Prince famously didn’t seem within the star-studded 1985 charity single We Are the World. It featured a few of Hollywood’s A-listers like Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Diana Ross, Lionel Richie, Billy Joel, Paul Simon, and Bruce Springsteen.
The only ended up being probably the most profitable charity single in historical past, elevating $80 million since its launch. Nonetheless, Pince, who was additionally on the peak of his fame, was notably absent from the elite group of musicians. For years, folks couldn’t cease questioning why he turned down the chance.
The late singer’s long-time engineer, Susan Rogers, was current alongside Prince when he obtained a name from Quincy Jones, the monitor’s producer. Though he solely heard one aspect of the dialog whereas ready within the management room, he heard him declining the provide.
“It was an extended dialog. Prince mentioned, ‘Can I play guitar on it?’ They usually mentioned no,” Rogers mentioned, implying it was the explanation he turned down the chance. The recording was strategically held in the beginning of the 12 months because it was a number of weeks forward of the American Music Awards.
Since all of the artists had been in Los Angeles for the occasion, it was the right alternative to carry them beneath one roof and align their calendars for the recording. Prince was not solely an attendee but in addition went residence a winner, bagging three AMAs.
He additionally delivered an iconic model of his music Purple Rain that’s nonetheless hailed as one of the vital legendary units carried out at an award present. His epic efficiency made folks query the reviews that alleged that he was too sick to attend the We Are the World session.
Nonetheless, the story was later proved to be a rumor concocted by his co-manager, Bob Cavallo, to cowl for the singer bailing on a charity gig.