On this day in music history: January 18, 1986 - Thats What Friends Are For by Dionne And Friends hits #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 4 weeks, also topping the R&B singles chart for 3 weeks on January 25, 1986. Written and produced by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, it is the second chart topping single for the pop and R&B vocal legend. The song is originally recorded by Rod Stewart for the 1982 comedy Nightshift. Warwick cuts the song in tribute to a friend who had died of AIDS. Initially it is to be a duet between just herself and Stevie Wonder, but after hearing the song in duet form, Warwick will think it needs another vocalist. Shell suggest her longtime friend Gladys Knight, whom shed always wanted to record with. Then Arista Records chief Clive Davis will suggest adding Elton John to the song who will also add his vocals. All of the proceeds from the single will be donated to Elizabeth Taylors charity AMFAR, which is among the first to raise funds for AIDS research and for the care of individuals with the virus. Entering the Hot 100 at #67 on November 9, 1985, it will climb to the top of the chart ten weeks later. By the time it drops from the chart, the single has raised over $3 million for the organization. It will also win two Grammy Awards including Best Pop Vocal Performance By A Duo Or Group and Song Of The Year, as well being ranked the top single of 1986 by Billboard Magazine. Thats What Friends Are For is certified Gold in the US by the RIAA.
Posted on: Mon, 19 Jan 2015 01:00:09 +0000
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