Pepsi Ad and ‘We Are The World’
On 27 January 1984, Michael filmed a Pepsi commercial in LA. It was a simulated concert with a full house of fans but pyrotechnics were set off too early which resulted in Michael suffering second and third degree burns to his face and scalp. When Michael’s back was turned, the pyrotechnics exploded nearby with the sparks igniting his hair. Michael, unaware that he was on fire, continued to perform until dozens of stagehands rushed to douse the flames.
Michael was rushed to hospital but it was thought that the painkillers that were prescribed for the pain might have caused Michael to suffer the cardiac arrest that ended his life suddenly on 25 June 2009.
As a result of this accident, Michael underwent treatment to hide the scars from the fire on his scalp and after had another rhinoplasty. Pepsi settled with Michael out of court and the settlement of $1.5m was donated to the Brotman Medical Centre in California.
Michael also co-wrote the single "We Are The World" with Lionel Richie in 1985. Quincy Jones produced the song. This was released internationally to help the poor in US and Africa. It was one of the best selling singles of all time with nearly 20 million copies sold and millions donated to famine relief. Some of the big name artists that participated in the song were: Ray Charles, Billy Joel, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen and Cyndi Lauper.
Since its release "We Are The World" has raised over $63m – 90% of this money was pledged to African relief. This included efforts in birth control and food production. The remaining 10% was for domestic hunger and homeless programs in the US. In Africa, over 70 recovery and development projects were launched – these projects included aid in agriculture, fishing, water management and reforestation.
In 2005, the 20th anniversary of "We Are The World" was celebrated by radio stations around the world simultaneously broadcasting the charity anthem.
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