The Greatest Night in Pop - Netflix

[Imzadi]

Has anyone else seen The Greatest Night in Pop? It's a fantastic documentary on Netflix on the making of the song We Are The World and what it took to pull 46 American pop music icons of the 80s together in ONE night in 1985, to make the song. It really highlights the genius of Lionel Ritchie and Michael Jackson who co-wrote the song, along with the creative brilliance of Quincy Jones and the humble fortitude of Harry Belafonte to pull it all together.

When we all saw the final cut of the famous music video, everyone looks so casual, standing there, stepping forward to sing their solos, yet behind the scenes, it was more like building one of the Egyptian pyramids (in one night.) In my opinion, this documentary is just as brilliant as the end product.

Here is an interview of Lionel Ritchie talking about that night. (Go to the 2:38 mark if the video doesn't cue up there.)
Lionel finally answers the one question we all had while watching the music video, "Why was Dan Aykroyd there?"

And here is the official video, We Are The World, which never does get shown in the documentary. I had to run to YouTube and watch it afterward a few times.

 

[Gracedis1]

Yes! I loved it and went down a rabbit hole of research about it, Dan Ackroyd especially. And why wasn't Madonna there, etc. I have huge respect for Lionel Richie!

 

[lynxstch]

It's on my list to watch as soon as I have the time.

 

[slo]

Yes - it is fantastic!

 

[Micca]

I have huge respect for Lionel Richie!

Yes, I've come to appreciate his talent more as time has gone by. I always thought he was pretty good, but getting under the surface there's a really good human in there.

 

[mousefan73]

I loved it when it came out and I watched it like two or three times. I think what’s amazing. Is that everyone there or professional and respectful and not diva like with each other. There was one thing I forgot his name he was drunk I guess at some point lol but it was just really amazing how normal they all seemed as people and nice. in this day and age, I couldn’t imagine getting the top 20 stars at the moment in a room like that without any of them trying to be all diva or show off I highly doubt anyone would even have the talent to actually sing without autotune

As much as you can criticize Michael Jackson, for other things, you have to admit the guy sure had a voice and hell of a talent

 

[Imzadi]

I have huge respect for Lionel Richie!

Yes, I've come to appreciate his talent more as time has gone by. I always thought he was pretty good, but getting under the surface there's a really good human in there.

Yes, Lionel's songs and videos always seemed light and fluffy, and I was young, so I had no idea what goes into songwriting a song for oneself, let alone one with a cause and having a whole group of people have solo parts. Now, to find he was also hosting the AMA awards show, in addition to performing a couple times, and winning, and in between all that, chasing all the singers down between awards to make sure they will show up, because it was all voluntary and there was the possibility some may not show up, and instead go on to party at the AMA after parties instead. My respect for him and his capabilities went up immensely.

 

[Imzadi]

As much as you can criticize Michael Jackson, for other things, you have to admit the guy sure had a voice and hell of a talent

Yes, he had his demons, but he was a musical genius.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The co-prodecer with Quincy Jones was Michael Omartian. He and I worked together for about 5 years in the mid 60's at the company where I met Marie. He was incredibly musically talented. He left the Chicago area for LA in 1968 to try and 'find his way'. I went out to visit him about 6 months later. First visit to Disneyland for me also.

He most definitely found his way made the right connections. Sadly, with communication then not what it is today with cell phones, email, text, etc, we lost touch with each other. I'm always telling myself I'm going to call him, but never do. My fault.

A bit about Mike.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Omartian

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_the_World

If you get to this link, check the producer reportoire.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Omartian_discography

I wish I had Netflix to watch this show.

 

[NYCgrrl]

Harry Belafonte has fortitude, most definitely!
‘Umble Harry? Ehhhhh, maybe not so much

Good times and the dawn of a future that didn’t happened at least the way many wanted it

 

[Kathryn Merteuil]

We saw it recently, I really enjoyed it!

 

[Imzadi]

The co-prodecer with Quincy Jones was Michael Omartian. He and I worked together for about 5 years in the mid 60's at the company where I met Marie. He was incredibly musically talented. He left the Chicago area for LA in 1968 to try and 'find his way'. I went out to visit him about 6 months later. First visit to Disneyland for me also.

He most definitely found his way made the right connections. Sadly, with communication then not what it is today with cell phones, email, text, etc, we lost touch with each other. I'm always telling myself I'm going to call him, but never do. My fault.

A bit about Mike.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Omartian

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/We_Are_the_World

If you get to this link, check the producer reportoire.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Omartian_discography

I wish I had Netflix to watch this show.

@Dan Murphy Mike's got an incredible discography! I know a few people who became successful and famous. It's interesting to have known them before, and knowing they were a good person, to be happy for their success.

 

[TLSnell1981]

So much trivia and many cool moments...Akroyd's happy accident, Dylan feeling intimidated, Huey Lewis' solo, MJ missing the AMA, etc

 

[Dan Murphy]

@Dan Murphy Mike's got an incredible discography! I know a few people who became successful and famous. It's interesting to have known them before, and knowing they were a good person, to be happy for their success.

One more short read, amazing. I really am sorry we drifted apart. I do have to make the effort to reconnect. Maybe your thread here will be my impetus.

https://www.yamaha.com/artists/michaelomartian.html