Ken Kragen dead: Music manager behind Michael Jackson's We Are The World dies aged 85
KEN KRAGEN, the highly acclaimed music manager legend who masterminded the eighth best-selling track of all time has died aged 85 at his California home.
By CHLOE GOVAN
22:07, Wed, Dec 15, 2021
Ken Kragen has died at the age of 85. The legendary music manager was behind the multi-Grammy Award winning track, We Are The World, which soared to the top of the charts in the eighties, earning $64 million for aid in Africa.
The song, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, featured a star-studded celebrity cast including Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles, Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Bruce Springsteen and Bob Dylan, to name just a few.
The Harvard-educated business graduate also organised the legendary music event Hands Across America, raising $34 million for causes such as hunger and homelessness across the USA.
The manager also worked with acts from country stars Kenny Rogers and Trisha Yearwood, plus disco acts The Bee Gees and Olivia Newton John.
He reportedly died of natural causes at his home in Brentwood, California.
His devastated family have released a statement sharing their grief at the loss of a musical legend who had touched the hearts of millions.
Wife Cathy Worthington expressed: "To have been married to someone of such character and loving goodness is the honor of my life."
She had been in a committed marriage to him for over 40 years before his death.
Meanwhile, his daughter Emma Kragen spoke of Ken's achievements, both personal and professional.
While I am of course immensely proud of everything he has accomplished professionally, he has also been the best dad to me that I could ever ask for," she declared.
The career highlight that changed the lives of so many had all begun when Carmen Jones actor Harry Belafonte called Ken to ask if he could help to organise a concert that would raise funds for the poor and needy in Africa.
He instantly agreed - and his connections led to 'We Are The World', a track filled with celebrity voices.
Within a month, Lionel Richie and Michael Jackson were on board as writers, while Quincy Jones agreed to serve as the song's producer.
Speaking openly through its lyrics about issues of poverty, inequality and child hunger, it unleashed a tidal wave of publicity that would ultimately earn $64 million worth of funds for its cause.
It sold over 20 million copies, certifying it as the eighth best-selling single of all time.
Poignant lyrics such as: "The world must come together as one, there are people dying," also grabbed the attention of countless others via constant radio station airtime.
The following year, Ken arranged the event Hands Across America, which saw people holding hands all the way from New York to California in the name of fighting social issues like hunger and homelessness.
His career wasn't limited solely to music, either, as he also enjoyed a foray into TV, including an executive producing role on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour for US channel CBS.
He also worked with actor Burt Reynolds of Smoky And The Bandit.
Plus, for those aspiring to follow in his footsteps, he moved into public speaking, fronting lectures at venues such as Harvard Business School - a university that he himself had once attended.
Ken's charitable ventures continued later in life, with a position on the charity board Mr. Holland's Opus Foundation and Community in School.
His contributions to music, culture and social justice causes will be both sorely missed and widely remembered as the world mourns the loss of Ken Kragen.