After the 14-month creation process of the album ‘Bad’, Jackson and Jones parted ways in 1987. But not before they pull their weight together for a good cause.
At the end of 1984, Jones was approached by Harry Belafonte and manager Ken Kragen to direct the recording of a benefit single to combat famine in Ethiopia.
More than 20 pop and rock stars confirm their participation. Tina Turner, Bruce Springsteen, Hall & Oates, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder, Cyndi Lauper, and Bob Dylan, to name a few. And thanks to Quincy Jones, also Dionne Warwick, his old friend Ray Charles, and Michael Jackson.
“We have the cast, now the script,” Jones is said to have said. The star team is here, now a worthy song. That task is assigned to Jackson and Lionel Richie. Their inspiring anthem was completed one day before the recordings on January 8, 1985.
