Los Angeles played host to a remarkable musical evening as the renowned Clive Davis Pre-Grammys Gala unfolded at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. Marking the start of Grammy week festivities, the event initiated with a heartfelt tribute to the recently deceased heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne. Performers Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) and country musician Jelly Roll opened the night with performances of Osbourne’s "I Don't Wanna Stop" and "Mama, I’m Coming Home," respectively.
Following these renditions, the evening proceeded with an array of live performances including Alex Warren’s "Ordinary," sombr’s energetic "12 to 12," and Clipse paired with John Legend for a captivating rendition of "The Birds Don’t Sing." Notably, Olivia Dean, in contention for best new artist recognition at the coming Grammys, lent her voice to the heartfelt song "Man I Need." Highlighting a unique segment, the vocal trio HUNTR/X, representing the fictional group from "Kpop Demon Hunters," delivered a powerful performance of "Golden," blending the talents of singers Ejae (voice of Rumi), Audrey Nuna (Mira), and Rei Ami (Zoey).
Prior to these performances, legendary music executive Clive Davis, at the age of 93 and donning a sequined suit, took the stage to preside over the gala. The Recording Academy’s President and CEO, Harvey Mason Jr., revealed that the gala date of January 31 was officially proclaimed as "Clive Davis Day" by Beverly Hills in recognition of Davis’s impactful contributions to the music industry.
Davis greeted the audience warmly, mentioning prominent attendees such as Joni Mitchell, Nancy Pelosi, Berry Gordy, and Brandi Carlile. The evening’s proceedings included a dynamic mid-show tribute to Bernie Taupin, Elton John’s longtime lyricist, inciting the crowd to dance with performances like Darren Criss’s "Benny and the Jets," joined by Laufey for a duet of "Don’t Go Breaking My Heart." In a significant segment, Republic Records’ founders Monte and Avery Lipman received the Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award, emphasizing Universal Music Group's entrepreneurial influence in their speeches, which featured acclaim from Stevie Wonder.
The event, a highlight of the Grammy Awards week, drew a constellation of music industry figures and celebrities such as Diplo, Karol G, Pharrell Williams, Rita Wilson, Dave Grohl, Diane Warren, Sharon Osbourne, Yungblud, Colman Domingo, Teyana Taylor, Jeff Goldblum, Gladys Knight, Madison Beer, Cameron Crowe, Lana Del Rey, Shaboozey, Max Martin, Leon Thomas, Bebe Rexha, and Jack Antonoff. Journalist Don Lemon also received a notable acknowledgment following his recent release from federal custody connected to his coverage of protests.
A welcome video message from former President Barack Obama was screened early in the gala, with Obama highlighting Davis’s extraordinary ability to recognize talent and listing artists like Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, and Whitney Houston as beneficiaries of Davis's vision. This reinforced the gala’s role as a gathering of considerable musical talent under the stewardship of a prolific industry figure, encapsulated by Gayle King's remark calling Davis "the best friend a song ever had."
The night further showcased performances honoring artists such as the late Roberta Flack with Jennifer Hudson’s rendition of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" and a tribute to Art Garfunkel by duo Dan + Shay, who closed the stage with "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Prior to performing, Garfunkel shared insights into the song’s production, drawing parallels to Phil Spector’s technique and acknowledging Davis's early support for the approach.
Outside, a modest group of protesters expressed opposition to immigration enforcement activities linked to Hilton Worldwide properties, reflecting the broader socio-political discussions surrounding the venue. Inside, the focus remained on musical celebration and industry acknowledgments, reinforcing the gala’s status as a pre-eminent event leading up to the Grammy Awards held at Los Angeles’s Crypto.com Arena on February 1.