Fire relief, Quincy Jones tributes, new talent energize 50th pre-Grammy gala

Fire Relief, Quincy Jones Tributes, New Talent Energize 50th Pre Grammy Gala

Barry Manilow performs during the Pre-Grammy gala at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., Saturday. AFP-Yonhap

Barry Manilow performs in the course of the Pre-Grammy gala on the Beverly Hilton lodge in Beverly Hills, Calif., Saturday. AFP-Yonhap

Fifty years in the past, the music mogul Clive Davis threw a celebration to have fun the discharge of Arista Information’ first Grammy file 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 an everlasting 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 traditional. He was launched with a brief video depicting him doing the identical 5 a long time prior.

“Are you able to imagine I regarded like that,“ Manilow joked after attendees watched each variations. „Are you able to imagine Clive regarded like that?”

There was so much to have fun throughout 5 a long time, 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 lift 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 assist the reduction efforts. The night, notorious for operating 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 slightly completely different,” Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. stated in his opening remarks. “We knew we may use this platform” to honor first responders and have fun “the resilience of this group.”

Since launching LA wildfire reduction efforts, the academy has raised “nearly $5 million in support,“ 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 trade veterans used their time on stage to drive consideration to reduction efforts.

“Please deal with the individuals kicking ass on the entrance traces, the primary responders,“ the charismatic Submit Malone stated after a stripped-down association of his 2018 monitor “Sunflower,” the primary double-diamond licensed single at 20x platinum, which he described as his “solely good track.”

Units had been a mixture of legendary expertise, like Joni Mitchell shifting some to tears with “Each 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 had been tributes to the late, nice producer Quincy Jones.

Michael Bublé lined “Fly Me to the Moon,” Jennifer Hudson belted by Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Really feel Like) A Pure Girl” and gospel singer Yolanda Adams ended the night time with a powerfully heartfelt rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will All the time 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’ve a confession. There have been just a few instances early in my profession the place I crashed this occasion,” she stated, noting she obtained her first invitation within the early 2000s and being honored “deeply, deeply touched” her.

“Music can brighten our darkest days,” Gerson stated. “And we’d like artists to convey gentle now greater than ever.”

Michael Buble performs during the Pre-Grammy gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif., Saturday. AP-Yonhap

Michael Buble performs in the course of the Pre-Grammy gala on the Beverly Hilton Resort in Beverly Hills, Calif., Saturday. AP-Yonhap

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 embody Malone, Dangerous Bunny, Justin Bieber, Lana Del Rey, Ariana Grande, Coldplay, Drake, Billie Eilish, Elton John, Kendrick Lamar and, after all, Taylor Swift.

“She is a real trade icon who rightly deserves celebration,” stated Common Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge, who launched Gerson. “She has fully reworked Common Music Group publishing.”

Gaining admittance to Davis’ occasion is notoriously difficult. The A-listers who made the reduce 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 would not need a ticket to “Clive Davis‘ bar mitzvah,“ comic Jimmy Kimmel requested earlier than asserting the person of the hour.

“He is a dwelling legend,“ Kimmel stated.

Contemplating Davis‘ singular affect within the music trade by his work with Houston, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen, simply to call just a few, it was no surprise so many had 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 trade comes collectively to help one another and the group after a catastrophe. (AP)

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