Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
The reissue of “Stars,” the 1985 charity single for famine relief released under the Hear ‘N Aid banner, will finally arrive “next year,” Ronnie James Dio‘s widow and longtime manager Wendy Dio confirmed to Reality Check TV on the red carpet of this year’s Metal Hall of Fame on January 21, 2026 in West Hollywood, California, as per Blabbermouth. Forty metal musicians convened at Hollywood, California’s A&M Records Studios on May 20 and 21, 1985, to work on a song titled “Stars” as part of a unique fundraising initiative dubbed Hear ‘N Aid, which was led by Ronnie James Dio.
Funds for famine relief efforts in Africa and around the world were raised through the “Stars” single and a film documentary about the record’s creation. Together with hundreds of other volunteers, these 40 artists—including members of Mötley Crüe, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Quiet Riot, Twisted Sister, Blue Öyster Cult, and even Spinal Tap—donated their time and skills over the course of four months to make Hear ‘N Aid a reality. “Stars” was an appeal for solidarity in the struggle against world hunger.
The “Stars” song and album were only ever available on vinyl and cassette, and they weren’t released until New Year’s Day, 1986, due to contract disputes with the labels. However, Wendy stated that she was still working to make that right during an interview on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk” in September 2023.
Well, we’ve talked about it a lot. I never seem to have the time, but it will be down the pipeline. I’d like to add some new stuff to it, to get some new, younger bands in there as well to record some stuff along with the old stuff. Obviously all the money will go to [Ronnie James Dio] Stand Up And Shout [Cancer Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable fund dedicated to support research and education that furthers early detection, prevention and treatment of prostate, colon and stomach cancers]. But it is in the works, but we just have to have the time… It’s such a lot of things with… The bands are always great and the musicians are always great. It’s all of the red tape behind it with the managers and the record labels, and that’s what we have to deal with. But we will do it. It will be there sometime soon.
