The annual Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala is a lot like a Rolling Stones tour: For years, those lucky enough to attend have wondered if they just saw the last show. And yet, somehow, a little unbelievably, there is always one more.
After forty years, the gala returned to the Beverly Hilton once again, remaining the event of Grammy Week as an impressive line-up of stars including Mariah Carey, Meryl Streep, Cameron Crowe, Julia Garner, Ted Danson, Forest Whitaker, Renee. Rapp and many others piled into the hotel ballroom.
Davis is much older than when he first started hosting his gala in the 1970s, but the event remains a long-term commitment for those who attend and stay throughout the show. Guests arrive at cocktail hour at 7 p.m.
At 9:30 the show started and Serena Williams, wearing a black dress with gold sleeves, introduced her “favorite band” Green Day. The band performed “American Idiot” for the first time, with Billie Joe Armstrong once again replacing the lyric “redneck agenda” with “MAGA agenda”. “Don't cheer, vote,” Armstrong said before starting Dookie classic “Cassette Case”. Williams stood stage left, recording the entire performance and singing along to every word.
Tom Hanks introduced the evening's eponymous host, reciting an extensive list of many of the stars Davis had produced or signed from the Notorious BIG to Pink, and of course Whitney Houston.
“Can Clive Davis play an ED, A minor chord progression on a six-chord? Can Clive Davis set a baseline or drive the hi-hat? Can Clive Davis play the black keys on Senate Steinway 88s? “Has Clive Davis ever held a trumpet or a melodrama in one hand,” asked Hanks.
Tom Hanks at the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP
“We don't know and we don't care. He had as much influence on the science, industry, and arts of music as any man with a heart, brain, and well-tuned ears. Clive Davis is a chef in the kitchen of the food of love, music.”
“This night is really so special to me and I hope to all of you,” said Davis, wearing a blue sequined suit and his signature red gradient glasses, before dropping his name to several of the high-profile attendees in the audience. I often performed between shows throughout the evening. “Music is alive and well.”
The rest of the night will feature several of this year's Best New Artist nominees, as well as a healthy mix of past gala vets and established superstars. Going up first was a bit of a curveball, though, as Mark Ronson brought up rising country star Lainey Wilson to perform “I'm Just Ken” from Barbie film, replacing Ryan Gosling. Before the show, Davis had originally asked Ronson to act with Gosling, but with the actor unavailable, Ronson suggested Wilson as a replacement.
Laney Wilson and Mark Ronson perform at the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP
Ice Spice – the favorite to take home this year's Best New Artist – followed soon after, belting out her viral TikTok hit 'Deli'. Nominee Noah Kahan, who jokingly referred to himself as “Mumford's son,” followed with a folksy, banjo-heavy back-to-back of “Stick Season” and “Dial Drunk.”
The third Best New Artist nominee, Victoria Monet, in a brown embellished jumpsuit and flanked by two female dancers, gave one of the most impressive performances of the night with “On My Mama,” which Rolling rock dubbed the 10th best song of 2023.
Similarly great were War and Treaty's Josh Groban and Michael Trotter Jr who performed a gospel cover of Simon and Garfunkel's 'Bridge Over Troubled Water'. Jelly Roll, who had just performed Bon Jovi's “Bad Medicine” the night before at the MusiCares Person of the Year Gala, continued the gospel, bringing a chorus for “Need a Favor.”
Jelly Roll performs at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy gala.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP
“This is my first Grammy week, I've been nominated for two and I'm loving every second of it,” she said after the first song, adding that she read about Davis' gala for years growing up in Tennessee. . “Excuse me, I'm a little nervous, Tom Hanks is here, man.” Jelly Roll then brought Wilson back to perform their Grammy-nominated duet “Save Me.”
In addition to being the Grammys' most prestigious pre-game, the Clive Davis Gala also showcases the Salute to Industry Icons honor, presented annually to prominent music executives for lifetime achievement. This year's honoree was Jon Platt, chairman and CEO of Sony Music Publishing, the world's largest music publishing company.
Both Public Enemy and the Isley Brothers played sets to honor Platt before the headliner gave his speech on Saturday night. Public Enemy is closely intertwined with the beginning of Platt's career, as Chuck D was the one who personally told Platt to move to Los Angeles and pursue a job in the industry.
The hip-hop legends performed a three-song performance of “Can't Truss It,” “Bring the Noise” and their signature “Fight the Power.” “Everybody in the house says Jon Platt,” Chuck D and Flavor Flav taught the crowd as they finished the last song.
Flavor Flav and Chuck D perform at the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP
The Isley Brothers – now just Ronald and Ernie Isley – thanked Platt and jumped into “Shout”. “I'm here tonight because of songwriters. I've had the privilege and pleasure of working with some of the greatest songwriters in the world,” Platt told the crowd, citing Beyoncé, Jay Z, Pharrell, Dan Nigro and Justin Tranter.
After Platt's speech, Maluma — currently up for Best Latin Pop album Don Juan – took the stage to perform “Hawaii”.
Ending the night just before 1am was the empress of soul Gladys Knight. The legendary singer opened with 'The Way We Were' before bringing 'little sister' Dionne Warwick on stage to duet 'That's What Friends Are For', with Stevie Wonder coming on stage towards the end for a solo harmonica.
“I remember meeting Dionne when I was 12 years old in France. I have to say that this has been a wonderful blessing to meet all these people in my life, to meet Dionne and Gladys,” Wonder said. The three then closed with a cover of “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” with Wonder calling for peace and appearing to push for an end to the ongoing violence in the Middle East.
“I'm begging you, those of you who can see what we're doing on this planet, those of you who can see the anger in people's faces,” Wonder said. “For those of you who can hear the anger and confusion on social media, we as musicians need to heal it with love. We can ask to put an end to all the hurt, these two nations of the world, and start loving.”
from our partners at https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/green-day-gladys-knight-stevie-wonder-clive-davis-grammy-party-2024-1234960451/