# Spin off: How many artists do you recognize from the video/song "We Are the World"? (Video inside) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 10, 2010, 4:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400 "2010-01-10T16:49:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![TWDuke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@TWDuke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TWDuke)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/41 "2010-01-11T06:43:18Z")
A lot of us were wondering about Dan Aykroyd even then. He was of course part of the Blues Brothers, who had a number-one live album and a hit movie with a top-40 soundtrack album. That was all behind him\* when this video was made, but it’s the best justification I can come up with. - Although the Blues Brothers keep coming back, sort of, in 1985 the act seemed as dead as John Belushi. ---
**Author:** ![torie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@torie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/torie)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 7:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/42 "2010-01-11T07:19:43Z")
I’m typing this as I’m watching. Lionel Richie. Stevie Wonder. Paul Simon Kenny Loggins No Idea Tina Turner Billy Joel Michael Jackson Diana Ross Dionne Warwick Willie Nelson No Idea Bruce Springsteen Michael Someone Steve Motherfucking Perry. Hall from Hall and Oates. Michael Jackson again Huey Lewis Cyndee Lauper No clue who the blond lady is. Oates is in the crowd Bob Dylan I see LaToya Jackson I see Dan Akroyd and Harry? Belafonte Ray Charles! Stevie and Bruce are yelling back and forth. Bette Midler. Some black dude in a white shirt. No Idea. Ray Charles again. Fun! Let’s do “Do They Know It’s Christmas” next. ---
**Author:** ![Tinkertoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f19dbf/32.png) [@Tinkertoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tinkertoy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/43 "2010-01-11T07:45:18Z")
I’m 51 and I recognized every one of them. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/44 "2010-01-11T07:49:36Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I knew one guy was Hall or Oates, but I didn’t know which so I claim a half credit for him. > > 14 and a half. > > Was that Quincy Jones conducting? If so, 15 and a half. > > And I kept wondering “Who us the geeky guy in the back next to Belafonte?” The best I could come up with was Jackson Brown, and I was pretty sure it wasn’t him. But Dan Ackroyd??!! Gimme a break. > > And who did Kenny Rogers blow to get into that group? Nobody. [Ken Kragen](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ken_Kragen) was responsible for putting together USA For Africa. He had been contacted by Harry Belafonte, who wanted to do an anti-hunger project. He had been Belafonte’s agent, and also managed Kenny Rogers and Lionel Richie. They were contacted to appear in the single early on. In fact, artist response was so overwhelming, some 50 artists had to be turned away besides the ones who participated. ---
**Author:** ![minlokwat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/minlokwat/32/2844_2.png) [@minlokwat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minlokwat)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/45 "2010-01-11T11:44:38Z")
17 / 18 at the time the video came out. Without looking at the video again which was in _ad nauseum_ rotation at the time, I could name the players from recall alone. But I came into post what has always been my biggest gripe about the video; i.e., WTF is **Kim Carnes** doing there? There are definitely some questionable choices which is to be expected (Akryrod, LaToya, etc.) but Kim Carnes??? She had one hit, ONE frickin’ hit- and I guess Lionel, Michael and Quincy when coming up with the starting line-up, figured: “Oh, she has to be in there. 25 years from now, with a long string of hits to her name, we’d look like fools if we don’t include her.” I always thought Madonna would have been a better choice and Prince should have made the cut though I’m sure he would have had the good graces to tell them to F-off. ---
**Author:** ![SurrenderDorothy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/surrenderdorothy/32/1221_2.png) [@SurrenderDorothy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SurrenderDorothy)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/46 "2010-01-11T12:13:43Z")
6 or 7 for sure. A few more that I was like, “I think that could be…” but not positive. Quite a few I had absolutely no clue about. People were really strange-looking back then. Lots of goofy hair. There were some that I would be able to match up with names if I had a list in front of me, but a lot of total strangers. And there were definitely a fair few of the ones I eventually recognized that I would have recognized right away in their current form, but not as easily 25 years younger. And a few I wasn’t sure about that I would certainly recognize now. I’m 18. Who is the guy with the curly brown hair and the gravelly voice? He sings at 2:15 in the video and I think he’s hilarious. eta: the guys at 2:32 and 2:35 are pretty hilarious, too. Nice hairdos. ---
**Author:** ![ErinPuff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dbc845/32.png) [@ErinPuff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ErinPuff)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/47 "2010-01-11T12:27:14Z")
I’m 23 (meaning this song is older than I am) and almost completely out of touch with pop culture. I recognized 6 of the singers: Stevie Wonder Paul Simon Michael Jackson Willie Nelson Cyndi Lauper Bob Dylan Time to put some catchy music on to get that shit out of my head. ---
**Author:** ![amarone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@amarone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarone)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 12:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/48 "2010-01-11T12:37:48Z")
> [@SurrenderDorothy](#): > > Who is the guy with the curly brown hair and the gravelly voice? He sings at 2:15 in the video and I think he’s hilarious. Bruce Springsteen. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/49 "2010-01-11T17:13:41Z")
I’m 42, I recognized 17 soloists, and maybe 5 or 6 background singers. Jeez, does that bring back memories. > [@SurrenderDorothy](#): > > I’m 18. > > Who is the guy with the curly brown hair and the gravelly voice? He sings at 2:15 in the video and I think he’s hilarious. Get off my lawn! ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/50 "2010-01-11T17:48:13Z")
Somewhere around 17. Some by voice alone (Bob Dylan). the soloists I definitely didn’t recognize were Ingram, Billy Joel, Kim Carnes, Daryl Hall. Wondering why Bette Midler didn’t get a solo spot. ---
**Author:** ![garygnu](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/garygnu/32/2924_2.png) [@garygnu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/garygnu)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/51 "2010-01-11T18:43:52Z")
16 solo singers, and 3 more from the chorus. I’m 31. [spoiler]Lionel Ritchie Stevie Wonder Paul Simon Kenny Rodgers Tina Turner Billy Joel Michael Jackson Dionne Warwick A very young-looking Willie Nelson Bruce Springsteen looking as goofy while singing as ever Kenny Loggins Dude from Journey (Steve Perry, I’m counting this even if I had to look up the name) Huey Lewis Cyndi Lauper Bob Dylan Ray Charles Chorus: Assorted other Jacksons, including Latoya, I think Dan Akroid Harry Belafonte Bette Midler [/spoiler] ---
**Author:** ![Poysyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Poysyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poysyn)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/52 "2010-01-11T19:47:41Z")
33 - which coincidentally I am also - aged 33. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/53 "2010-01-11T20:14:25Z")
Amazing how bad that song was. And amazing how many of those people cannot sing worth a damn. ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/54 "2010-01-11T21:24:51Z")
I(43) recognized all of them, except the dude in the glasses next to Harry Bellafonte. Was that Dan Akroyd? I probably knew this when the video came out but now my old eyes fail me. For the record, I don’t think there’s any \*shame \*in the younger generation not knowing all these people. I’m just surprised if anyone with fairly wide musical interests doesn’t recognize many / most of them. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/55 "2010-01-11T22:01:31Z")
> [@torie](#): > > I’m typing this as I’m watching. > > Lionel Richie. > Stevie Wonder. > Paul Simon > Kenny Loggins > No Idea > Tina Turner > Billy Joel > Michael Jackson > Diana Ross > Dionne Warwick > Willie Nelson > No Idea > Bruce Springsteen > Michael Someone > Steve Motherfucking Perry. > Hall from Hall and Oates. > Michael Jackson again > Huey Lewis > Cyndee Lauper > No clue who the blond lady is. > Oates is in the crowd > Bob Dylan > I see LaToya Jackson > I see Dan Akroyd and Harry? Belafonte > Ray Charles! > Stevie and Bruce are yelling back and forth. > Bette Midler. > Some black dude in a white shirt. No Idea. > Ray Charles again. > Fun! Let’s do “Do They Know It’s Christmas” next. [![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8jEnTSQStGE/hqdefault.jpg "Do they know it's christmas") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jEnTSQStGE) Band Aid Bob Geldof walking in John Taylor? walking in Sting outside Paul Young starts song Boy George Phil Collins playing drums George Michael Midge Ure standing beside the sound desk Simon LeBon Sting joins him Tony Hadley Bono Paul Weller Gary Kemp Paula Yeats with a Kemp Bono, Greorge, don’t know that blonde guy at all, Paul Young Jon Moss is playing a guitar Who is the blond guy, did he win a competition or something 😉 Marilyn joins the unknown guy Bananarama arrive Followed by Kool and the gang Don’t know the black girl The Quo are in the crowd. That’s about me. I could name all the main ones in the US one and a fair in the background. 39 years old. ---
**Author:** ![yojimbo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yojimbo/32/232_2.png) [@yojimbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yojimbo)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/56 "2010-01-11T22:04:32Z")
I’m blown away that the OP’s brother can only name one in a group that includes Jackson, Springsteen, Wonder, Charles, Richie, Joel, Turner and Dylan to name just a few. That’s mad and I’m not that into music at all. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/57 "2010-01-11T22:21:20Z")
Makes two of us. I kept asking, incredulously “You don’t know who that is? You _don’t know_ who _that_ is?!” ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/58 "2010-01-11T22:24:33Z")
I counted 32 definite ID’s, 34 if I stretch… Lionel Richie Stevie Wonder Paul Simon Kenny Rogers James Ingram Billy Joel Tina Turner Dionne Warwick Michael Jackson Diana Ross Al Jarreau Willie Nelson Bruce Springsteen Kenny Loggins Steve Perry Daryl Hall Huey Lewis Kim Carnes Cyndi Lauder John Oates Randy Jackson Latoya Jackson Bob Dylan Smokey Robinson Marlon Jackson Dan Ackroyd Harry Belafonte _A Pointer Sister?_ Jeffrey Osborne Ray Charles Bette Milder Lindsey Buckingham _Another Pointer Sister_ I couldn’t follow the camera when it panned across the group. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2010, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/59 "2010-01-11T22:34:56Z")
> [@yojimbo](#): > > [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jEnTSQStGE](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8jEnTSQStGE) > > Band Aid > > Bob Geldof walking in > John Taylor? walking in > Sting outside > Paul Young starts song > Boy George > Phil Collins playing drums > George Michael > Midge Ure standing beside the sound desk > Simon LeBon > Sting joins him > Tony Hadley > Bono > Paul Weller > Gary Kemp > Paula Yeats with a Kemp > Bono, Greorge, don’t know that blonde guy at all, Paul Young > Jon Moss is playing a guitar > Who is the blond guy, did he win a competition or something 😉 > Marilyn joins the unknown guy > Bananarama arrive > Followed by Kool and the gang > Don’t know the black girl > The Quo are in the crowd. > > That’s about me. > > I could name all the main ones in the US one and a fair in the background. > > 39 years old. I count 25 (if you’ll indulge me, I can ID guys/gals from bands, so with that, I’m up to 29). Bob Geldof John Taylor Sting Paul Young Boy George George Michael Phil Collins Steve Lillywhite (not sure but I think that’s him behind the mixing desk) Simon Le Bon Tony Hadley Bono Paul Weller Midge Ure Jon Moss Gary Kemp Martin Somebody From Heaven 17 Bananarama (3) Jody Watley Dudes From Kool & The Gang (3) Status Quo Dude (Rossi?) Status Quo Dude #2 Marilyn (Ugh) Nick Rhodes Andy Taylor \*Spotted Trevor Horn sitting in the background one time. Oh, I’m 37. I definitely knew more of the UK performers and I appreciated that there were a few Yanks in there (Jody Watley & Kool & The Gang). ---
**Author:** ![kevlaw](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kevlaw/32/2281_2.png) [@kevlaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kevlaw)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2010, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400/60 "2010-01-12T00:42:58Z")
English 43. (I went to Live Aid! Wooohoo!) I got 19 from We are the World but only 15 from Band Aid (and that’s counting Bananarama as 3). I was surprised. I thought I’d get more from UK and less from US. I did not include Unspecified-Other-Jackson or That-Can’t-Be-Dan-Akroyd in my US total. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/spin-off-how-many-artists-do-you-recognize-from-the-video-song-we-are-the-world-video-inside/524400.md?page=4)