LOS ANGELES – Fifty years ago, music mogul Clive Davis hosted a party for Arista Records’ first Grammy nominee, Barry Manilow, and his hit song “Mandy.” Stars like Stevie Wonder, John Denver, and Elton John were there to celebrate. This small gathering grew into a well-known annual event: the pre-Grammy fundraising gala held the night before the Grammy Awards.
At the 2025 benefit gala, held again at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Manilow performed “Mandy,” reminiscing about the celebration from decades ago. “Can you believe I looked like that?” he joked, referencing an old video of himself.
This year’s event felt poignant, especially after the recent wildfires that devastated parts of Los Angeles, destroying thousands of homes and displacing many families. Throughout the evening, the focus shifted to raising awareness and funds for disaster relief. A QR code on tables helped guests donate to the Recording Academy and MusiCares, which are assisting those impacted by the fires.
“This one is a little different,” said Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. He emphasized honoring first responders and celebrating community resilience. Since starting their wildfire relief efforts, the academy has raised nearly $5 million.
Despite the fires affecting many events during Grammy week, this gala proceeded as planned. Performers used their stage time to highlight relief efforts. Post Malone, after singing his hit “Sunflower,” urged attendees to support the first responders: “Please take care of the people kicking ass on the front lines.”
Others on stage included music legends like Joni Mitchell, who moved some to tears with “Both Sides Now,” along with new artists like Samara Joy and the 2025 nominees Doechii, Shaboozey, Teddy Swims, and Benson Boone, who ended his set with a dramatic flip.
Tributes to the late producer Quincy Jones filled the night. Michael Bublé performed “Fly Me to the Moon” and Jennifer Hudson sang “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” The evening concluded with Yolanda Adams delivering a powerful rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”
Jody Gerson, chairwoman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, received the 2025 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award. She shared her journey, recalling how she crashed this iconic party early in her career before finally receiving an invitation. She expressed her gratitude and highlighted the importance of music during tough times, saying, “We need artists to bring light now more than ever.”
Gerson, a trailblazer in the industry, has worked with many stars, including Bad Bunny, Justin Bieber, and Taylor Swift. Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge praised her for transforming the company’s publishing division.
Access to Clive Davis’ event is always a challenge. This year’s guest list included big names like Jennifer Lopez, Alicia Keys, and Nancy Pelosi. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel humorously referred to the gathering as “Clive Davis’ bar mitzvah” while introducing the legendary host.
“He’s a living legend,” Kimmel remarked. As a key figure in music, Davis has had an immense impact on the industry, working with icons like Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen. This year’s gala wasn’t just a celebration of music but a meaningful reminder of how the industry can unite to support those in need after a crisis.
Check out this related article: FanCode Soars to Global Fame: Ranked 9th in Sports Entertainment App Downloads!
Source linkJody Gerson,Taylor Swift,Billy Joel,Lana Del Rey,Paris Hilton,U.S. news,Shaboozey,Michael Bublé,Lucian Grainge,Whitney Houston,Jennifer Hudson,Kendrick Lamar,Teddy Swims,Bad Bunny,Bruce Springsteen,Quincy Jones,John Stamos,Clive Davis,Stevie Wonder,Yolanda Adams,Benson Boone,Justin Bieber,Post Malone,Elton John,Ariana Grande,Barry Manilow,Entertainment,Jennifer Lopez,Jimmy Kimmel,Gayle King,Billie Eilish,Aretha Franklin,Babyface,Drake,Joni Mitchell,Harvey Mason Jr.,Doechii
