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This article originally ran on March 6, 2015.
Were republishing it now aroundthe releaseof the Netflix documentaryThe Greatest Night in Pop.
Nearly 40 years ago, a time came when more than 40 musicians heeded a certain call.
Though notable and good, its charitable work is not its legacy.
Bob GeldofYou know what this song is missing?
According to legend, the reason Prince decided not to participate is because Bob Geldof called him a creep.
Send your hate mail to the Boomtown Rats.
How dare you, Waylon?
In Joels case, it appears the pressure not to mess it up got to him.
He doesnt Joel it up theres not even one ach.
It was like he didnt get the memo that people were going to make a run at sound cool.
Give us not the News and not the weather.
Kenny LogginsIn the 80s, Kenny Logginss music seemed to be in every film soundtrack fromCaddyshacktoTop Gun.
But in this room, his success in the movie biz is overshadowed by bona-fide musical legends.
Hes nervous, and you’re able to tell.
He overcompensates, trying too hard when its his turn to sing.
Dan AykroydPeople really, really liked the Blues Brothers in the 80s.
Otherwise, Dr. Raymond Stantz would not have been invited.
Bette MidlerHow did these two legends not get solos?
How were these two given essentially the same role as Dan Akyroyd?
We are putting them this low out of protest.
Al JarreauThese two got solos?!
You dont need Bette Davis eyes to see thats effed.
Bob DylanBob Dylan, as we know, does not like when singers add extra notes to songs.
Sheila E.Sucks that Prince couldnt come, but Sheila E.s cool.
They couldnt even let him stand behind Hall when Hall took his solo.
Its a shame she was given such a boring part of the song to sing.
This could have been a great moment for the Acid Queen, but instead she was sorely underutilized.
Daryl HallHall does a solid job really Hall & Oatesing the melody.
He represents the midpoint of the soloists.
Everyone below him did a really good job; everyone above, not so much.
The Jackson 5 (other than Michael)The Jacksons appearance gave the thing a real family vibe.
La Toya JacksonIf this were released today, #LaToyasHeadband would be trending.
The Pointer SistersThe female harmonies were definitely better than the male ones.
You could say theyre onpoint, but you shouldnt.
The bandLets hear it for the band.
Special shout-out to the dude from Toto on synths.
At least he got to sing a line, though.
His voice sounds nice, though!
Not only that, but Rogers nails his solo and generally seems like the person having the most fun.
Diana RossLook, Diana Ross is Diana Ross: You know shes going to bring it.
His verifiable musical genius surely serves as the backbone of this song.
And he had to wrangle all these monsters.
That being said, you dont break the top ten for waving a baton around.
Lindsey BuckinghamTheres magical Fleetwood Mac dust floating around that studio, and its all coming from Lindsey Buckinghams hair.
(These were theEraserheadyears.)
God, Warwick sounds great here.
Not as look-at-me as her fellow top ten, but undeniably great.
Her tone mustve raised $8 million alone.
Huey LewisHe sounds so good, its almost worth him dragging the News along.
You feel the power of love.
Lionel RichieRichie wrote the song or a least the melody (as its contested who did what).
Richie recruited Michael Jackson.
Richie sounds smooth as hell.
Richie does this:
7.
Bruce SpringsteenThe Boss really brings his A game here.
Look at those neck veins!
James IngramJames Ingram, people.
Ingram goes toe-to-toe with Ray Charles, singing a call-and-response, and he comes out on top.
He gives it everything hes got and a little bit more.
He sings like this is really his one chance to be remembered, because it was.
Its time for a James Ingram comeback!
Lauper comes into the song with a ferocious appeal for change.
Her passion is electrifying.
the songs single most exciting moment.
Stevie WonderIt has to be Stevie.
Stevie Wonder was the first artist asked by Richie and Rogers (after Belafonte asked them).
The two Rs felt Wonder would instantly bring credibility to the project, and they were right.
The melody and especially the rhythm of the vocal remove a lot of the inherent cheesiness.
And if that wasnt enough, he also reportedly lightened the mood.
Stevie, you are our world.
