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Name: BarryNet Message Board Date/Time: 2/2/2025 6:19 PM Subject: From Post Malone to Barry Manilow, inside the 50th anniversary of Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Gala
USA Today, 02 February 2025 On the eve of his annual Pre-Grammy Gala, Clive Davis is still working. Sitting at a table inside his bungalow at The Beverly Hills Hotel, his faithful Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Charlie snoring near his feet, Davis pores over his opening remarks for his Saturday soiree, blue inking through some comments, spotlighting others. It’s especially important this year that the tone is calibrated to still celebrate music and several of the artists nominated for Grammy Awards on Sunday, but also remain sensitive to the devastation wrought by the recent area wildfires. Davis says there was “no question” about still holding the annual party on its 50th year once the Recording Academy determined the Grammys would proceed as scheduled. “We felt we wanted to give back and we wanted (the gala) to be a fundraiser," Davis, who donated "a substantial six-figure amount” to MusiCares, said. “Music is a wonderful vehicle to fundraise, so it was all positive, really." A little more than 24 hours later, Chris and Rich Robinson of The Black Crowes, along with Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith, Metallica bassist Rob Trujillo and producer Andrew Watt, are on stage at The Beverly Hilton, ripping out ferocious versions of Led Zeppelin's "Good Times Bad Times" and "Whole Lotta Love" as the opening performance of Davis' event ... Onstage during the three-hour-plus show, [an] array of disparate artists performed, from Michael Bublé and Barry Manilow to Teddy Swims and Doechii ... The second piece of the Pre-Grammy Gala is a Salute to Industry Icons, and this year, Universal Music Publishing Group CEO Jody Gerson, responsible for signing [Alicia] Keys, Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande, among numerous others, received hosannas from Davis. [Highlights] from Saturday’s show ... Barry Manilow: Davis reminded the audience that the first record released on his Arista Records in 1974 was "Mandy," the ballad forever associated with Manilow, who was also the inspiration for the first Pre-Grammy Gala in 1975. Davis introduced "my dear friend, who started all of this," as the video screens showed a clip from "The Midnight Special," with a youthful Davis introducing a shaggy-haired Manilow playing "Mandy." As he's been doing in concert for years, Manilow emerged from the shadows for the second verse of the song, a nostalgic juxtaposition of his younger and older selves singing the same song. "I started with Clive in 1873," Manilow joked after singing. "We've had an incredible run. The truth is, Clive was always watching over me. I don’t know how I got so lucky." 
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