LOS ANGELES – The revamped We Are the World made its world premiere Friday during coverage of the opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, and a simultaneous worldwide screening of the full, seven-minute version of the music video was the next day.
The song was broadcast via a worldwide simulcast on 53 domestic and international channels.
A three-minute version of the video aired Friday. Filmed by Oscar winner Paul Haggis, the video shows images of devastation from the island nation after the January 12 earthquake that has claimed more than 200,000 lives.
It also shows some of the 85 artists who gathered in Los Angeles earlier this month to re-record the 1985 charity anthem.
Michael Jackson, who co-wrote the original hit with Lionel Richie, is shown in a clip from the original music video. In the new version, Jackson, wearing his trademark 1980s pseudomilitary regalia, sings alongside his sister, Janet Jackson.
Richie and fellow producer Quincy Jones introduced the song Friday via video, saying money raised by its sales will provide food, shelter and medicine for the Haitian people.
Fans can download We Are the World 25 for Haiti online now. All proceeds will benefit earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti. AP
