On this day: May 16, 1985

Ken Kragen was presented a check for $6.5 million on May 16, 1985 for royalties due to him as the President of Artists for Africa, foundation (USA for Africa) for sales of a record that had hit the stores only two months before. The song of course was We Are the World.

We Are the World was America's response the the British smash hit Do They Know it's Christmas? Which had bee released in late 1984. While the Christmas song was a hit, selling over three million copies and spending over five weeks at the top of the chart, it barely scratched the surface of the issues in Africa it was trying to solve.

In January of 1985 some of the biggest American acts came together to record their own version of a charity song. The original idea was to have black artists hold a concert performance to raise money for Africa, but it was soon felt this wouldn't be enough to solve the problem either. The idea of We Are the World was suggested instead. Soon, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Bruce Springsteen and more had all agreed to be a part of the epic event, and it was clear this would be a success. In the end, over 45 artists took part in this event.

Other notable events for May 16:
-The Beach Boys released their most critically acclaimed album, Pet Sounds on May 16, 1966 in the USA
-Former Buggles members Geoff Downes and Trevor Horn joined Yes on May 16, 1980, replacing the departing Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman
-King Crimson guitarist and leader Robert Fripp married actress and ex-punk hitmaker Toyah Willcox on May 16, 1986
-Davis Crosby married Jan Dance, his longtime girlfriend on May 16, 1987, his longtime colleague, Graham Nash and his wife Susan renewed their vows at the same ceremony