| We are the World | | Print | |
| Written by Mel Libre |
| Monday, 01 February 2010 08:30 |
|
The recording was done immediately after the American Music Awards of 1985 – and one major artist had to skip the ceremonies to put out the vocals as a guide to the rest of the group. That artist was Michael Jackson, who together with Lionel Richie, composed the masterpiece that won four Grammys including Song of the Year, Record the Year, and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group. More importantly, it raised $63 million for the famine relief in Africa. It was a truly remarkable effort. Michael Jackson died on June 26, 2009 at the age of 50 and he was in the midst of preparing for 50 major sold out shows in London. Though he may have had many issues that tarnished his image, Jackson did his share to alleviate poverty, and at the same time developed God-given gifts in song and dance to perfection. God gives every individual a gift or gifts. Some discover this early (like Michael Jackson), while others much later in life. "John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." (John 3:27) For a moment, look at yourself in a mirror and reflect on what you are really good at. Have you used this to make someone feel better? It is in the sharing of our gifts that we become true Christians. "But rather give alms of such things as ye have; and, behold, all things are clean unto you." (Luke 11:41) |
In 1984, famine ravaged most of Africa and artists, initially in the United Kingdom, put out a single, "Do They Know It’s Christmas" to raise funds to save lives of people dying. US singer Harry Belafonte took the initiative in the other end of Atlantic inviting the hottest American acts of the time.