Quote of the Day: “When I was born, I was colored. I soon became a Negro. Not long after that I was black. Most recently I was African-American. It seems we’re on a roll here. But I am still first and foremost in search of freedom.” Harry Belafonte
Like Arthur Ashe, Bill Russell, Rafer Johnson, and Muhammad Ali, Harry Belafonte made his name in one industry, but he made his mark in making the world a better place by using his voice and his resources to support civil rights and social justice throughout the world. He was a close friend to Martin Luther King, Jr. If he wasn’t marching with King, he was helping King by providing financial support for King’s causes. He never stopped working as a voice against racial and social injustice. One of his biggest impacts was We are the World as documented below.
in December 1984, the musician and activist Harry Belafonte began to think about an American benefit single for African famine relief. He enlisted fundraiser Ken Kragen to help bring the vision to reality. The duo contacted several musicians, and enlisted Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie to write the song; they completed the writing seven weeks after the release of “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, and only one night before “We Are the World’s” first recording session, on January 21, 1985. The historic event brought together some of the era’s best-known musicians.
The song was released on March 7, 1985, as the first single from the album by Columbia Records. A worldwide commercial success, it topped music charts throughout the world and became the fastest-selling U.S. pop single in history. “We Are the World” received a Quadruple Platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America, becoming the first single to be certified multi-platinum.
Awarded numerous honors—including four Grammy Awards, one American Music Award, and a People’s Choice Award—the song was promoted with a music video, a VHS, a special edition magazine, a simulcast, and several books, posters, and shirts. The promotion and merchandise helped “We Are the World” raise more than $63 million ($156 million today)[dubious – discuss] for humanitarian aid in Africa and the United States.
See my Videos of the Day: “Harry Belafonte vs. Animal” of Muppet fame in a drum duet. And “We are the World”
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Orchid of the Day: The Life and Times of Harry Belafonte
Onion of the Day: No onion today.
Question of the Day: We all have the same 24 hours in each day. Why is it that someone like Harry Belafonte or Muhammad Ali can make a greater impact on the world than others?
Video of the Day: Harry Belafonte and Animal in a drum duet. One of my favorites.
Bonus Video of the Day: We are the World