I gotta feeling: The gorgeous and full-throated Fergie — Stacy Ferguson — of the Black Eyed Peas has joined the cast of Quincy Jones’s “We Are the World 25.” The powerhouse song and video for Haiti relief debuting next Friday, February 12th during the Olympics.
Fergie did not make the recording session this past Monday, but she has since added her vocals and been filmed by Paul Haggis’s video crew. Her pea in the pod, Will.i.am, participated in Monday’s marathon session.
Fergie is only the second artist to add vocals to the record. On Thursday, Janet Jackson added hers by satellite link from Atlanta.
That’s it, then. No other artists are scheduled. As for Michael Jackson’s kids, Quincy Jones has an idea to have them read a poem by Maya Angelou at the end of the video version of the new recording. But so far nothing’s happened in that regard.
What is happening now is the process of setting up a new We Are the World Foundation, separate from the old organization from 25 years ago. That’s a good thing, too. The old charity, USA For Africa, has a lot of accounting issues and many questions to be answered.
Maybe because of that, Quincy Jones wanted the new group to be free of old baggage. “He wants complete transparency,” says a source. The board members for the new We Are the World Foundation are Jones, Lionel Richie, Wyclef Jean, Paul Haggis, Randy Phillips, and Ambassador Louis Moreno for the InterAmerican Development Bank.
Meantime, the old USA for Africa looks like it’s a little dodgy these days. Frankly, it’s surprising it’s still in business. according to its last three tax filings, USA For Africa more or less exists to pay the salary, rent and expenses of one executive, Marcia Thomas. She’s been receiving about $50,000 a year in salary, plus all those other amounts including $18,000 in travel and expenses.
USA for Africa was set up originally in 1985 to send money to Ethopia because its population was starving. But in 2008 a total of $20,000 went to grants, and none of them were in Africa. A grant of $1,000 went to an Entertainment Law Student, another $9000 went to public relations. And $4,000 went to insurance — presumably for Marcia Thomas.
The president of USA for Africa is a Beverly Hills ob/gyn named Dr. Lloyd Greig. When I spoke to him, he told me to call Ms. Thomas. Her phone, however, rings without answer.
February 5th, 2010 at 3:54 am
I know this won’t come close to the 1985 Classic, but God, I hope they do a better job than Band Aid 20
February 5th, 2010 at 5:49 am
What’s a poen?
February 5th, 2010 at 6:51 am
I think it is great Fergie is participating in this,she along with other actors all sang this song back when they were all children.Seems fitting she would sing it as an adult too.It still doesn’t sit right with me Michael’s voice isn’t included but if his kids do read the poem I guess I will be OK with it.
February 5th, 2010 at 10:53 am
Lionel Richie, his ex-wife and Michael Jackson’s estate still own the publishing rights to We Are the World, they were never donated to charity. Richie and Jackson have made MILLIONS off of their supposedly charitable work, and stand to make millions more.
February 5th, 2010 at 11:19 am
I think that they should use Michael’s voice in the remake. He did remake We Are The World for his This Is It Tour from what I have heard. I am happy to see that Janet and 3T are part of this remake as well. Michael chilren will do their part because Michael’s mom had something to do with the peom at the end of the song. I just wish that Prince, Paris and Blanket could of played a larger role in the remake. They loved their father and was interested in what he did. This would have been a great opportunity for them to experience.
February 5th, 2010 at 5:09 pm
I agree with David above. Lionel, Michael and several others made MILLIONS of of publishing and royalties. Most quote charity events, telethons and fund raisers don’t really go to the cause they go to operating expenses, big corner offices etc. St. Jude’s is the only charity I know of that gives 100% that is raised through the public that goes to the families and children that have to go to St. Judes. So hats off to Danny Thomas and his daughter for seeing this through. I am not opposed to the telethons for MD or that George Clooney did just recently. I donated to the last huge Televised charity just to find out that most of the money raised did not go where it was suppose to go so unfortunately I did not participate in the lastest smoke and mirror act. Also, I would like to know who really gets through to talk to a celebrity..I never did and most ordinary people I talked to did not either..just another magic act created in Hollywood. I will be glad to donate..just have George Clooney call me and let me hand the money directly to hurt or ophan child.
February 6th, 2010 at 12:15 pm
Can’t wait to here it
February 6th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
Well i like Fergie, I love Janet there even more, that woman is very good, she needs to get stronger though, but i dont think the Michael Jackson kids will be there, would be good,because if still nothing’s confirmed,ummmm i dont think so, its good though, that poem could be saved for an upcoming album of unrealised Michael songs… is a good idea. But who knows may be the kids do appear.
February 7th, 2010 at 8:04 am
@David-You are right about the Jackson estate still owning copyrights to this song,that is why I don’t see how they can remake it without including Michael in it somehow.Did the estate lawyers agree to this?You would think they would have to give their permission first.When you think about it,all of the stars who are involved, are singing someone else’s part from the original recording but it was still Michael’s song,I sure hope he is also a part of the remake.
February 11th, 2010 at 10:16 am
@David, I wonder how you KNOW this about Lionel never donating the publishing rights to charity? Are you his personal assistant ? I mean that seriously as his assistant is named David. Wasn’t that part of the deal back then that everything was to be donated tocharity? I think that’s terrible if Lionel did not do that. Makes himself out to be so altruistic.