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Las Vegas entertainers recreate 'We Are The World' in response to coronavirus pandemic

Posted at 2:59 PM, Mar 29, 2020
and last updated 2020-03-30 10:37:30-04

In 1985, the song “We Are The World” became a hit around the world after it was recorded by the supergroup USA for Africa.

It was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones and Michael Omartian for the album "We Are the World."

After its release, it became the fastest-selling U.S. pop single in history and is one of the fewer than 30 retail singles to have sold at least 10 million copies worldwide.

The song was remade with an all-star cast of singers in February 2010 after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake devastated Haiti.

Ritchie, who is now a judge on “American Idol,” has suggested that the song be remade a 3rd time to communicate a message of global unity in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

Bryan Chan of Las Vegas has beaten Mr. Ritchie to it though and his version features many familiar faces from the Las Vegas entertainment scene.

Chan was the host and singer for the world-famous Chippendales for 9 years before retiring. He now hosts events all over Las Vegas, including many fundraisers and local parades.

Chan says that after the governor ordered the lockdown, he felt the community could use something calming and he wanted to people to know that they are not alone and that we are all in this together.

Chan says that the video came together very quickly and gave the performers something to focus on besides the fact that they are currently out of work.

He created a blank music track with DJ R.O.B. and put out the call for help on March 20. The video was released on March 24.

Chan gave each of the singers a line and asked them to sing it from their respective quarantines in their homes or yards. One singer, Savanna Smith, recorded her part in her car because her daughter was taking a nap and she didn’t want to wake her.

Each singer is a member from our Vegas community and represent shows and bands in town... Magic Mike, Vegas The Show, Cirque, Fantasy, Chippendales, Tenors of Rock, Legends, The Space, Mosaic, Atomic Saloon, Cocktail Cabaret, and Zoey Bowie. As well as past shows like Jubilee, Rock of Ages, Baz, Jersey Boys and Peepshow.

The singers in the video are: David Terry, Brett Pruneau, Anne Martinez, Rodney Arnett, Lorena Peril Narbaitz, Ron Remke, Cheryl Daro, Mark Shunock, Chelsea Phillips-Reid, Jassen Allen, Brandon Nix, Stephanie Sanchez, Jackie Wiatrowski, Dan Schumann, Sina Foley, Emily Yates Blick, David Nicoll, Paige Strafella Nicoll, JT Semalu, Amy Edwards, Christina Shaw, Bryan Cheatham, Jasmine Trias, Ben Stone, Lily Arce, Jaime Lynch, Kirbi Long, Cesare Quintero, Andrew Diessner, Bryan Chan, Todd Dubail, Josh Strickland, Emily Yates Blick, Savannah Smith, and Heath Burgett.