The Untold Story Behind “We Are the World”: Sheila E. Reveals Prince’s Decision

In the heart of the 1980s, a momentous event unfolded in the world of music. The iconic charity single, We Are the World, brought together a galaxy of stars to make a difference. Yet, a shadow of intrigue hung over the production, and Sheila E., the legendary drummer and vocalist, recently revealed the untold story of her involvement and Prince’s surprising decision.

Speaking on the red carpet for the Los Angeles premiere of The Greatest Night in Pop, a documentary chronicling the creation of the song, Sheila provided a candid look into her close collaboration with Prince. The world-renowned artist, who sadly passed away in 2016 at the age of 57, declined the opportunity to participate in the historic project. However, Sheila made it clear that Prince never regretted his choice.

Sheila, now 66 years old, recalled her conversations with Prince on that fateful night. “No. I talked to him all through the night. I was the only one speaking to him throughout the entire night, and that was me speaking with him, talking with him and figuring out what he wants to do,” she shared at The Egyptian Theatre, adding that she thinks he made the right decision.

Prince’s decision had nothing to do with disliking the song. “He liked it,” Sheila affirmed, revealing, “It’s really not just about the song, it was really about the camaraderie of everyone coming together for that reason.”

At the time, Sheila was performing alongside Prince on his Purple Rain Tour. “We were already giving to so many, not just foundations, but a lot of the times on that tour before we even got to that night, we were already stopping at children’s hospitals and doing free concerts for the kids who have cancer and disabilities,” she explained, emphasizing their commitment to philanthropy.

“So, it’s not like he missed out or anything like that. That was his decision, and that’s fine. It’s not like he hated it or loved it or anything like that. It was just too much,” Sheila added.

The Greatest Night in Pop, directed by Bao Nguyen, delves into the making of We Are the World. The film showcases the journey from Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie writing its lyrics to the powerhouse artists, including Stevie Wonder, Tina Turner, Cyndi Lauper, Diana Ross, Dionne Warwick, and many others, recording the unforgettable power ballad.

In the documentary, Sheila opens up about feeling like she was asked to join the supergroup primarily to bring Prince into the mix through their connection. Today, however, she harbors “no ill will” toward anyone involved in the creation of We Are the World.

“There’s no bad feelings,” she stated. “This song is amazing, and we did what we needed to do for the people. I didn’t feel any emotion after leaving and all that stuff. I didn’t even think about that moment of me feeling hurt until the documentary. I forgot about it until we started talking, and I was like, ‘Oh, wait a minute. I just remembered there was a moment,’ and that’s when I shared it.”

In a revealing moment during the documentary, Sheila shared her experience of being asked to bring Prince into the studio. “I was looking forward to singing one of the verses, but they kept asking, ‘Well, do you think you can get Prince here?’ I’m like, ‘Wow, this is weird,’” she recalled.