LOS ANGELES (AP) — Fifty years in the past, the music mogul Clive Davis threw a celebration to have a good time the discharge of Arista Data’ first Grammy document of the yr nominee: Barry Manilow’s “Mandy.” Stevie Marvel confirmed up. So did John Denver and Elton John.
What was a one-off celebration for a permanent hit morphed into one of many best-known and most unique events of the yr: the annual pre-Grammy fundraising occasion hosted by Davis, held yearly on the Saturday earlier than the Sunday award present.
On the 2025 profit gala, as soon as once more held on the Beverly Hilton lodge in Beverly Hills, California, Manilow carried out his 1975 basic. He was launched with a brief video depicting him doing the identical 5 many years prior.
“Can you believe I looked like that,” Manilow joked after attendees watched each variations. “Can you believe Clive looked like that?”
There was loads to have a good time throughout 5 many years, however within the direct aftermath of the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires that destroyed greater than 14,000 constructions and displaced tens of hundreds of individuals, efforts to boost consciousness and donations punctuated the night time.
A QR code was positioned at each desk and flashed on screens to encourage contributions to the Recording Academy and its affiliated MusiCares charity to help the aid efforts. The night, notorious for working into the wee hours of the morning, concluded at a decent 11:30 p.m. to keep away from distracting from the trigger.
“This one is a little different,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. mentioned in his opening remarks. “We knew we could use this platform” to honor first responders and have a good time “the resilience of this community.”
Since launching LA wildfire aid efforts, the academy has raised “almost $5 million in aid,” he introduced.
The tonal shift got here as no shock. The annual occasion was one of many few 2025 Grammy week occasions not canceled because of the fires.
Many performers and business veterans used their time on stage to drive consideration to aid efforts.
“Please take care of the people kicking ass on the front lines, the first responders,” the charismatic Submit Malone mentioned after a stripped-down association of his 2018 observe “Sunflower,” the primary double-diamond licensed single at 20x platinum, which he described as his “only good song.”
Units have been a mixture of legendary expertise, like Joni Mitchell shifting some to tears with “Both Sides Now,” and newer voices together with Samara Pleasure and the 2025 greatest new artist nominees Doechii, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims and Benson Boone, the latter of which ended his efficiency with an athletic flip.
Sprinkled all through the performances have been tributes to the late, nice producer Quincy Jones.
Michael Bublé lined “Fly Me to the Moon,” Jennifer Hudson belted by way of Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” and gospel singer Yolanda Adams ended the night time with a powerfully heartfelt rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”
Jody Gerson, chairman and CEO of Common Music Publishing Group, was honored with the 2025 Grammy Salute to Trade Icons Award on the star-studded occasion.
“I have a confession. There were a few times early in my career where I crashed this party,” she mentioned, noting she obtained her first invitation within the early 2000s and being honored “deeply, deeply touched” her.
“Music can brighten our darkest days,” Gerson mentioned. “And we need artists to bring light now more than ever.”
Gerson has damaged the glass ceiling all through her profession. She is the primary chairwoman of a world music firm and the primary girl named CEO of a significant music writer. The lengthy record of superstars she has labored with embrace Malone, Unhealthy Bunny, Justin Bieber, Lana Del Rey, Ariana Grande, Coldplay, Drake, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Kendrick Lamar and, in fact, Taylor Swift.
“She is a true industry icon who rightly deserves celebration,” mentioned Common Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge, who launched Gerson. “She has completely transformed Universal Music Group publishing.”
Gaining admittance to Davis’ occasion is notoriously difficult. The A-listers who made the lower this yr included Jennifer Lopez, Babyface, Gayle King, Nancy Pelosi, Jack Antonoff, TEMS, Willow Smith, Berry Gordy, Paris Hilton, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Diane Warren, Gracie Abrams, John Stamos and Justin Tranter.
Who wouldn’t need a ticket to “Clive Davis’ bar mitzvah,” comic Jimmy Kimmel requested earlier than asserting the person of the hour.
“He’s a living legend,” Kimmel mentioned.
Contemplating Davis’ singular affect within the music business by way of his work with Houston, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen, simply to call a couple of, it was no surprise so many have been excited to attend. However this yr, the gala was much less of a celebration and extra of a mirrored image of what can occur when the music business comes collectively to assist one another and the group after a catastrophe.
