What happened to the artists of 'We Are the World'?

On January 28, 1985, a group of mostly American celebrities came together to do something for a good cause. They worked to raise funds for the 'USA for Africa' project that fought hunger and diseases on the continent.

45 superstars embraced the cause and joined together in a studio. They released the single 'We Are The World', composed by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones.

The Jackson family was present with the figure of their most famous son, Michael but also, as part of the choir, with the siblings La Toya, Janet (photo), Tito, and Randy.

Together, the song, the album, and the video earned about 55 million dollars. 'We Are the World' topped numerous national music charts and became the fastest-selling single in pop music history up to that point.

Time passed, and some stars who were part of the recording are no longer among us. Others, however, continue with their careers in full swing. Check it out in this gallery!

In his 70+ years, this artist has accumulated several awards, albums, television specials, and film appearances. In 2022, he was inducted into the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame and received the Gershwin Popular Song Award from the Library of Congress.

The King of Pop came to this world to make history. His indisputable legacy remains current, as he continues to inspire new generations. He died at a young age though. Michael Jackson was 50 years old when he passed away in Los Angeles on June 25, 2009.

Known as 'The Piano Man', but without any hair these days, Billy Joel has continued to be innovative. The New York native has been playing one show a month at Madison Square Garden since January 2014. This way, he's become the venue's first music franchise.

An icon of a generation, Lauper continues her musical and activist career. She created a foundation called True Colors, which promotes acceptance for gay and transgender people.

Stevie Wonder has surpassed the 70-year barrier. He started his career very young, at 11 years old, and since then, he has found in music his source of life and strength to fight for humanitarian and social causes. He won 25 Grammy Awards throughout his career. In 2022, he received the title of Doctor of Humane Letters, awarded by Wayne State University in Michigan.

In her 80s, she is one of the best-selling artists of all time. The rock diva retired in 2009 after completing her tour: 'Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour'. However, from time to time, she gives a special appearance with her own, typical grace.

Born in 1941 and considered one of the 100 best guitarists in the world by Rolling Stone magazine, today he leads a quiet life, having performed his last tour in 2018. Paul Simon sold his song catalog to Sony Music Publishing in 2021 and is living a good life with the money it made him. 

Though past 80, Diana Ross is a legend who continues her career. The singer and actress has sold over 100 million records worldwide in the past decades. She closed the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee commemoration shows in 2022. In that same year, she also performed at the Glastonbury Festival.

Dionne Warwick has had one of the longest and most successful singing careers in world music history. She is not overcome by age (1940) and continues to tour around the world. In 2019, she won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Country music reference Willie Nelson can't get enough and continues to bring his music to his fans. In 2022, at the age of 89, he released his seventy-second studio album: 'A Beautiful Time'.

Bruce Springsteen began his career in the late 1960s, and with his talent and charisma, he received several important awards, such as twenty Grammys, four American Music Awards, and an Oscar. In 2023, he is touring internationally with the E Street Band.

Bob Dylan is synonymous with popular culture: musician, writer, actor, and painter... He is multitalented. In 2016, he won the Nobel Prize in Literature for his lyrics and lifetime achievement.

Throughout his career, Huey Lewis has always been torn between music and acting. In 2020, he released what could be his last album, 'Weather'. This is because the lead singer of the band Huey Lewis and the News is losing his hearing.

Singer of several hits in the 1970s and 1980s, Kim Carnes gained fame by partnering with big names of the time. To this day, she is remembered for her work with Kenny Rogers and Barbara Streisand.

Kenny Loggins is known as the king of soundtracks, and he's had several hits throughout his career. Successful films such as 'Top Gun' (1986) and 'Top Gun: Maverick' (2022) were part of his trajectory.

With John Oates, he formed the duo Hall & Oates, which gained a legion of fans since releasing its debut album in 1972. In 2022, Daryl Hall released the compilation 'Before After', with works from his solo career.