Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones are planning a 25th anniversary re-recording of We Are The World. Photo / Getty Images
Lionel Richie and Quincy Jones are to re-record charity single We Are the World.
The duo – who were behind the original 1985 single – are working on a new version of the track for its 25th anniversary, with all proceeds going toward aid relief for victims of the two
devastating earthquakes which have hit Haiti in the last ten days.
The single and accompanying video will be recorded at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles on February 1, the day after Grammy awards, and the cast list is expected to include artists nominated and performing at the event.
A source said: "We expect that, as with the original, everyone will leave their egos at the door. Most of the Grammy nominees are expected to stay for an extra day after the show to record the single, and some are expected to fly in especially for it."
Usher and John Legend have already been asked to take part, and are expected to be joined by other singing stars including Wyclef Jean, Sting, Fergie, Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys and Justin Timberlake.
The original 1985 single was the brainchild of Quincy, Lionel and Michael Jackson and featured performers including Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan, Cyndi Lauper and Billy Joel.
The single is also expected to pay tribute to the late King of Pop, who died suddenly in June last year, and he may even appear on the final record, as he had hoped to include We Are The World in his This Is It comeback shows and a version of it was reportedly recorded in rehearsals for the show.
Reality TV mogul Simon Cowell is also planning a single in aid of Haiti, and U2 have recorded a song with Jay-Z which they are hoping to release to raise funds for aid in the disaster stricken state.
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