January 25, 1985. Los Angeles. I was living in Nicosia, Cyprus, running Pepsi Cola’s business in the Middle East, 36 years old, loving life but very sensitive to the ever widening gaps in society – in the Middle East and Africa, in the so called ‘developing’ world and even in the wealthier nations too. (Sound familiar?)
Music had become a global language and we had just shot commercials with Michael Jackson, Tina Turner, Lionel Richie and many others as we tapped into the power of music to kick-start change (from ‘The Real Thing’ to the Pepsi Generation).
My daughter Bex reminded me of these turbulent but exciting times by recommending I watch Netflix ‘The Greatest Night in Pop’ documentary. Amazing. Nostalgic. Sensational.
Springsteen, Dylan, Billy Joel, Tina Turner, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Cyndi Lauper, Dionne Warwick and many others – all together (but not Prince!). Inspired by Harry Belafonte. Orchestrated by Quincy Jones, masterminded by Lionel Richie, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.
Enough! Watch it tonight.
We Are The World.
There comes a time
When we heed a certain call
When the world must come together as one
There are people dying
Oh, and it’s time to lend a hand to life
The greatest gift of all.
We can’t go on
Pretending day-by-day
That someone, somewhere soon make a change
We’re all part of God’s great big family
And the truth, you know, love is all we need.
We are the world
We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So let’s start giving.
Yes, today – again – We are the ones we have been waiting for.
KR
