Notes on The Greatest Night in Pop

A few notes on The Greatest Night in Pop, the documentary about recording “We Are the World.”

1. Who wrote the song? Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.
2. Who hosted the American Music Awards that same evening? Lionel Richie. Then he went to the recording session.
3. Who produced the recording? Quincy Jones.
4. Who didn’t show up? Prince. Huey Lewis sang the solo they had held for him.
5. Who put everyone at ease? Stevie Wonder. He also helped Bob Dylan find his way through his solo.
6. Who walked out? Waylon Jennings, during the debate about adding a phrase in Swahili.
7. Who was the last to leave? Diana Ross. She didn’t want the night to end.

More on these moments in Netflix’s account of the documentary.