Inside the 'Wildest' Moment of the Legendary 'We Are the World' Recording

From Lionel Richie's animal-filled writing sessions to a surprising revelation aboutSheila E.'s role, Bao Nguyen reveals the never-before-told story behind the iconic charity single.

In the pantheon of musical history, the recording of "We Are the World" stands as a testament to the power of collective action and the transformative nature of music. Behind-the-scenes, however, the creation of this legendary single unfolded in a whirlwind of unexpected moments and behind-the-curtain surprises.

"We didn't have any distractions," Lionel Richie recalled to CBS News, reflecting on the absence of digital distractions during the recording process. "There was no Internet, there was no cellphones, there was nothing but purity of a thought, an idea, and how to get it done."

As Richie and his co-writer Michael Jackson embarked on their writing sessions at Jackson's Encino home, they were surrounded by an eccentric array of animals, including a snake that kept interrupting Richie's lyric-writing.

The news of each legendary musician joining the project fueled a growing sense of urgency. "All of a sudden, we went from just la la la to panic," Richie admitted. However, in the recording studio, the atmosphere was more akin to a playroom than a pressure cooker.

"It was just a room full of five-year-olds, and we're all amazed that we're there with each other, and getting used to each other," Richie described. "I call it the first day of first grade. So you're all in the room without your parents, and we don't know exactly what we're doing and Quincy's the parent."

Quincy Jones, the legendary producer, took on the role of a benevolent classroom leader, encouraging each musician to contribute their voices in a circle, effectively neutralizing any potential egos.

Looking back, Richie admitted to a hint of intimidation at the time. "Now that I talk about it now, it was terrifying," he confessed. "What am I saying? I'm trying to be ever so calm about this."

Despite the initial nerves, the recording session became a profound experience for all involved. "We raised a lot of money," Richie said. "We kept thinking, 'OK, we're gonna give away a lot of money. Hopefully, we'll raise 10.' Once you get to 40 and 50 … whoa what the heck just happened?"

But the most startling revelation came from Bao Nguyen, the director of the recent Netflix documentary "The Greatest Night in Pop." Nguyen disclosed that Sheila E., the iconic percussionist, played a pivotal role in the production.

According to Nguyen, Sheila E. stepped in when Jones faltered in keeping up with the musicians' desire to add an impromptu percussion section to the song. "He was like, 'No, no, no. I can't do this. I don't know how to do this rhythm,'" Nguyen explained.

Undeterred, Sheila E. took matters into her own hands, effectively bridging the gap between Jones' classical approach and the musicians' desire for a more rhythmic expression. "She took over," Nguyen said. "She started to add all these percussion parts."

The legacy of "We Are the World" lives on, not only in the humanitarian aid still being provided in Africa but also in the memories of those who participated in its creation. It serves as a reminder that even amid a whirlwind of challenges and unexpected moments, the power of collective creativity can triumph.