35 Years of MLK Day: Do you remember this anthem?

January 20, 1986. The first official day and year that MLK day was formally observed in the U.S. The same year I was born. It is hard to believe that it has only been a federal holiday for 35 years. In celebration of its establishment, a collaboration consisting of many of the great artists of the era and future legends was created and released. It came a few years after another 80s song by another legend was recorded as a part of the campaign to make the day an official holiday: Stevie Wonder’s “Happy Birthday”, which I wrote about here.

The song is “King Holiday” by what was dubbed the King Chorus and Holiday Crew. I love this song so much. Produced by hip hop pioneer Kurtis Blow, it is so 80s, and I love it! From the artists to the composition and instrumentation, it is very much of its time. It was released in what seemed to be the decade of the “music superstar collaborations for a good cause”. Band Aid’s “Do They Know It’s Christmas” and USA for Africa’s “We Are The World” both come to mind. I adore all three songs, but maybe that’s the nostalgic, romantic, and slightly corny 80s baby in me.

At any rate, the King Chorus and Holiday Crew consisted of the following artists, some of which are all-time favorites of mine: Melle Mel, Whodini, Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, The Fat Boys, New Edition, Menudo(with a young Ricky Martin), Stacy Lattisaw, Teena Marie, El Debarge, Whitney Houston, James “J.T.” Taylor of Kool & the Gang, Stephanie Mills, Lisa Lisa, and Full Force. Prince also funded the music video. What a group of artists!

Unfortunately, it seems as if this wonderful song has been all but forgotten nowadays. I make it a point to post it on my Facebook page every year on MLK day to remind folks. This is the first MLK day since I started this blog, so I had to write an entry for this song.

Happy MLK Day!