The Greatest Night In Pop

[DanaK]

Discuss

[DanaK]

Interview with the filmmaker https://deadline.com/2024/01/we-are-the-world-documentary-sundance-1235797832/

[Shrek]

If you haven't already watched this then I would definitely add it to your must watch list, Prince for one does not come out of it well. 

[Raja]

On 2/6/2024 at 12:12 PM, Shrek said:

If you haven't already watched this then I would definitely add it to your must watch list, Prince for one does not come out of it well. 

It does fit what he showed of himself in Purple Rain. It would be later after Larry Graham became his mentor. While the hits were not longer as big they did lead to his legend status even with only a three year hot period.

When Stevie Wonder almost spiked the schedule and Waylon Jennings walking out was the danger point.  Ray Charles as the elder nudging Quincy to take charge

[Shrek]

Madonna is another one who is notable by her absence, her advisors probably said the same as Cindy Lauper's and whereas Cindy ignored them Madonna probably went with what they said.

[jah1986]

I really enjoyed this. It's interesting how some people came off looking better and others look worse. Who knew all the work that went into making one song.

Stevie Wonder coaching Bob Dylan was great. Al Jarreau being drunk was hilarious. Sheila E is still bitter. Loved Smokey Robinson being the one to rein Michael Jackson in was great.

Kenny Rogers driving himself to the studio was nice. Just a fun project.

[DanaK]

I enjoyed this as well. Lionel Richie’s commentary on being at Michael Jackson’s house working on the song and imitating Michael was hilarious. I remember when this was happening and I recall listening to the song on the car radio with my aunt when it was first released and either that day or a little later we bought the album. I’ve seen previous BTS stuff about this event, but I think this doc covered things in more detail from various people involved. Definitely chaotic, but they made it work

Edited June 30 by DanaK

[DanaK]

The In Loving Memory card at the end of the participating artists and a couple of others who have since died was sad

[Bastet]

I've loved this song since it came out, but I never bothered to learn anything about how it came together.  My word!  I cannot believe they pulled it off in such a short span of time.  And that they got everyone to skip the AMA parties and come stay up all night recording in a stinky studio instead.  My mind is boggled.

This was just plain fun to watch, learning so many details about what went on.  (I knew about Waylon Jennings walking out, but not that Huey Lewis's solo was a replacement for Prince or most other things revealed.)  And while it's uncomfortable watching/hearing Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie imitating him is hilarious.

The interviews captured what a memorable experience this was for the artists.

It's hard to pick a favorite moment, but everyone serenading Harry Belafonte has to be a contender. 

[sundaytunes]

Ngl, kinda surprised Madonna wasn't part of it. She was huge in the 80s right? Anyone know why she didn't participate? Seems like a missed opportunity for her.

[Bastet]

4 minutes ago, sundaytunes said:

Ngl, kinda surprised Madonna wasn't part of it. She was huge in the 80s right? Anyone know why she didn't participate? Seems like a missed opportunity for her.

That was mentioned near the beginning -- Ken Kragen, the superstar agent Harry Belafonte asked to gather the artists, wanted Cyndi Lauper instead of Madonna (why he thought it had to be one or the other, I don't know, but I assume it's that the idea was they had very much the same audience, and spending two slots on that one audience instead of drawing in as many different audiences as possible wasn't a good idea).  One of his execs argued it should be Madonna, but he wanted Cyndi.

[Raja]

On 10/8/2024 at 6:41 PM, sundaytunes said:

Ngl, kinda surprised Madonna wasn't part of it. She was huge in the 80s right? Anyone know why she didn't participate? Seems like a missed opportunity for her.

Timing I guess, by 1985 Madonna was on her second album and still just a dance music artist with the potential to rise up to be a cultural icon. Cyndi Lauper's break out image from Girls Just Want To Have Fun was next level, along with the elder established artist needing spots would trump Like a Virgin for a few more years

[Vanderboom]

My favorite parts were Lionel Richie's valiant attempts to act like his Michael Jackson stories weren't crazy.

I had seen bits and pieces of the behind-the-scenes stuff for "We Are the World," but I was glad to learn more about just how much work it took.