Inside Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammys event “with Joni Mitchell, Jennifer Lopez

Clive Davis once again filled Beverly Hilton’s international ballroom to the brim with the music industry’s insiders as he presented his pre-Grammy party and concert. As always, Saturday Night’s Show included a unique blend on 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 that was invoiced as a “event” rather than a “gala” because of the disastrous Los Angeles blows that tore through the city last month. While the fire forced a turn – the typically glamorous affair was scaled slightly by mixing the red carpet and its hug of the press and photographers – and introduced a focus on fundraising via Musikares, which always remained the start of the show. On Saturday night, a parade of Grammy -winning and nominated artists who adorned the stage one after the other booked by Effusive introductions from Davis, who 92 jumped over his jaunts to the podium in favor of a sitting perch on the side of the stage.

After an electric opener from a band with Rock and Roll Tongue men – Chris and Nick Robinson from Black Crowes, Andrew Watt, Chad Smith from Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rob Trujillo from Metallica (performing two songs including Black Sabbath’s “War Pigs”) – Recording of Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. the program started by explaining to the Black Tie audience why the event would look “a little different” this year.

“We are here in a city that recoveres from destructive fires, and we are facing a long road ahead. When Brande started, there were actually many questions about whether Grammys should even continue. After hearing state and city leaders and many others, we decided to move forward, ”detailed Mason, who noticed that the musicians had raised and distributed nearly $ 5 million to help with the more than 2,500 music people influenced by fires. “It was not an easy decision, but we know we could use this platform to create awareness and support the first respondents and celebrate the resilience of this community.”

Host Jimmy Kimmel, who was participating in the event by wife Molly McNearney, also paid tribute to the first respondents as well as the industry’s response. “The entertainment society’s response to this tragedy has been overwhelming,” said Kimmel, fresh from performing on stage during the star competition fire aid concert on Thursday night. “Firaid was a big event and raised $ 60 million, and tonight we’ll travel even more.”

As for Davis, Kimmel called him a “living legend” who “still has the fire, he is still competitive.” He added: “A few minutes ago I heard him behind the scene that this fundraiser should” blow the children out of the fucking water. ”” ”

Davis took the limelight back then and proved that he still got his sense of humor despite the circumstances. “Jimmy, thanks for the big introduction that was occasionally funny.” On a serious note, Davis said he has 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. In addition, there was a milestone anniversary for toast and chests to fill in, which is why Davis led the charge by announcing that he would open his wallet with a six -digit donation.

He kept the show in motion by welcoming Canadian crooner Michael Bublé to the lights to pay tribute to the late Quincy Jones with a version of 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 died in December. The clip contained like Rod Stewart, Jane Fonda, David Foster, Diane Warren, Carole Bayer Sager and Ruth Pointer of Pointer Sisters.

Other bold names got special cries from the stage of Davis, who detailed how practice became some of the “signature part” of the history of the event. Receiving love, applause and occasional standing ovation were Berry Gordy, Nancy Pelosi, Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys and man 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 appear later in the show and reveal that she arrived with a gift to him: a work of art she painted almost two decades ago with Elton John.

“You want to be in a moment of longevity,” Davis said of Mitchell’s performance, which included two songs, “Both sides now” and “Summertime.” And it was the moment of the night, when Mitchell, dressed in a beret and sunglasses, got the ballroom to rap with attention as she delivered her set from a throne -like chair, glowing through and looked dizzy with a wide smile when both songs were done .

Delivery of two songs was Davis’ long -time friend and partner Barry Manilow. The legendary crooner, 81, distinguished by performing at the very first gala 50 years ago, and to prove that Davis introduced a clip right from the night that contained the two men in their younger years. “Can you think I looked like this? Can you think Clive looked like that? “Manilow asked to laugh from the crowd. Then he said, “I am so happy to be here to help Clive raise money for these people in the music community affected by these terrible fires. With all the great music that Clive has planned for you, it might all make us feel a little better. ”

He said he had felt better with Davis by his side in all these years on Arista Records. “Although I worked really hard on records that I made, the truth is that Clive always watched me, I don’t know how I got so lucky, but I’m the grateful recipient of this man’s genius.” Manilow received standing ovations for his set that contained “mandy” and “once before I go.”

Other highlights included the rising rap star Doechii with “refusal is a river”, Shaboozey with his Blockbuster-Diagram tops “Tipsy”, Samara Joy with a cover of Betty Carter’s “Tight” Show-Stop turn with “Beautiful Things”, and Teddy Swimmer with a well received performance of his breakout hit “Lose Control.”

Post Malone admitted when he took the stage that he spilled a screwdriver cocktail on himself before coming out to sing by saying, “I didn’t piss my pants.” Wet jeans and everything the superstar delivered “Sunflower”, which he called “My Only Good Song” as a way of honoring the night’s only Honoree Jody Gerson, CEO of Universal Music Publishing. She was feted by her boss, Lucian Grainge, CEO of the Universal Music Group, who called her a “real industry icon” who rightly deserves a party.

“She is completely transformed Universal Music Group Publishing into a global power center and home to the world’s greatest songwriters,” said Grainge, quoting such artists as Adele, Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Sabrina Carpenter, Billie Eilish, Alicia Keys, Her, Kendrick Lamar, Prince, Rosalía and many more.

When she accepted, Gerson admitted that “a few times” early in her career, she actually crashed the pre-Grammys gala. “The first time I did, I was dressed, sneak in without being noticed. I was a nervous wreck, but tried to look like I belonged here. As I went into the party, I came across to smash into Fred Davis, who was very surprised to see me, ”she said of Clive’s son. His second son, Power Lawyer Doug Davis, is the key to organizing the gala these days. Although my career had hardly 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 definitely need artists to bring light out into the world now more than ever. So thank you for everyone here tonight for showing up and celebrating all the Grammy nominees. You help us take the first steps in building a beautiful city and I am so very proud to be part of this wonderful community. “

A person who was a long part of Davis’ inner circle was Whitney Houston. Davis saved his tribute to the great final by saying that his gala was Houston’s favorite evening of the year. She appeared six times over the years, and as such “50th anniversary tonight would not be complete without a performance to honor one of the greatest voices of the time and someone I keep close to my heart.”

Davis then welcomed the gospel’s great Yolanda Adams to the stage to close the show with a reproduction of Houston’s iconic hit “I will always love you.” Before he did, Adams said, “As Clive said, (Whitney) would certainly be here not only in presence, but also. She would give from her heart that we all should. And may this song bless you. “