Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala: A Night of Star-Studded Performances and Honors
The Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala has become a legendary event in the music industry. It is a night filled with star-studded performances, honors, and unforgettable moments. This year marked the gala’s 40th anniversary, and it was held at the iconic Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. The event attracted an impressive collection of stars, including Mariah Carey, Meryl Streep, Cameron Crowe, Julia Garner, Ted Danson, Forest Whitaker, Renee Rapp, and many others.
Clive Davis, the man behind the gala, has been hosting this event since the 1970s. Despite his age, he continues to make it a long commitment for those in attendance. The night starts with a cocktail hour at 7 p.m., and the final acts wrap up six hours later, just past 1 a.m.
The show kicked off at 9:30 sharp with Serena Williams taking the stage to introduce her favorite band, Green Day. The group performed their hit songs “American Idiot” and “Basket Case,” with Billie Joe Armstrong making a clever change to the lyrics. Williams stood on the side of the stage, recording the whole performance and singing along to every word.
Tom Hanks, a beloved actor and friend of Clive Davis, had the honor of introducing the evening’s host. He recited an extensive list of stars that Davis had produced or signed throughout his career, including the likes of Notorious B.I.G., Pink, and Whitney Houston. Hanks praised Davis’s impact on the music industry and referred to him as a chef in the kitchen of the food of love, of music.
Davis himself took the stage wearing a blue-sequined suit and his signature red-gradient glasses. He expressed his gratitude for everyone’s presence and emphasized that music is alive and well. The night was filled with performances from this year’s Best New Artist nominees, as well as established superstars. Mark Ronson brought rising country star Lainey Wilson to perform a song from the Barbie film, replacing Ryan Gosling. Ice Spice, Noah Kahan, and Victoria Monet also delivered impressive performances.
One of the highlights of the night was Josh Groban and Michael Trotter Jr of the War and Treaty performing a gospel-tinged cover of Simon and Garfunkel’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water.” Jelly Roll, a rising star from Tennessee, brought out a choir for his performance and even had the opportunity to perform his Grammy-nominated duet “Save Me” with Lainey Wilson.
Apart from the performances, the gala also honored Jon Platt, the chairman and CEO of Sony Music Publishing, with the Salute to Industry Icons honor. Public Enemy and the Isley Brothers gave sets to honor Platt before he delivered a heartfelt speech. The Isley Brothers thanked Platt and performed their classic hit “Shout.”
The night came to a close with the empress of soul, Gladys Knight, taking the stage. She started with “The Way We Were” and then brought Dionne Warwick to join her for a duet of “That’s What Friends Are For.” Stevie Wonder made a surprise appearance and played a harmonica solo during their performance. The trio ended the night with a rendition of “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” with Wonder calling for peace and an end to violence in the Middle East.
The Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala once again proved to be a night of unforgettable performances and well-deserved honors. It showcased the incredible talent within the music industry and celebrated the power of music to bring people together. As Clive Davis said, “Music is alive and well,” and this gala was a testament to that statement.