Either you experienced first-hand the global phenomena of “We Are The World” or you’ve heard the song at some point over the past 39 years, but do you know how the assemblage of the greatest pop stars of the day, vocalists and musicians, came to be for this once in a lifetime event? This is the story behind Netflix’s THE GREATEST NIGHT IN POP. It’s the untold story of “We Are The World.” Check out the official trailer now.
On March 7, 1985, one of the most legendary recordings of all time was released – “We Are the World”. Winner of four Grammy Awards including Record of the Year. #1 on the record charts. More than 20 million copies sold. The first single to be certified multiple platinum and with Quadruple Platinum certification. “We Are the World” raised more than $60 million for famine and medical relief in Africa through the non-profit USA for Africa, work that continues today, 39 years later, throughout Africa and the United States. “We Are the World” was the tip of the spear (along with Bob Geldof and Band-Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas” released on December 10, 1984) for shining a light and taking action to aid the impoverished and starving. But what happened on January 28, 1985, after the American Music Awards to bring together 46 vocalists, 10 musicians, and Quincy Jones as a conductor?
Convening at A&M Studios (now owned by the Jim Henson Company), many arriving straight from the American Music Awards ceremony, each artist “checked their egos at the door and recorded a song to benefit African famine relief that would alter global pop culture history. THE GREATEST NIGHT IN POP chronicles the massive undertaking to assemble the world’s most impressive supergroup in a world before cell phones and email. That group of artists — led by the song’s co-writers and two of the most significant musicians of the 20th century — Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie — came from different worlds but united to record “We Are the World.” Featuring never-before-seen footage, the film details the early planning stages, including the writing sessions with Richie and Jackson, and goes inside the famed Henson Studios where “We Are the World” was recorded. Many of the artists who were there that legendary evening — Richie, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Loggins, Dionne Warwick, and Huey Lewis — reminisce alongside musicians, engineers, and production crew about one of the most storied nights in music history.”
Directed by Bao Nguyen, THE GREATEST NIGHT IN POP is produced by Julia Nottingham, Lionel Richie, Bruce Eskowitz, Larry Klein, Harriet Sternberg, and George Hencken.
ONLY ON NETFLIX JANUARY 29
