Today, we explain why Barbra Streisand wasn’t included in “We Are the World.”
In Pop Culture Questions Answered, I answer whatever questions you folks might have about movies, TV, music or whatever (feel free to e-mail questions to me at brian@pop culture references.com).
As I’ve noted about the performers selected for “We Are the World,” when it came to being picked, there wasn’t some, like, list of achievements that you had to tick off. It was almost entirely whether Ken Kragen, the talent manager who organized the event, wanted you involved or not. Kragen was the guy who decided that Madonna wasn’t invited, but Kragen also made sure that his client, Kim Carnes, WAS invited.
However, there WERE some examples of notable singers who were asked, but didn’t participate. Pat Benatar, for instance, declined because she was pregnant at the time.
One of the biggest names to say no, and the one that Ken Kragen later called to mind as one his biggest “misses” in putting the event together was the iconic singer and actor, Barbra Streisand. Kragen recalled in 2015, when asked who he wished had said yes, “Barbra Streisand. She originally agreed, but then one of her advisors talked her out of it. She always regretted it. Like a number of artists they start worrying if they should do it or not. Remember, nobody knew We Are The World was going to be a success.”
So there ya go, Barbra just said no. That would have helped her promote The Broadway Album, which came out later in the year!
I imagine that regret over saying no is what led to her agreeing to appear on the trainwreck that was the 25th anniversary of “We Are the World” that was done for Haiti.
Thanks to reader Mark G. for sending in this question. As for everyone else, if you have a pop culture question, drop me a line at brian@poprefs.com!
Didn’t they say “Leave Your Ego at the Door”? Maybe hers wouldn’t fit in the parking lot.
Barbra Streisand was still promoting her album “Emotion”, released in October 1984. Three singles were released from the album: “Left in the Dark” (September 1984), “Make No Mistake, He’s Mine” — a duet with… KIM CARNES! (December 1984) — and “Emotion” (March 1985).
An interesting fact: Barbra recorded three songs written by KIM CARNES: “Love Comes from Unexpected Places” (1977), “Stay Away” (1978), and the 1984 duet “Make No Mistake, He’s Mine,” which reached No. 51 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 8 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
“The Broadway Album” would not be released until November 4, 1985.
Fair point, Guilherme! But either way, it would have been good promotion for Emotion, as well!