The Greatest Night in Pop documentary features Lionel Richie, Smokey Robinson, and many more
In celebration of the superstar-studded U.S.A. for Africa’s 1985 “We Are the World” performance, The Greatest Night in Pop documentary will be telling the untold story of what went down behind the scenes to create the beautiful, unique, and timeless song.
Netflix has compiled never before seen footage from the 46 artists that created the song, along with interviews from some of the artists present day to provide a firsthand look at the creation. Legends including Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Dylan will all be featured in The Greatest Night in Pop documentary.
Directed by Bao Nguyen, the doc includes interviews from Richie and Springsteen along with Smokey Robinson, Cyndi Lauper, Kenny Loggins, Dionne Warwick and Huey Lewis. Additionally, a few producers and crew members from the 1985 production also provide their thoughts and insights.
“The greatest artists of a generation came together to save some lives, but we only had one night to get this right,” says Richie in the trailer. “I received this call from Harry Belafonte, and he wanted to do some kind of song for famine relief in Africa. Basically what he said was, ‘I need you.’”
The legendary Belafonte called Richie directly to request a song to raise money for hunger relief. United Support of Artists for Africa (USA for Africa), an established nonprofit organization, would receive the single’s revenues. USA for Africa provides food and relief aid to starving people throughout Africa, especially Ethiopia, which was experiencing a famine at the time.
“We Are the World,” which was produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian, went on to raise more than $63 million for the cause. The song was honored with four Grammy Awards and an American Music Award.
Tune into the official Netflix trailer below for The Greatest Night in Pop documentary.