Academy joins Clive Davis to present star-studded event the night before the GRAMMYs

GRAMMY.com
Chuck Crisafulli

The hottest ticket in town during GRAMMY Week is clearly the one that gets you into the GRAMMY Awards show. But, for nearly 30 years, the second most coveted ticket has been the one that gets you into music executive extraordinaire Clive Davis' pre-GRAMMY party the night before the show. Davis is nothing short of a living legend in the music industry, and his parties have become legendary as the most star-studded and excitement-packed of VIP bashes. Through the years, an array of A-list talents have performed at these events, turning the celebrations into the ultimate, intimate, “insider” concerts.

This year, for the first time, The Recording Academy partnered with Davis to make the Pre-GRAMMY Gala an official part of GRAMMY Week. At the Gala, held Saturday night at the Beverly Hilton, Davis not only served in his usual role as a warm and generous host, but was also presented with The Academy's President's Merit Award at the fifth annual GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons.

During red-carpet arrivals, all sorts of music stars, movie stars and celebrities mingled on their way in to the evening's fun: Slash, will.i.am, Val Kilmer, Joan Collins, Paula Abdul, longtime GRAMMY host Andy Williams, even the second man to walk on the moon, Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin. Once inside, attendees feasted on a sumptuous dinner and were then welcomed by Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow, who called Davis "a national treasure to our industry and to the world of music." Portnow also pointed out that Davis was the rare music executive who had joined the club of performers known instantly by a single name: Frank, Bing, Aretha, Whitney. When those in the music business speak of “Clive,” there's no doubt who's being referred to he said.

Portnow turned the stage over to Bill Maher, who had the crowd both gasping and roaring with laughter as he offered some characteristically acerbic thoughts on music, Michael Phelps, octuplets, and Bruce Springsteen's pelvis-first slide into a Super Bowl TV camera. Before bringing Davis to the stage, he affectionately poked fun at the executive's longevity in the business, remarking, "Clive discovered Earth, Wind & Fire — not the band, the elements."

Davis himself took over to begin serving as the evening's host, and in his long-standing tradition of acknowledging some of the notables in the crowd, he first welcomed three particular attendees who he said had created music that affected everyone in the room: Sir Paul McCartney, Prince, and Sly Stone. Throughout the evening Davis continued to offer welcomes and acknowledgments to such guests as Quincy Jones, Berry Gordy, Taylor Swift, Herbie Hancock, Rihanna, Kanye West, Duffy, Missy Elliot, and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigoso.

The evening's musical performances were kicked off by Rod Stewart, one of the major artists to sign with Davis' J Records label. In his trademark plaid jacket and sporting his distinctive mop of hair, Stewart revved through a spirited version of his hit "Some Guys Have All The Luck," and then a cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival classic "Who'll Stop The Rain." Davis has traditionally showcased some newer artists at his parties, and this year that slot went to three-time GRAMMY nominees Kings Of Leon. "I know you don't know who the hell we are," said frontman Caleb Followill, "But thank you for being respectful." His understatement was clear as the band proceeded to kick up the energy in the room with versions of "Sex On Fire" and "Use Somebody."

Leona Lewis made a career-launching splash at Davis' party last year, and returned this year to deliver a soaring, emotional performance of her GRAMMY Record Of The Year-nominated "Bleeding Love." Lewis was accompanied on piano by the song's co-writer, Ryan Tedder (who, as OneRepublic frontman, is a Best Pop Performance By Duo Or Group With Vocals nominee for "Apologize"). Next, the stage was taken by Sean "P. Diddy" Combs, who received a crucial career break from Davis when the executive supported his Bad Boy Records venture. Combs offered heartfelt words of love and respect to Davis, then brought the crowd to its feet with a powerful rendition of "I'll Be Missing You," his tribute to the late Notorious B.I.G. For that song, and a follow-up medley of several of his up-tempo hits, Combs was joined by vocalist Faith Evans.

Kelly Clarkson offered a two-song set that covered a wide span of Davis' history. First was her latest single, "My Life Would Suck Without You." Then, because Davis had asked her to perform something associated with his legacy, she announced that she'd sing "the first song I ever did on a talent show," and delivered a blistering, hard-rocking version of Janis Joplin's "Piece Of My Heart." Usher had been scheduled to perform, but when a family emergency prevented him from attending, Josh Groban stepped in as a last-minute replacement. Groban apologized in advance for attempting a song that hadn't been rehearsed, but went on to perform a remarkably stirring "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
 
Davis announced the next act by saying, "I don't use this word often, but here is the 'incomparable' Jennifer Hudson." Hudson took the stage in diva style and delivered a searing performance of "Spotlight." She was then joined onstage by one of the biggest stars associated with Davis, Barry Manilow. Manilow and Hudson sat together at the piano and dueted on a powerful, heart-tugging version of his "Weekend In New England." Manilow then proceeded to take a solo spot to deliver a celebratory tune written especially for the evening, "Enter Clive."

The evening ended with a dynamic performance from Whitney Houston, who teased the crowd with some restrained lines of "I Will Always Love You" before launching into an exuberant, party-pumping version of "I'm Every Woman" that had the crowd on its feet and dancing to the end.

Reflecting on his night of music, friendship and celebration, as well as the honor of being a President's Merit Award recipient, Davis put it simply: "My cup runneth over."

(Read our GRAMMY Week event blogs.)