USA for Africa

USA for Africa
Background information
Also known as	United Support of Artists for Africa
Origin	United States
Years active	1985-present
Website	USAforAfrica.org
Past members	See Performers

USA for Africa (United Support of Artists for Africa) was the name under which 44 predominantly U.S. artists, led by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, recorded the hit single "We Are the World" in 1985. The song was a U.S. and UK number one for the collective in April of that year. This super group was inspired by Bob Geldof's Band Aid.

The considerable profits from the enterprise went to the USA for Africa Foundation, which used them for the relief of famine and disease in Africa and specifically to 1983–1985 famine in Ethiopia.

USA for Africa also held a benefit event, Hands Across America, in which approximately seven million people held hands in a human chain for fifteen minutes along a path across the continental United States. Participants paid ten dollars to stand in line and the money raised was used to fight hunger and homelessness in Africa.

The combined revenues raised from the sales of "We Are the World" and Hands Across America was almost $100 million.

We Are the World album

A We Are the World album was also released, with the following tracks.

1. "We Are the World" - (USA for Africa)
2. "If Only for the Moment, Girl" - (Steve Perry)
3. "Just a Little Closer" - (The Pointer Sisters)
4. "Trapped" - (Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band)
5. "Tears Are Not Enough" - (Northern Lights)
6. "4 the Tears in Your Eyes" - (Prince & The Revolution)
7. "Good for Nothing" - (Chicago)
8. "Total Control" - (Tina Turner)
9. "A Little More Love" - (Kenny Rogers)
10. "Trouble in Paradise" - (Huey Lewis and the News)

Performers

See also

• Band Aid
• Charity record
• Charity supergroup
• Northern Lights
• Forente Artister Norwegian charity group of artists raising money in 1985 for Africa.
• Hear 'n Aid – a similar collaboration of heavy metal/hard rock artists in 1985 to raise money for famine relief in Africa.

External links

• USA for Africa official site
• Memories and Reflections: USA for Africa's Experiences and Practices: The First 20 Years