who sang first line of we are the world

Lionel Richie sang the first line of the original 1985 charity single “We Are the World.”

Quick Scoop

• The original “We Are the World” was recorded in January 1985 by the supergroup USA for Africa to raise money for famine relief.

• In the studio version, Lionel Richie opens the song with the very first solo line, followed by Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon, Kenny Rogers, and others.

• Later anniversary versions and remakes (like the 2010 “We Are the World 25 for Haiti”) feature different opening singers, but for the famous 1985 hit, Richie is the one who starts it.

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