By Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Africanews
Published on 2024-01-20 15:49:43
Grammy-winning artist Lionel Richie recently reflected on the 1985 recording session of ‘We Are the World,’ a charity song he co-created with the legendary Michael Jackson. In an upcoming Netflix documentary titled ‘The Greatest Night in Pop,’ Richie provides exclusive insights into the making of the iconic song and the star-studded night it brought together.
Richie fondly refers to Michael Jackson as ‘a Martian,’ expressing his admiration for the late singer’s unique creative abilities. “I’ve known Michael since he was about nine, ten, 12. But we didn’t create together until that moment. It was the first time we ever created together, and it was amazing because I consider anybody creating Martians. He’s a Martian,” Richie said.
The documentary features never-before-seen footage of the recording session, showcasing music icons such as Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, Ray Charles, Cyndi Lauper, Dionne Warwick, and Huey Lewis. Richie explained that managing the relationships of all the gathered stars was partially his responsibility. He recalled the impact of Ray Charles walking into the room and the importance of enlisting the right players for the event.
Reflecting on the collaboration with Michael Jackson, Richie highlighted the seamless creative process they shared. “The writing wasn’t difficult because we both knew what we had to do and where we wanted to go. It’s like basketball players – they know how to play basketball. We just had to figure out where the right words, what’s the right melody? And having him as a partner was everything.”
Richie’s documentary promises an intimate look at the creation of ‘We Are the World,’ showcasing the talent and camaraderie that made it an unforgettable night in music history. The documentary will premiere on Netflix later this month, offering fans a unique opportunity to revisit this iconic moment in pop music.
