who was in the original we are the world
We Are the World
The final night of recording was held on January 28 , 1985 , at A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood . Michael Jackson arrived at 9 pm , earlier than the other artists , to record his solo section and record a vocal chorus by himself . He was subsequently joined in the recording studio by the remaining USA for Africa artists , who included Ray Charles , Billy Joel , Diana Ross , Cyndi Lauper , Bruce Springsteen and Smokey Robinson . Also in attendance were five of Jackson 's siblings : Jackie , La Toya , Marlon , Randy and Tito . Many of the participants came straight from an American Music Award ceremony , which had been held that same night . Invited musician Prince , who would have had a part in which he and Michael Jackson sang to each other , did not attend the recording session . The reason given for his absence has varied . One newspaper claimed that the singer did not want to record with other acts . Another report , from the time of `` We Are the World '' 's recording , suggested that the musician did not want to partake in the session because organizer Bob Geldof called him a `` creep '' . Prince did , however , donate an exclusive track , `` 4 The Tears In Your Eyes '' , for the We Are the World album . In all , more than 45 of America 's top musicians participated in the recording , and another 50 had to be turned away . Upon entering the recording studio , the musicians were greeted by a sign pinned to the door which read , `` Please check your egos at the door . '' They were also greeted by Stevie Wonder , who proclaimed that if the recording was not completed in one take , he and Ray Charles , two blind men , would drive everybody home . I 
The final night of recording was held on January 28 , 1985 , at A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood . Michael Jackson arrived at 9 pm , earlier than the other artists , to record his solo section and record a vocal chorus by himself . He was subsequently joined in the recording studio by the remaining USA for Africa artists , who included Ray Charles , Billy Joel , Diana Ross , Cyndi Lauper , Bruce Springsteen and Smokey Robinson . Also in attendance were five of Jackson 's siblings : Jackie , La Toya , Marlon , Randy and Tito . Many of the participants came straight from an American Music Award ceremony , which had been held that same night . Invited musician Prince , who would have had a part in which he and Michael Jackson sang to each other , did not attend the recording session . The reason given for his absence has varied . One newspaper claimed that the singer did not want to record with other acts . Another report , from the time of `` We Are the World '' 's recording , suggested that the musician did not want to partake in the session because organizer Bob Geldof called him a `` creep '' . Prince did , however , donate an exclusive track , `` 4 The Tears In Your Eyes '' , for the We Are the World album . In all , more than 45 of America 's top musicians participated in the recording , and another 50 had to be turned away . Upon entering the recording studio , the musicians were greeted by a sign pinned to the door which read , `` Please check your egos at the door . '' They were also greeted by Stevie Wonder , who proclaimed that if the recording was not completed in one take , he and Ray Charles , two blind men , would drive everybody home . I
Michael Jackson.  He was subsequently joined by Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen and Smokey Robinson, Jackie , La Toya , Marlon , Randy and Tito, as well as Stevie Wonder.
Michael Jackson arrived at 9 pm , earlier than the other artists , to record his solo section and record a vocal chorus by himself . He was subsequently joined in the recording studio by the remaining USA for Africa artists , who included Ray Charles , Billy Joel , Diana Ross , Cyndi Lauper , Bruce Springsteen and Smokey Robinson . Jackie , La Toya , Marlon , Randy and Tito . They were also greeted by Stevie Wonder , who proclaimed that if the recording was not completed in one take , he and Ray Charles , two blind men , would drive everybody home .
Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Cyndi Lauper, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, and  Stevie Wonder were all in the "We Are the World" recording.
Michael Jackson arrived at 9 pm , earlier than the other artists , to record his solo section and record a vocal chorus by himself . He was subsequently joined in the recording studio by the remaining USA for Africa artists , who included Ray Charles , Billy Joel , Diana Ross , Cyndi Lauper , Bruce Springsteen and Smokey Robinson . They were also greeted by Stevie Wonder , who proclaimed that if the recording was not completed in one take , he and Ray Charles , two blind men , would drive everybody home .