Dionne Warwick and music legends raised millions for AIDS research

In 1985, as the AIDS epidemic spread and fear and misinformation surrounded the disease, four of the biggest names in music came together to record a song that would become a landmark charity hit. Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder joined forces on That's What Friends Are For, turning a song about friendship and support into a fundraising effort for AIDS research. Released under the name Dionne & Friends, the single became a major commercial success, eventually raising millions of dollars for the American Foundation for AIDS Research, known as amfAR. It also earned major Grammy recognition, giving the campaign a reach far beyond the recording studio.How four music legends came togetherThe song was written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager and had originally been recorded by Rod Stewart for the 1982 film Night Shift. When Warwick took up the song for the charity project, the idea developed into a collaboration featuring Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder.The performers brought together distinct musical styles, creating a recording whose message of loyalty and solidarity resonated with listeners. The project was supported by Bacharach, Bay...