Bruce Springsteen parked up across the street and wandered through the crowds at the gate to the studio. Inside, Michael Jackson was already recording his vocal parts as Billy Joel and Stevie Wonder paid their respects to Ray Charles, and Diana Ross jumped playfully into Bob Dylan’s lap.
And still they came: Paul Simon, Tina Turner, Dionne Warwick, Lindsey Buckingham, every major star in American music bar Madonna and Prince – all drawn to A&M Recording Studios to tape the USA for Africa single “We Are the World” on the evening of 28 January 1985, marshalled by one of the fundamental figures in US music and arguably the most successful producer of all time, Quincy Jones.
That Jones, who died on Sunday aged 91, took the producer’s chair at the most star-studded and ego-laden recording session in history – an experience he described as “like running through hell with gasoline drawers on” – is the ultimate testament to his elevated standing in the US music pantheon.
His production work on Jackson’s Off the Wall, Bad and Thriller, secured his position as one of the biggest and most powerful names in production. Thriller went on to become the bestselling album ever. By then, though, he’d already kicked down numerous barriers to become a groundbreaking focal presence in American pop culture.
Born in Chicago, this shrewd and streetwise jazz trumpeter and bandleader had vowed to conquer the music industry, onstage and off. In 1961, he rose through the ranks of Mercury Records to become its first African American vice-president at 28 years old, en route to producing and playing with Frank Sinatra and a vast array of jazz and soul greats.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 05, 2024 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة November 05, 2024 من The Independent.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Rugby's head injury issues underlined by Curry return
A hush descended on Allianz Stadium as an apparently unconscious Tom Curry received treatment from the medics while he lay prone on the Twickenham turf.
Sin City promises an even greater show as F1 returns
As fans trudged away from their expensive acquired seats on night one of the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, having seen just eight minutes of cars on track before “manhole gate”, one question sprung to mind: how could the sport come back for this?
FINDING NUNO
A return is a reminder of the day when Nuno wasn’t really Nuno.
Late strike helps resurgent Arsenal into WCL quarters
Renee Slegers allowed herself a moment to pump her firsts on the touchline.
Britain's borrowing surge may mean another tax rise
The latest public sector borrowing figures are enough to have anyone inside 11 Downing Street heading for the drinks cabinet.
TfL enlists Tokyo Metro to improve the Elizabeth line
Japan’s reliable railways are coming to London as Tokyo Metro takes over the operation of the Elizabeth line to make journeys more punctual.
No customer cash for water bosses' bonuses, says Ofwat
Nine water companies, including stricken Thames Water, have been stopped from using customer money to fund “undeserved” bonuses for top bosses worth £6.8m.
Labour firebrand who kept peace for Blair and Brown
Former deputy PM John Prescott was known for that punch but he was a prolier-than-thou crucial part of New Labour
pro-democracy Hong Kong activist Lai denies inciting hatred against China in trial
Pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai said yesterday he was against violence and had not sought to incite hatred against China and Hong Kong authorities by calling for protests to defend basic rights, speaking on his second day of testimony in a landmark national security trial.
Gaetz drops out of running for US attorney general role
Ex-congressman among most controversial of Trump allies