Full museum-quality display: The signed We Are the World album cover surrounded by six period photographs from the January 28, 1985 recording session, original vinyl record, “We Are the World” script logo, and identification plaque listing all 20 signers.
⚠ THE NIGHT MUSIC CHANGED THE WORLD — AND MANY OF THESE ARTISTS ARE NOW GONE
On the night of January 28, 1985, following the American Music Awards ceremony, over 40 of the biggest names in music filed into A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood, California. A sign on the studio door read: “Check your egos at the door.” What happened inside over the next ten hours produced one of the best-selling singles of all time, raised over $80 million for humanitarian aid in Africa, and won four Grammy Awards.
Many of the artists who signed this album are now dead. Michael Jackson died June 25, 2009 (age 50). Ray Charles died June 10, 2004 (age 73). James Ingram died January 29, 2019 (age 66). Waylon Jennings died February 13, 2002 (age 64). Anita Pointer died December 31, 2022 (age 74). Tina Turner died May 24, 2023 (age 83). Al Jarreau died February 12, 2017 (age 76). This album was signed when they were all alive, all in the same room, all united for one cause. You will never see this piece again.
Close-up of the signed album cover: 20 signatures visible across the iconic photograph of the assembled artists at A&M Studios. Authentication sticker at bottom right.
Africa Relief
Worldwide
That Night
Engraved identification plaque listing all 20 artists who signed this album.
Detail: Period photographs from the recording session, including Michael Jackson with Cyndi Lauper, and artists collaborating in the studio.
THE 20 SIGNERS
| # | Artist | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Jackson | Died Jun 25, 2009 (age 50) — Co-writer of the song |
| 2 | Bruce Springsteen | Living — Rarely signs autographs; his signature is exceptionally scarce |
| 3 | Stevie Wonder | Living — 25 Grammy Awards, the most by any solo artist |
| 4 | Ray Charles | Died Jun 10, 2004 (age 73) — “The Genius” |
| 5 | Diana Ross | Living — The Supremes, solo legend |
| 6 | Billy Joel | Living — “The Piano Man,” 6 Grammys |
| 7 | Tina Turner | Died May 24, 2023 (age 83) — “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” |
| 8 | Smokey Robinson | Living — Motown legend, “The Poet Laureate of Soul” |
| 9 | Paul Simon | Living — Simon & Garfunkel, solo legend |
| 10 | Cyndi Lauper | Living — Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2024 |
| 11 | Huey Lewis | Living — Huey Lewis and the News |
| 12 | Kenny Rogers | Died Mar 20, 2020 (age 81) |
| 13 | James Ingram | Died Jan 29, 2019 (age 66) |
| 14 | Al Jarreau | Died Feb 12, 2017 (age 76) — 7 Grammy Awards |
| 15 | Waylon Jennings | Died Feb 13, 2002 (age 64) — Country Music Hall of Fame |
| 16 | Kim Carnes | Living — “Bette Davis Eyes” |
| 17 | Jeffrey Osborne | Living — R&B hitmaker |
| 18 | Tito Jackson | Died Sep 15, 2024 (age 70) — The Jackson 5 |
| 19 | Anita Pointer | Died Dec 31, 2022 (age 74) — The Pointer Sisters |
| 20 | Marlon Jackson | Living — The Jackson 5 |
8 of the 20 signers are now deceased. Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Waylon Jennings, James Ingram, Al Jarreau, Anita Pointer, and Tito Jackson are all gone. Their signatures on this album can never be added again.
THE SONG & THE SESSION
“We Are the World” was written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie and produced by Quincy Jones. It was recorded in a single overnight session at A&M Recording Studios in Hollywood on January 28, 1985. Jones famously posted a sign on the studio door: “Check your egos at the door.”
The session was strategically scheduled for the night of the American Music Awards, when the greatest concentration of music superstars would already be gathered in Los Angeles. Artists arrived at the studio after the ceremony and recorded through the night. The result was a historic single that became one of the fastest-selling records in history.
The numbers tell the story: Over 20 million copies sold worldwide, making it one of the best-selling singles of all time. It was the first single ever to be certified multi-platinum. It debuted at #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 and rocketed to #1, where it stayed for four consecutive weeks. It raised over $80 million for USA for Africa to combat famine in Ethiopia and across the continent.
Grammy Awards (1986): Record of the Year, Song of the Year, Best Pop Performance by Duo or Group with Vocal, and Best Short Form Music Video — four Grammys in a single sweep.
WHY THIS ALBUM IS EXTRAORDINARY
Consider what is represented on this single album cover: the King of Pop (Michael Jackson), the Boss (Bruce Springsteen), the Genius (Ray Charles), the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll (Tina Turner), the Piano Man (Billy Joel), the Poet Laureate of Soul (Smokey Robinson), and the most Grammy-decorated solo artist in history (Stevie Wonder) — along with 13 more iconic performers.
Bruce Springsteen is known as one of the most difficult autographs to obtain in all of popular music. His signature on this album, alongside Michael Jackson and the others, makes this piece exceptionally rare. Multi-signed “We Are the World” items with both Springsteen and Jackson are virtually nonexistent in the marketplace.
A “We Are the World” poster signed by 24 artists (including Jackson and Springsteen) sold at Nate D. Sanders Auctions for $1,513. The original autographed poster from the recording session sold at Julien’s Auctions at the Hard Rock Cafe for $43,750. The Jackson/Richie songwriting contract sold at RR Auction as part of an 11-document archive for $9,493.
FORENSIC AUTHENTICATION
Forensic authentication report by Drew V. Max, Court-Qualified and Board-Certified Forensic Document Examiner.
This album has been authenticated by Drew V. Max, a Court-Qualified and Board-Certified Forensic Document Examiner. The authentication report confirms the following:
Item: Multi-signed “We Are the World” Album Cover
Signers Confirmed: Michael Jackson, James Ingram, Al Jarreau, Cyndi Lauper, Tito Jackson, Anita Pointer, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Jeffrey Osborne, Huey Lewis, Kim Carnes, Bruce Springsteen, Smokey Robinson, Diana Ross, Kenny Rogers, Tina Turner, Waylon Jennings, Stevie Wonder, Marlon Jackson, Billy Joel, etc.
Finding: Authentic.
Methods: The scientific method of inductive and deductive reasoning. The major individual parameters and characteristics of the submitted article meet standards of identification and have been compared to the various accepted exemplars in the library.
Examination: The article has been examined with regard to its writing surface, writing instrument, ink or lead comparison and area measurements. It has also been examined with a stereoscopic microscope system as well as various other magnification measurements and lighting instruments.
“WE ARE THE WORLD” MEMORABILIA AT AUCTION
| Item | Auction House | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Original autographed poster from recording session | Julien’s Auctions | $43,750 |
| Jackson/Richie songwriting contract + 11-doc archive | RR Auction | $9,493 |
| Poster signed by 24 artists (incl. Jackson & Springsteen) | Nate D. Sanders | $1,513 |
| Michael Jackson “Thriller” jacket | Julien’s (2011) | $1,800,000 |
| Michael Jackson signed “Thriller” LP | Various | $10,000–$16,000 |
| Bruce Springsteen signed guitar | Various | $5,000–$15,000 |
Note: The original autographed poster from the session sold for nearly $44,000. This signed album includes 20 authentic signatures on the actual album cover — with forensic authentication by a Board-Certified Document Examiner and authentication.
A&M RECORDING STUDIOS · HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA · JANUARY 28, 1985
“CHECK YOUR EGOS AT THE DOOR.”
— The sign Quincy Jones posted on the studio door
Twenty signatures. The King of Pop. The Boss. The Genius. The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The Piano Man. The Poet Laureate of Soul. Eight of them are dead. The night that music changed the world is preserved on this single album cover — forensically authenticated, museum-framed, and waiting for you. You will NEVER see this piece again.
DISPLAY DETAILS
Album: Original We Are the World vinyl LP (USA for Africa, 1985). Album cover features the iconic group photograph from the A&M Studios recording session, signed by 20 participating artists.
Display: Museum-quality frame with black and gold matting, featuring: the signed album cover at center; original vinyl record displayed in arched window above; six period color photographs from the recording session; “We Are the World” script logo; and engraved gold identification plaque listing all 20 signers.
Authentication: Forensic report by Drew V. Max, Court-Qualified and Board-Certified Forensic Document Examiner, confirming all signatures authentic via scientific analysis including stereoscopic microscope examination, ink comparison, and writing instrument analysis.
💳 FLEXIBLE FINANCING AVAILABLE AT CHECKOUT
This item is eligible for monthly financing through Klarna, built directly into eBay's checkout — no additional applications or approvals from us required.
Spread your purchase over 6, 12, 18, or 24 months with manageable monthly payments. For example, at a purchase price of $16,399, your payments could be approximately $752/month over 24 months — less than many car payments for an irreplaceable piece of music history.
Klarna financing appears automatically at checkout for eligible U.S. buyers on orders up to $30,000. Rates from 7.99%–35.99% APR depending on creditworthiness. The seller receives full payment immediately — your installment plan is between you and Klarna.
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📦 SHIPPING & POLICIES
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“We Are the World” and related trademarks are property of USA for Africa / Warner Bros. Music. This listing is for an original collectible signed item and is not endorsed by or affiliated with any trademark holder.
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