Behind the Scenes of 'We Are the World': The Untold Story

The Secret Agenda

In a recent revelation, Sheila E. has shed light on the true motives behind her inclusion in the historic 'We Are the World' charity single. The iconic singer and drummer, now 66, disclosed in a candid interview on 'Rolling Stone Music Now' that her participation in the monumental event was orchestrated with a specific goal in mind - to enlist the legendary Prince in the project.

Sheila E Claims We Are the World Producers Only Invited Her In Hopes of Getting Prince

According to Sheila E., the producers, Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones, persistently urged her to reach out to Prince and persuade him to join the star-studded lineup. She recalled, 'Lionel and Quincy kept saying, ‘Why don’t you call Prince?' and added, 'Everyone took turns trying to get me to call him back and have him come down… I just thought, ‘Wow, they were all my friends. That’s cold-blooded.'

Sheila E Claims We Are the World Producers Only Invited Her In Hopes of Getting Prince

Unveiling the Consequences

Despite the relentless efforts of the producers to secure Prince's involvement through Sheila E., their endeavors proved futile. As a result, the designated solo spot originally intended for Prince was ultimately reassigned to the accomplished Huey Lewis. This revelation, as highlighted in the Netflix documentary 'The Greatest Night in Pop,' debunks the circulating TikTok conspiracy theory that speculated Michael Jackson's dissatisfaction with Lewis' performance.

Sheila E Claims We Are the World Producers Only Invited Her In Hopes of Getting Prince

Legacy and Impact

The enduring impact of 'We Are the World' extends far beyond the realm of music. This 1985 charity single, spearheaded by the supergroup USA for Africa, garnered immense success and acclaim, selling over 20 million copies. Notably, the proceeds from the single contributed to raising over $75 million to combat poverty in Africa. Furthermore, the song clinched three Grammy Awards in 1986, including the prestigious Song of the Year and Record of the Year accolades.

Moreover, 'We Are the World' set a precedent for subsequent charity single supergroups, inspiring other musical acts to rally together for humanitarian causes. From Hear ‘N Aid's 'Stars' to recent initiatives like Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande's 'Stuck with U' and the Live Lounge Allstars' rendition of Foo Fighters' 'Times Like These,' the legacy of 'We Are the World' continues to reverberate through the spirit of philanthropy in the music industry.