MTV & Radio SABOTAGED Dio’s Moment…
The story of Hear ‘N Aid – the forgotten metal supergroup.
IGNORED By MTV: Heavy Metal’s Forgotten Charity Album: Hear ‘N Aid
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Discover the lost story of Hear ‘N Aid—heavy metal’s answer to Band Aid and USA for Africa. In 1985, rock legends led by Ronnie James Dio joined forces to create “Stars,” an epic charity anthem featuring members of Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe, Quiet Riot, Twisted Sister, W.A.S.P., Blue Öyster Cult, and more. Their mission: fight the Ethiopian famine and prove that metal could make a difference.
But while pop supergroups ruled the airwaves with “We Are the World” and “Do They Know It’s Christmas?”, Hear ‘N Aid battled industry stigma, radio silence, and MTV snubs. Despite uniting 40+ icons and raising $1–$3 million for global famine relief, commercial success was sabotaged by delayed release, label disputes, and heavy-metal bias.
Learn how Ronnie James Dio and the metal community shattered stereotypes and left a lasting legacy through this forgotten charity album. See behind-the-scenes drama, powerful guitar heroes, and a cult classic that changed perceptions of rock forever.
If you love 80s metal, music history, or epic collaborations, you don’t want to miss this story of solidarity, controversy, and the hidden impact of Hear ‘N Aid.
@rnrtruestories
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
This was a subscriber request and we’ve got a few more requests coming this week! Throw suggestions below.
@hughjass124
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
Hear N Aid was an epic song with amazing musicians from the genre.
@alexrossi4464
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
Dio my favorite metal singer and band! ❤
@User.No1990
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
Meanwhile the Ethiopian kids were like look at these long haired gay maniacs trying to bring our land back through yelling and screaming 😂😂
@loboblanco4426
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
The 80s was also the height of the satanic panic.
@CliveWilliams-f5b
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
This was for charity, the labels should have stayed out of this
@Nevernowaynope
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
Have you seen the '80s Swedish Metal Aid song/video 'Give a Helpin' Hand' ? Fair warning – you can't unsee, or unhear it…
@teaguebates5807
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
That was a great essay
@grace86rascal
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
if you do that you’ll go….. blind
@dranilome
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
The divide amidst normies and metals.
@somarriba333
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
I was little when these songs came out. I basically listened to whatever was on the radio so I liked everything from pop, rock, metal, to rap. Metal became my favorite. I LOVED "We Are The World". I do remember this being kind of lame. Probably because it came after. WAY after from the looks of it. I didn't know Dio was involved (I would not have known who Dio was at that point), but I'm in Dio mood right now so I'll give this a listen again.
@bobthebear1246
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
Great video. Being that I had just turned 19 when this came-out, I remember this VERY well. Loved the song then and still love it now. They may have raised 'only' $2-3 million, but they still made a difference.
Some fun facts: Paul Shortino, then of Rough Cutt and who had played Duke Fame in a brief cameo in the middle of This Is Spinal Tap, sang with his onscreen rivals in Hear 'N' Aid. He also sang with Kevin DuBrow, whom he would soon replace in Quiet Riot. 🙂
Honestly, considering Kevin's notoriously toxic attitude to other Metal bands, I'm still extremely surprised he did this at all!! 😳
@TheVagician
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
stars sounds great, i didnt know it existed. gotta go listen to it now thank you! 😁
@gregbenwell6173
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
In parts of New York state they still refuse to play many heavy metal hits!! IN the 1980s very few songs would ever air in Ithaca or Binghamton New York on normal radio!!! And still today most radio stations REFUSE to play many beloved bands, songs and albums!!!
@ponzo1967
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
I remember that sick joke: What do you call a 55 pound Ethiopian? Bubba
@ponzo1967
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
Because if they did he would no longer be a Rainbow in the Dark 😄
@Bigjohn-007
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
I would love video on Don Dokken, almost becoming the lead singer of the scorpions after klaus lost his voice
@chudleylecorre
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
I love this tune …the guitar solo was sooooooo good …still play it now …. Have it on 12” …classic
@Bigjohn-007
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
Great video, I felt the only thing left out was Geoff Tate was mostly unknown at this time however, Dio knew to showcase his powerful voice for the climax of the song.
@TheEWFX29
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
I had the single version with Stars on one side and the song with the full solo on side 2. That solo was the craziest thing I ever heard on a song. The solo just went on and on. It was wild. It was like the song was skipping with the solo just being the only thing going. But it was important and tried to do right but at that time the rocks stars helping people thing sort of turned and was almost seen as too much and it was totally ignored. I dont think I ever heard the song on radio outside of heavy metal shows. And the video was hardly played again only on heavy metal shows. It is a shame and shows why the music industry has turned on itself and is reaching the end of its cycle. Sad.
@Jaggerbush
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
We are stars just a bit tone deaf
@lexzbuddy
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
Dio was terrible
@philharmonicwittgenstein9662
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
When I first heard of this project I was in from that point. The track Stars is freaking brilliant and I loved the album that ensued. RJD was not only a master of his craft but a man of immense passion, as was his lovely wife. The enthusiasm that was displayed and apparent from all the legends who participated in this project deserve much thanks and eternal blessings.
@crusheverything4449
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
In the mid-80s, heavy metal was NOT a "niche genre". It's this ignorant mentality that sabotaged the song Stars' commercial potential.
@Mike-bx2lu
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
George Harrisons Concert for Bangladesh was the first big charity rock show, with a hit single if i recall. Feel free to correct me.
@yomamasofat77
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
Those pop stars were not going to allow metal artists to be a part of it
@Darren-t9b
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
I still blast it out
@johnglynn9354
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
I am a huge fan of all the bands that were a part of we are stars…but the song is terrible. That's why it was a flop.
@suzan_uzi
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
I miss Ronnie he was amazing, still so underrated ❤🔥
@jimifritz
December 30, 2025 at 10:23 am
The collaboration of all these bands, resulted in mediocrity
Comments are closed.