Clive Davis summons a galaxy of stars at his annual pre-Grammy gala

As the clock ticked past 12:30 a.m. Sunday, even the famously loquacious Clive Davis knew his annual pre-Grammy gala was running long.

“In New York, this is the time we would head to Studio 54,” the veteran record executive told a dwindling crowd at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, where for years Davis has brought together luminaries from the overlapping realms of the music world. spectacle, technology and politics for an invitation-only concert the night before the Grammy Awards.

But Davis, 91, wasn't quite ready to call it quits, especially since he knew at least some of what was coming. For the finale of this year's event, Davis brought to the stage the great Gladys Knight, who dove deep into the golden melancholy of “The Way We Were” before summoning two old friends, Dionne Warwick and Stevie Wonder, for a ecclesiastical interpretation. of that staple of the charity circuit, “That's what friends are for.”

And then that? These living legends of American pop performed a seemingly improvised version of “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” in which Wonder let the band warm up as he preached about the need for kindness in a broken world.

Tender but haunted, deep but slow: four hours into the show, the climax of the night left you feeling lucky to have stayed there.

Meryl Streep enjoys the 66th Grammy Awards Pre-Grammy Gala at the Beverly Hilton on February 3, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Ostensibly held to honor Sony Music Publishing chairman and CEO Jon Platt with the Recording Academy's Industry Icon award, Saturday's party attracted the usual galaxy of stars, including Meryl Streep, Cher, Mariah Carey, Smokey Robinson, Ted Danson, Frankie Valli and Lenny Kravitz. , Jon Bon Jovi, Paris Hilton, Adrien Brody, the members of Boygenius and former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi.

Tom Hanks, right, introduces Clive Davis during the 66th Grammy Awards Pre-Grammy Gala at the Beverly Hilton on February 3, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Some celebrities were pressured to introduce other celebrities, including Tom Hanks, who livened up Davis's welcoming remarks with a breathless rant of his own: “the chef in the kitchen of the food of love,” Hanks called. executive, and Serena Williams, who prepared the audience for the night's opening act, Green Day. The punk trio performed “American Idiot” and “Basket Case” to the delight of the well-heeled crowd: “Don't cheer, vote!” said frontman Billie Joe Armstrong, before handing the microphone to Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason for a few words about the organization's efforts to diversify its membership.

Honoree Jon Platt accepts the Industry Icon award during the 66th Grammy Awards Pre-Grammy Gala at the Beverly Hilton on February 3, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Platt also spoke when accepting his award, highlighting the musicians and musicians who helped him on his path and championing songwriters as the engine that moves the music industry forward.

Speeches aside, the real purpose of the evening, of course, was the talk and performances, the latter of which Davis never announces in advance to foster an atmosphere of suspense.

Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt were joined by country singer Lainey Wilson for a gender-swapped version of “I'm Just Ken,” from the movie “Barbie.” Ice Spice twerked up a storm while rapping “Deli.” Noah Kahan sang his folk-rock hits “Stick Season” and “Dial Drunk.” Victoria Monét performed “On My Mama,” her sly retro soul number, in a vaguely militaristic outfit that evoked Janet Jackson.

Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson perform during the 66th Grammy Awards Pre-Grammy Gala at the Beverly Hilton on February 3, 2024 in Beverly Hills, California.

(Gina Ferazzi/Los Angeles Times)

Jelly Roll, who seemed to find real enjoyment in the tactical hobnobbing of awards season, sang “Need a Favor” with the help of a gospel choir and then brought Wilson back to the stage for a powerful performance of her country hit. viral “Save Me”. Josh Groban paid tribute to the late Stephen Sondheim with a medley of tunes before joining War and Treaty's Michael Trotter Jr. to sing the fill to Paul Simon's “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”

Also on the bill: Public Enemy, clearly enjoying the absurdity of doing “Fight the Power” in a glittering Beverly Hills ballroom, and the Isley Brothers, still animated as they revved up the ever-reliable “Shout.”