A music student from Lordswood has brought together singers from around Kent to produce a charity song to help the battle against Coronavirus.

Written by Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson, We Are The World was originally produced in 1985 in collaboration with a host of international pop stars to help relieve famine in Africa.

Just over 35 years later, 17-year-old Joel Gibbons is aiming to follow in Lionel's footsteps with his new version of the song, recorded with the help of talented artists from around the county, and mixed by Louis Malagodi.

Currently studying Level 3 Music Performance at MidKent College in Gillingham, Joel is a fan of 80s and 90s hard rock and hair metal, but explained how he found his attention caught by the 1980s charity pop single.

"The whole idea came about when I stumbled across We Are The World on YouTube and decided to actually give it a proper listen through for the first time," he said. "I was immediately hooked, the lyrics, the singers involved and the cause!

"The original consists of the likes of Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Cyndi Lauper and so many other great artists and I just had this sudden urge to piece a new version together!

"At first I thought that no one would be interested and nothing would come of it, but everyone who I took my idea to thought that it was great and were very keen to be involved, with some big names from our Kent music scene, and some unknown, but devastatingly talented voices."

Other singers involved include Kevin Strudwick, Buster Gibbons, Alana Winger, Angelo Tristan, Helen Gibbons, Michelle Friday, Sam Mitchell, Ben Mills, Todd Winger, Elena East-Garijo, Helen Hurd, Tailie Scales, Louis Malagodi, Adam Oades, Lauren Skye Rose and Joel himself.

Follow the link on YouTube to help support the cause

Joel says he "lived the song every day" through February and March, recording and rerecording parts, assigning the right lines to the right vocalists, and by March 18 the song was ready for the radio.

And indeed it went on to get play on various stations, getting great reaction from listeners.

Even then the work wasn't finished as Joel and Louis realised the song needed some tinkering.

Joel added: "Louis took some more time to go back to the mix and just have a second go and the second finalisation was sensational. We now have a final mix of We Are The World 2021 and I cannot be more proud of everyone that come together."

The team have also set up a merchandise site where people can buy clothing and other items, with all monthly profits due to be donated to the Coronavirus Red Cross Charity.

Follow the link via the YouTube page or contact Joel on Instagram @JoelGibbonsOfficial

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