United Support of Artists for Africa (USA for AFRICA) came together in 1985 to make an album to help the millions of suffering people in Africa and the United States. All profits realized from the sale of this album “We Are The World” were contributed to USA for Africa who pledged to use these funds to address immediate emergency needs in the USA and Africa, including food and medicine, and to help the African people become self sufficient.

Harry Belefonte originally initiated the idea for a fundraising effort. His manager, Ken Kragen, suggested the multi artist approach. The song was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and in all, 45 musicians attended the recording session on January 28, 1985. Lead vocals were rotated among 21 performers, including Dan Aykroyd, Harry Belefonte, Lindsey Buckingham, Kim Carnes, Ray Charles, Bob Dylan, Sheila E, Bob Geldof, Hall & Oates, James Ingram, Jackie Jackson, La Toya Jackson, Marlon Jackson, Michael Jackson, Randy Jackson, Tito Jackson, Al Jarreau, Waylon Jennings, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Huey Lewis & The News, Kenny Loggins, Bette Midler, Willie Nelson, Jeffrey Osborne, Steve Perry, The Pointer Sisters, Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Diana Ross, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, and Stevie Wonder.

Columbia Records donated their manufacturing and distribution costs to the effort. ‘We Are The World’ hit stores on Tuesday, March 7, 1985, and all 800,000 copies sold out before the end of the weekend. It became the U.S. # 1 single on April 13th and held that position for 4 weeks. The song went on to win 1985 Grammys for Song of the Year, Record of the Year and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group. The single ultimately sold 7.5 million copies in the U.S.
Including revenues from the single, the album, the video and related merchandise, ‘We Are The World’ raised about $50 million for famine relief.~This is the 12” single LP album for ‘We Are The World’ that was released on March 7, 1985. The album cover itself does have creases on it as can be seen in the pictures but no tears in the cover. It includes pictures of the various artists on the back as they worked to put this song together. The words of ‘We Are The World’ are also included on the back. The LP record is in Excellent shape with just a couple of VERY light minor marks that do not affect the playing at all and are very hard to see. On the reverse side of this recording is the song ‘Grace’ by Quincy Jones and Jeremy Lubbock