A cultural icon and a crown jewel of the music industry’s most important weekend, Clive Davis and the Recording Academy’s Pre-GRAMMY Gala is known for a guest list full of household names and stellar performances remembered. It's also a night when the most successful people in the music industry come together not as competitors, but in celebration. Or as Davis put it, "We come here to break bread."
Returning to the swank Beverly Hilton after a two year break, the fête was sponsored by Hilton, IBM, JBL and Mastercard. An eclectic mix of personalities — a hallmark of the Gala — graced the red carpet as onlookers gathered outside the hotel, hoping for a glimpse of industry excellence.
"It’s crazy," Måneskin bassist Victoria De Angelis tells GRAMMY.com; the Italian rock band was nominated for Best New Artist. "It has just been super fun. We’re meeting so many artists we love," De Angelis noted, pointing out fellow party guest, Metallica rocker Lars Ulrich.
Meanwhile Frankie Valli, who was nominated for Best New Artist in 1962 as part of his legendary vocal group the Four Seasons, had a similar sentiment. "It’s a lot of fun getting to see Clive and all of the people I’ve known over the years," Valli told GRAMMY.com, noting he’s known Davis for at least a half century. "It’s just a great evening out."
The performance portion of the night began with Maneksin taking the stage first, ripping out their singles "I Wanna Be Your Slave" and "Beggin’" — the latter the band’s star-making cover of the 1967 original by the Four Seasons.
"We’re old school guys," Alice Cooper tells GRAMMY.com. "We’re coming here to see what the new artists are doing."
Providing a link between the songs of yesteryear and today’s hottest talents, Davis then surprised the audience when Valli took the stage to perform his own, "Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You." It was a moment the audience relished, with the night’s guests, from Joni Mitchell to Janelle Monáe, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Sharon Stone and Machine Gun Kelly singing along to its earworm chorus of "I love you baby!"
Offset, Cardi B, Judy GreenWald, LyorCohen and Janelle Monae | Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy
Aside from the industry veterans (including performer Elvis Costello), those from the new class making their grand debuts on stage at this year’s Pre-GRAMMY Gala include Myles Frost, the TONY-winning star of MJ The Musical, as well the hip-hop star Latto. Nominated for Best New Artist and one of 2022’s breakout stars, she had attendees on their feet with her rousing hits "Sunshine" and "Big Energy." Lil Baby, meanwhile, participated in a salute to the 50th anniversary of hip-hop curated by Swiss Beatz, performing his songs "Forever" and, appropriately, "California Breeze."
Lauren Daigle, who recently signed to Atlantic Records, also delivered a memorable first performance at the party of her own with a cover of Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man."
Craig Kallman, Clive Davis, Julie Greenwald, and CEO of The Recording Academy Harvey Mason jr. | Lester Cohen/Getty Images for the Recording Academy
Currently celebrating its 75th anniversary, Daigle’s appearance and song choice was meant to bridge the gap between the Atlantic’s storied history with its newest artist, and coincides with this year’s Icon Award recipients: Atlantic Music Group Chairman and CEO Julie Greenwald and Atlantic Records Chairman and CEO Craig Kallman.
"The people who inspired me every day are my artists," said Greenwald during her acceptance speech. "I have loved every journey we have gone on together. Being able to play some small part in bringing your music, art and creative vision to the world has been the greatest gift and I’m so appreciative of every marketing plan I was allowed to dream up, every video treatment I pitched, photoshoot we collaborated on and all of the campaigns we launched."
It was a sentiment Atlantic star Cardi B reciprocated. "When I was in the middle of making my first album, I was very scared," she recalled during a heartfelt speech. "I was pregnant and afraid to tell anyone, in case I had to decide between my family or my career because I knew that happens to other artists on other labels. But with Craig and Julie, the exact opposite happened. You told me I could do both, and I will never, ever forget that. For real. Deadass."
Lizzo | Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for the Recording Academy
Meanwhile, Lizzo delivered her own tribute in song with a performance of her song "Break Up Twice" from her GRAMMY-nominated album Special. Another tribute came in the form of Sheryl Crow honoring the late Christine McVie with a heart-wrenching rendition of her signature "Songbird" as well as the Fleetwood Mac classic "Say You Love Me."
Paying homage to the late Whitney Houston also served as a theme for the night, where her family and collaborators remembered the star’s legacy. In tribute, Jennifer Hudson offered an anthemic rendition of the icon’s "The Greatest Love of All," armed with her powerhouse vocals and a passion for the artist herself.
"Honoring Whitney tonight makes me feel very, very blessed," Houston’s close collaborator, friend and songwriter Narada Micheal Walden tells GRAMMY.com. "God is in charge and her spirit is still with us, especially being in this very hotel she passed away years ago."
For Narada, the emotion is still fresh. "She gave so much, Not just as a great singer, her heartpower and love was so pure. The energy we wanted to put in the music, we really wanted it to live forever. We thought about it and prayed about it, and here we are still living it."
Jennifer Hudson | Lester Cohen/Getty Images for the Recording Academy
Houston’s legacy was also the theme of Kevin Costner’s opening speech; the two co-starring in The Bodyguard. "Maybe this isn't the room for it but I don't want to miss the moment and this is from the heart," Costner said as a hush fell over the room. "Neither one of us, in the end, could protect your beloved Whitney. But your fingerprints on her life are clean, my friend," he said, referring to Davis. "You were a miracle in her life."
It was not only Davis’ impact on Houston’s life, but the industry itself that was a topic of conversation all night. Getting ready to celebrate his 91st birthday, the legend was still a master of ceremonies with the night’s starry guestlist and performers showing their respect.
Lil Wayne | Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for the Recording Academy
"I’d like to thank Mr. Davis for having me," Lil Wayne humbly said as he delivered some of his biggest hits, from "A Milli" to "Lollipop."
"Clive Davis’s parties are just always off the chain," the artist Damon Elliott tells GRAMMY.com "He’s like a dad to me."
Paul Schaffer recalled his own memories with Clive to GRAMMY.com. "My very first time meeting him was in the '70s," he says. "I used to play on the Barry Manilow records and Barry was signed to Arista [Records]. I’ll never forget when Ron Dante, his producer, brought me in to play Clive a song." Now, Schaffer adds that he’s been attending the Pre-GRAMMY Gala for 11 years with his daughter, Victoria. "It’s very significant to be here. It’s the hottest party."
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