Iconic 'We Are The World' Marks 30th Anniversary

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — It's one of the most familiar and iconic songs in the history of music, and on Wednesday, some of the people behind "We Are The World" marked the 30th anniversary of the historic recording at the Grammy Museum.

The song brought together the biggest names in music to raise money to fight famine in Africa.

More than 7.5 million copies of "We Are The World" have been sold, and it won Grammys for both song of the year and record of the year in 1985.

Producer Ken Kragen, who was on hand as the 30th anniversary was celebrated Wednesday, said it was a watershed moment in music.

"It kind of opened the door on us helping," Kragen said. "Everybody now is trying to do something for somebody else, to help people who are in need."

It was Kragen, along with Quincy Jones and 45 of the most famous music artists in the world who would get together while in Los Angeles for the Grammy Awards 30 years ago to make history.

One of those legends, Smokey Robinson, was also on hand Wednesday

"It was beautiful," Robinson said. "Yeah, I think it was one of the greatest songs with the greatest message ever written."

Their mission was to help millions of sub Saharan Africans dying due to a historic drought. The pictures were unbearable. Something had to be done. That something became an instant smash hit.

The song and video raised millions of dollars that would go on to help 20 African countries with long-term recovery and help educate future generations.

The song and video are still available today on iTunes, and they continue to raise funds for starving children in Africa.