USA for Africa

The USA for Africa project was spearheaded in 1984 by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie to raise money and public awareness to alleviate famine and hunger in Africa, specifically to Ethiopia in 1985.  Jackson and Richie co-wrote the song "We Are the World" and, together with producer, Quincy Jones, recruited recording artists from every type of music towards the cause.

The USA for Africa project also started the event Hands Across America, in which about seven million people held hands for fifteen minutes in a human chain across the continental United States.  The single and album from "We Are the World" and the Hands Across America event raised $100 million to benefit the people of Africa.

Here are the performers from that landmark project:

Dan Aykroyd
Harry Belafonte
Lindsey Buckingham
Kim Carnes
Ray Charles
Bob Dylan
Sheila E.
Bob Geldof
Hall & Oates
James Ingram
Jackie Jackson
LaToya Jackson
Marlon Jackson
Michael Jackson
Randy Jackson
Tito Jackson
Al Jarreau
Waylon Jennings
Billy Joel
Cyndi Lauper
Huey Lewis and the News
Kenny Loggins
Bette Midler
Willie Nelson
Jeffrey Osborne
David Paich of Toto
Steve Perry
The Pointer Sisters
Steve Porcaro of Toto
Lionel Richie
Smokey Robinson
Kenny Rogers
Diana Ross
Paul Simon
Bruce Springsteen
Tina Turner
Dionne Warwick
Stevie Wonder