Reminiscent of 1985’s “We Are the World” fund-raising effort, a group of pop stars led by Michael Jackson plans to record a new song to raise $50 million for survivors and families of victims in Tuesday’s attack on the East Coast.
Jackson, R&B trio Destiny’s Child and Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys all plan to record a new song, titled “What More Can I Give,” which Jackson will produce, according to a statement Sunday.
Other singers committed to the effort include teen pop couple Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake of ‘N Sync, and Mya.
“I believe in my heart that the music community will come together as one and rally to the aid of thousands of innocent victims,” Jackson said. “There is a tremendous need for relief dollars right now and through this effort each one of us can play an immediate role in helping comfort so many people.”
Proceeds from the song’s distribution will go to a relief fund for the victims’ families and survivors.
The pop singer known worldwide for hit albums like 1982’s “Thriller” and 1987’s “Bad”, is currently working on “What More Can I Give.”
Jackson’s New York-based spokesman, Howard Rubenstein, said the song will be released as soon as possible, and more celebrity singers are lining up to be part in the effort.
The effort is similar to Jackson’s work on “We Are the World,” which he co-wrote and performed. That song, in which scores of pop stars participated, raised $65 million for the USA for Africa fund that aids victims of starvation in Africa.
“We have demonstrated time and again that music can touch our souls. It is time we used that power to help us begin the process of healing immediately,” Jackson said.
Along with an English-language version of “What More Can I Give,” Jackson and the other singers plan to record a Spanish language version.
