Stars

The Zoo Crew is spinning the epic charity single "Stars" by Hear 'n Aid, a 1986 release from the album Hear 'n Aid, and the Zoo Freaks are loving this heavy metal masterpiece! This track is a true gem, born out of a desire to make a difference. In a 1985 interview captured in the documentary Hear 'n Aid: The Sessions, Ronnie James Dio shared how the project came to life after he, Jimmy Bain, and Vivian Campbell noticed the lack of hard rock representation at a KLOS radio charity Radiothon for African famine relief. Inspired by Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and USA for Africa’s “We Are the World,” they co-wrote “Stars” to rally the metal community. The recording sessions on May 20 and 21, 1985, at A&M Records Studios in Los Angeles brought together 40 iconic musicians, creating a supergroup vibe that was, as Don Dokken later said in a 2022 Louder interview, “one moment in hard rock history that we can all be proud of.”

What makes “Stars” stand out is its jaw-dropping lineup and structure. The song features eight lead vocalists, including Ronnie James Dio, Rob Halford of Judas Priest, and Geoff Tate of Queensrÿche, trading verses, while a massive chorus of metal legends like Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe and Ted Nugent backed them up. The highlight for many is the six-minute guitar solo, a tag-team effort from shredders like Yngwie Malmsteen, George Lynch, and Neal Schon, as noted in a 2023 Earworm post by Steve Goldberg. Funnily enough, the parody band Spinal Tap joined in, with Michael McKean’s David St. Hubbins quipping about Malmsteen’s unique name, adding a touch of humor to the serious cause. A 2018 X post from @OfficialRJDio celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the recording, noting that the project raised over $1 million for famine relief, though Wendy Dio later claimed it reached $3 million, per a 2011 statement.

Behind the scenes, the project wasn’t without hiccups. Contractual disputes with various artists’ labels delayed the release until New Year’s Day 1986, as mentioned in a 2004 Wikipedia entry, which dulled its impact compared to its pop counterparts. There was also a near-miss with Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page, who committed to a solo but backed out without explanation after Live Aid, as Ronnie and Wendy Dio revealed in project interviews. Despite these challenges, the song peaked at No. 26 on the UK Singles Chart in April 1986 and got airplay on MTV’s Heavy Metal Mania. Music historian Eddie Trunk praised the effort, saying in a 2024 Trivia Mafia article, “It showed that just because you’re into metal, it doesn’t mean you’re a moron. You can still care about people.”

Hear 'n Aid was a one-off charity project, not a traditional band, spearheaded by Ronnie James Dio, Jimmy Bain, and Vivian Campbell, all members of the band Dio. The project formed in 1985 to raise funds for African famine relief, uniting 40 heavy metal musicians from bands like Iron Maiden, Mötley Crüe, and Twisted Sister. Ronnie James Dio, the driving force, was already a metal legend, having fronted Rainbow and Black Sabbath before forming Dio in 1982. His vision for Hear 'n Aid came from a deep commitment to charity, as he was known for supporting various causes, per a 2011 Last.fm bio. Jimmy Bain and Vivian Campbell, inspired by the lack of metal voices in mainstream charity singles, pitched the idea to Dio during a KLOS Radiothon, and the trio quickly penned “Stars” to showcase the genre’s heart and talent.

Since Hear 'n Aid was a singular project, it doesn’t have an official website or active social media accounts. However, Ronnie James Dio’s legacy lives on through his official channels, which occasionally reference the project. Check out the Ronnie James Dio official website for more on his career and charitable work. Fans can also follow the Official Ronnie James Dio Facebook page, the Official Ronnie James Dio Instagram, and the @OfficialRJDio X account for updates and tributes, including occasional nods to Hear 'n Aid. For fan communities, the Ronnie James Dio Fans Facebook group is a vibrant space where Zoo Freaks can connect with others who love “Stars” and Dio’s work. While there’s no dedicated Hear 'n Aid fan site, the Encyclopaedia Metallum page offers detailed info on the project’s lineup and discography.