Barack and Michelle Obama, if you don't already have plans for Saturday night, Clive Davis I would like a word. When asked who he would most like to attend the Recording Academy's Pre-Grammy Gala, the legendary director and chief creative officer of Sony Music says the 44u president and his wife. “They should come this year, they'll love it!” he adds with a laugh. No president or former president has ever attended the event, although former Vice President Al Gore attended in 2007 with his then-wife Tipper.
Obamas or not, Davis will preside over the Feb. 3 event — as he has since the first gala in 1976 — at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, which promises to bring together the usual constellation of stars from the worlds of music, sports, cinema and politics. Sen. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is expected to attend on the 24thu or 25u time (Davis can't remember exactly), as have sports greats Scottie Pippen, Serena Williams and Martina Navratilova. SZA, this year's top Grammy nominee (whom Davis caught up with on Wednesday Advertising sign's Power 100 party), will be there, as will Best New Artist nominees Noah Kahan, Ice Spice and Jelly Roll, as well as icons such as Gladys Knight, Diana Ross and Berry Gordy.
Not attending this year (though definitely invited) will be Taylor Swift, whose tour rehearsals prevented her from coming, Davis says — before launching into a touching story about how his respect for Swift grew even greater when she sang every word to “Chances Are” in 2015 as legendary singer Johnny Mathis performed a greatest hits set.
Davis, dressed in a bright purple blazer and purple sweater — with his Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Charlie, by his side at the Beverly Hilton — spoke with Advertising sign for this year's gala on Thursday (February 1), as well as some memories of years past. As always, the list of performers remains a secret until the evening, though attendees can expect the usual mix of hot newcomers, superstars and at least one classic artist among the 10 or 11 acts. The most Davis will reveal is to tease a possible duet between two artists who have never met.
Check out our conversation below.
When you started the party in 1976 to honor Barry Manilow and his Grammy nominations, did you imagine it would still be going on 48 years later?
It never crossed my mind. What I did know was that Barry had come to me — he said, “Every record company has a party, where's our party?” And I said, 'Barry, we just started, we're going to have two tables at Chasen's. We can have the party the night before. We just launched Arista. people will want to wish us well.” We ended up having it at the Bel Air Hotel. Stevie Wonder came, John Denver came, Elton John came. That is why this tradition has continued, and it is endlessly moving that the top players of each company [attend].
Already thinking about the 50th?
No. I take it one year at a time.
When do people start asking you for an invite?
I would say months earlier, because it is not based on any factor, [like] who is playing They know the tradition. they know the story. What they usually ask if they have come before is for a plus-one, which is usually ruled out.
And then most painfully, as we welcome new players from Spotify, from the streaming world, from new organizations and those who have become label presidents who have never been there, we have a finite number of people we can invite. For every new member, we really have to either cancel a plus-one or say, “Sorry.” It's not just that they want to be there, they feel that if they're in music professionally, they're kind of diminished [if they don’t receive an invitation]. And that is painful. And I don't want to talk about it lightly or matter-of-factly. It is painful especially for me, who has been in the business for as long. And we have no choice because they are not actually active yet.
You can move it to a bigger location.
We don't want to make it a bigger part. I mean, you can taste the performances. you can see them interacting, artists asking John Legend to help on this song, Melissa Etheridge to help on this song. This context is part of the evening.
What can you say about the documentary being prepared for the gala?
The documentary is the party story pure and simple. The team examines the history of the entire party and gasps at the incredible history of legendary performances. I mean, Whitney [Houston] played the party six times. The year [2000] that I started J Records and she knew we weren't going to work together, we never knew we'd be reunited as quickly as we were. But that year, the party only had two featured artists. That was Santana, because of their huge success, and Whitney. And covering Whitney's performance, coming up to me and singing, “I Believe in You and Me” and “I Will Always Love You” — oh, I mean, it'll rip your heart out. So they have all that, they're excited about what's there.
Is every party shot?
They pass it. We have many parties that have been filmed. Sure, they've been filmed in recent years, but we've got you covered [past parties.]
You mentioned the Obamas as people you'd like to attend. Who is someone you wish had played, dead or alive?
Prince. He attended, but never played. He was in the audience.
We've lost so many amazing artists this past year, including Jimmy Buffett and Tina Turner. Paying tribute to them or any of the other people we lost this year?
We have, in the past, done tributes. We don't pay homage [this year]. In a way we celebrate an artist, but not because we lost that artist. The evening will close with a tribute to an artist.
This is another tantalizing hint. This year, Sony Music Publishing president/CEO Jon Platt will receive the Industry Icons Award. Does he get to choose any of the performers?
The honoree will have two artists, historically, perform in honor of their choice. We've never really worked together, but I'm a big fan of his talent. I admire the talent of someone who has built a deep personal relationship with artists where they feel they have to perform and represent for him. This is a great talent. And he's one of those people who has a great personal relationship with artists. [Davis confirmed to Entertainment Tonight that Platt’s friends, Beyonce and Jay Z, would be in attendance].
How much attention do you pay to the seating chart — even though your son, Doug, and longtime event producer Stacy Carr handle many of the details?
I pay close attention — because, with all due respect to those who do the original [seating chart], having been in the industry all these years, you really want to sit people down so that they understand that there is parity between them and others. It is human nature among these artists. So I look at it very carefully, and [seating chart] the painting will be released, probably from tonight.
Where will you be watching the Grammys on Sunday night?
I have a select number of people watching with me in my hotel suite. I like the close-ups. It's definitely more personal. I have a lot of people coming, some business associates and friends, and we watch it together. And then I'm going to the Sony party.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/music/awards/clive-davis-pre-grammy-gala-taylor-swift-1235596901/