"We Are the World" to Premiere at Olympics
The Video Will Air on NBC During the Opening Ceremony on Friday, February 12th
By JULIE BRAYTON
Updated 6:45 AM PDT, Thu, Feb 11, 2010
On Friday, February 12th, the all-star, 25th anniversary remake of "We Are the World" will debut on NBC as part of the network's coverage of the Opening Ceremony of the Winter Olympics.
Producer Quincy Jones and singer/songwriter Lionel Richie are working together to try to make lightning strike twice, to re-record "We Are the World."
At first Jones and Richie were content to let the original recording of "We Are the World" stand, and not do a re-make for the 25th anniversary.
Then came Haiti.
"It was decided by the earthquake. There was a hesitancy before that, then the earthquake happened," according to Quincy Jones, music producer.
"It's 25 years, what are you going to do? The answer was, we've already done it," said Lionel Richie, singer/songwriter.
"And I don't believe in doing something that works, two times," said Quincy Jones, music producer.
Making a video of the recording session, this time with a bigger and more eclectic all star cast, was a bit easier than during the first go-round.
"When we did "We Are the World" (in 1985) we had four cameras. We have enough technology in that room where you would think we had a full-blown motion picture going in there," according to Lionel Richie, singer/songwriter.
Jones and Richie hope this version, existing in the age of video downloads and YouTube clips, will help raise money for the cause.
Following its world premiere on NBC, the new version of the song, and the video, will be available to buy through a variety of on-line and retail partners.
The song is also expected to air on other networks throughout the world.
First Published: Feb 10, 2010 6:14 PM PDT
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