Clive Davis once again filled the Beverly Hilton’s international ballroom to the brim with music industry insiders as he presented his pre-Grammy celebration and concert. As always, Saturday night’s show featured a unique mix at the microphone of legends (Joni Mitchell, Barry Manilow), rising stars (Shaboozey, Benson Boone and Teddy Swims) and rock royalty (members of Black Crowes, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica).
But this year’s starry event had a new moniker on the program, billed as an “event” rather than a “gala,” due to the catastrophic Los Angeles blazes that ripped through the city last month. While the wildfires forced a pivot — the typically glamorous affair got scaled back a bit by nixing the red carpet and its crush of press and photographers — and introduced a focus on fundraising via MusiCares, music, as always, remained the start of the show. Saturday night delivered a parade of Grammy winning and nominated performers gracing the stage one after another, bookended by effusive introductions from Davis, who, at 92, skipped his jaunts to the podium in favor of a seated perch at the side of the stage.
Following an electric opener from a band of rock and roll heavy hitters — Chris and Nick Robinson of the Black Crowes, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith of the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rob Trujillo of Metallica (performing two songs including Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs”) — Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. kicked off the program by explaining to the black tie crowd why the event would look “a little different” this year.
“We’re here in a city recovering from devastating wildfires and we’re facing a long road ahead. When the fires started, there were actually a lot of questions about whether the Grammys should even go on. After consulting with state and city leaders, and many others, we decided to move forward,” detailed Mason, who noted that MusiCares had raised and distributed almost $5 million in aid to the more than 2,500 music professionals impacted by the fires. “It was not an easy decision but we know we could use this platform to raise awareness and support first responders and celebrate the resilience of this community.”
Host Jimmy Kimmel, joined at the event by wife Molly McNearney, also paid tribute to first responders as well as the industry response. “The entertainment community’s response to this tragedy has been overwhelming,” said Kimmel, fresh from appearing on stage during the star-packed fire relief concert on Thursday night. “FireAid was a great event and raised $60 million and tonight we’re going to raise even more.”
Regarding Davis, Kimmel called him a “living legend” who “still has the fire, he’s still competitive.” He added: “A few minutes ago, I heard him backstage that this fundraiser was going to ‘blow Feed the Children out of the fucking water.’”
Davis took the spotlight then and proved he’s still got his sense of humor despite the circumstances. “Jimmy, thank you for that great introduction, which was occasionally funny.” On a serious note, Davis said that he’s often found that good “arises from the life spring of pain,” which is why he and the Academy decided to transform the event and keep it on the calendar. Plus, there was a milestone anniversary to toast and coffers to fill which is why Davis led the charge by announcing that he would open his wallet with a six-figure donation.
He kept the show moving by welcoming Canadian crooner Michael Bublé to the lights to pay tribute to the late Quincy Jones with a version of the Frank Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.” It was followed by another tribute, this one via video and in honor of the late Richard Perry, who passed away in December. The clip featured the likes of Rod Stewart, Jane Fonda, David Foster, Diane Warren, Carole Bayer Sager and Ruth Pointer of the Pointer Sisters.
Other bold-faced names got special shout outs from the stage by Davis, who detailed how the practice became something of “a signature part” of the event’s history. Receiving love, applause and the occasional standing ovation were Berry Gordy, Nancy Pelosi, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys and husband Swizz Beatz, Gayle King, Jack Antonoff and wife Margaret Qualley, Gladys Knight, Bill Maher, Ari Melber, Chazz Palminteri and more. He saved special praise for Joni Mitchell by announcing that she would perform later in the show and revealing that she arrived with a gift for him: a piece of art she painted nearly two decades ago featuring Elton John.
“You will be in for a moment of lifetime,” Davis said of Mitchell’s performance that included two songs, “Both Sides Now” and “Summertime.” And it was the moment of the night as Mitchell, clad in a beret and sunglasses, had the ballroom rapt with attention as she delivered her set from a throne-like chair, glowing throughout and looking giddy with a wide smile when both songs finished.
Also delivering two songs was Davis’ longtime friend and collaborator Barry Manilow. The legendary crooner, 81, had the distinction of performing at the very first gala 50 years ago, and to prove it, Davis introduced a clip from that very night that featured a the two men in their younger years. “Can you believe I looked like that? Can you believe Clive looked like that?” Manilow asked to laughs from the crowd. Then, he said, “I’m so happy to be here to help Clive raise money for those people in the music community affected by these horrible fires. With all of the great music that Clive’s got planned for you, maybe it would all make us feel a little bit better.”
He said he’s felt better with Davis by his side all these years at Arista Records. “Although I worked real hard on records that I made, the truth is that Clive was always watching over me, I don’t know how I got so lucky but I am the grateful recipient of this man’s genius.” Manilow received standing ovations for his set that featured “Mandy” and “Once Before I Go.”
Other highlights included rising rap star Doechii with “Denial is a River,” Shaboozey with his blockbuster chart topper “Tipsy,” Samara Joy with a cover of Betty Carter’s “Tight,” Benson Boone (in a skintight jumpsuit) with powerful vocals and a show-stopping turn with “Beautiful Things,” and Teddy Swims with a well-received performance of his breakout hit “Lose Control.”
Post Malone admitted upon taking the stage that he spilled a screwdriver cocktail on himself before he came out to sing by saying, “I did not piss my pants.” Wet jeans and all, the superstar delivered “Sunflower,” which he called “my only good song,” as a way to honor the night’s sole honoree Jody Gerson, CEO of Universal Music Publishing. She was feted by her boss, Lucian Grainge, CEO of Universal Music Group, who called her a “true industry icon” who rightly deserves a celebration.
“She’s completely transformed Universal Music Group Publishing into a global powerhouse and the home of the world’s greatest songwriters,” Grainge said, citing such artists as Adele, Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Alicia Keys, H.E.R., Kendrick Lamar, Prince, Rosalía and many more.
In accepting, Gerson confessed that “a few times” early in her career, she actually crashed the pre-Grammys gala. “The first time I did it, I got all dressed up, snuck in without being noticed. I was a nervous wreck, but trying to look like I belonged here. When I walked into the party, I bump smacked into Fred Davis, who was very surprised to see me,” she said of Clive’s son. His other son, power lawyer Doug Davis, is key to organizing the gala these days. Even though my career had barely started at that moment, I was sure it was already over.”
But now she’s an icon. “Music can brighten even our darkest days, and we surely need artists to bring light into the world now more than ever. So thank you for everyone who is here tonight for showing up and celebrating all of the Grammy nominees. You are helping us take the first steps in building back a beautiful city, and I’m so very proud to be part of this wonderful community.”
Someone who was long part of Davis’ inner circle was Whitney Houston. Davis saved her tribute for the big finale by saying that his gala was Houston’s favorite night of the year. She performed six times over the years, and as such, “the 50th anniversary tonight wouldn’t be complete without a performance to honor one of the greatest voices of all time and someone I hold close to my heart.”
Davis then welcomed gospel great Yolanda Adams to the stage to close the show with a rendition of Houston’s iconic hit “I Will Always Love You.” Before doing so, Adams said, “As Clive said, [Whitney] would definitely be here not only in presence but in substance as well. She would give from her heart as all of us should. And may this song bless you.”
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