Four Relief, Quincy Jones Tribute and New Talent EnergyIs on 50th Annual Pre-Grammy Advantage Gala

Los Angeles (AP) – 50 years ago, Music Mogul Clive Davis Threw a party to celebrate the release of Arista Records’ first Grammy Record of the Year -Nominated: Barry Manilows “Mandy.” Stevie Wonder appeared. So did John Denver and Elton John.

What was a one -off celebration for a sustained hit reshaped to one of the most well -known and most exclusive parties of the year: the year’s annual Pre-Grammy Fundraising Event Hosted by Davis, held every year the Saturday before the Sunday Award show.

At the Gala 2025, again held At Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, Manilow performed his 1975 classic. He was introduced with a short video depicting him that did the same five decades before.

“Can you think I looked like that,” Manilow joked after participants saw both versions. “Can you think Clive looked like that?”

There was a lot to celebrate for five decades but in the direct demand for The devastating fires of fires in the Los Angeles area It destroyed more than 14,000 structures and displaced tens of thousands of people, efforts to create awareness and donations characterized the night.

A QR code was placed at each table and flashed on screens to encourage contributions to the Recording Academy and its affiliated Musicares -Welcome to help The auxiliary effort. The evening, notorious to run into the little hours in the morning, ended at a respectable at. 11.30 pm to avoid distracting from the cause.

“This one is a little different,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said in his opening markings. “We knew we could use this platform” to honor the first respondents and celebrate “the resilience of this community.”

Since the launch of La Wildfire Relief efforts, the Academy has raised “nearly $ 5 million in assistance,” he announced.

The tonal change came as no surprise. The annual event was one of the few 2025 Grammy Week events not canceled Due to fires.

Many artists and industry veterans spent their time on stage to get attention to relief efforts.

“Take care of the people who kick ass on the front lines, the first respondents,” said the charismatic Post Malone after a demolished arrangement of his 2018 track “Sunflower”, the first certified single of 20x at 20x, which he described as his ” only good song. ”

Set was a mixture of legendary talent, just like Joni Mitchell Moving some to tears with “both sides now” and newer voices including Samara Joy and 2025 best new artist -nominated Doechii, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims and Benson Boone, the latter of which ended his performance with an athletic flip.

Sprinkled through the performances was tribute to the late, big Manufacturer Quincy Jones.

Michael Bublé covered “Fly Me to the Moon”, Jennifer Hudson Belt through Aretha Franklins “(You get me to you.”

Jody Gerson, chairman and CEO of the Universal Music Publishing Group, was honored with 2025 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award at the star -studded event.

“I have a confession. There were a few times early in my career where I crashed this party, ”she said, noting that she received her first invitation in the early 2000s and was honored” deeply, deeply touched “her.

“Music can brighten our darkest days,” Gerson said. “And we need artists to bring lights now more than ever.”

Gerson has broken the glass ceiling throughout his career. She is the first chairman of a global music company and the first woman named CEO of a major music publisher. The long list of superstars she has been working with includes Malone, Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, Lana del Rey, Ariana Grande, Coldplay, Drake, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Kendrick Lamar and of course Taylor Swift.

“She is a true industry icon that rightly deserves a party,” said CEO of Universal Music Group Lucian Grainge, who introduced Gerson. “She has completely transformed Universal Music Group Publishing.”

Accessing Davis’ event is notoriously challenging. The A-Lists that made the clip this year included Jennifer Lopez, BabyFace, Gayle King, Nancy Pelosi, Jack Antonoff, Tems, Willow Smith, Berry Gordy, Paris Hilton, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Diane WarrenGracie Abrams, John Stamos and Justin Tranter.

Who wouldn’t have a ticket to “Clive Davis’ Bar Mitzvah,” asked comedian Jimmy Kimmel before advertising the hour of the hour.

“He’s a living legend,” said Kimmel.

Given Davis’ unique influence in the music industry through his work with Houston, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen, just to name a few, it was no wonder that so many were happy to participate. But this year the gala was less of a party and more of a reflection of what can happen when the music industry meets to support each other and society after a disaster.