With guests ranging from rapper Travis Scott to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, the 2019 Pre-Grammy Gala Saturday evening (Feb. 9) ardently underscored music’s universal appeal. Hosted by The Recording Academy and industry legend Clive Davis, the annual rite of passage on the eve of music’s biggest night boasted a wide array of luminaries such as Pelosi’s fellow esteemed tablemate Barbra Streisand, famed painter David Hockney and revered singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell.
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They weren’t the only celebs in the audience greeted by cheers and standing ovations following shout-outs by Davis. Packed inside the Beverly Hilton hotel’s ballroom (332 tables) was an eclectic mix of personalities that included Apple’s Tim Cook, hard rockers Alice Cooper and Metallica’s Kirk Hammett and Robert Trujillo, The Band’s Robbie Robertson (who sat with Mitchell), basketball icon Kareem Abdul Jabbar, 2019 Super Bowl MVP New England Patriot Julian Edelman, Seattle Seahawks’ Russell Wilson with wife Ciara, artists Beck, Miguel, Maren Morris, Ryan Tedder, Charlie Puth, Julia Michaels, Earth Wind & Fire, Lisa Loeb, Melissa Etheridge and Dionne Warwick, producers David Foster, Peter Asher, Benny Blanco and Jack Antonoff, Tony, Oscar and Grammy-winning composers Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, designer Calvin Klein, actresses Angela Bassett and Joan Collins manager/entrepreneur Scooter Braun and CNN’s Don Lemon wearing a statement-making black cape.
Though Pelosi drew the evening’s biggest and longest standing ovation, drawing nearly as many cheers and ovations was the evening’s lineup of performers. First-time Grammy nominee Scott led the charge with an energetic mini-set — including his hit “Sicko Mode” — that had everyone up and dancing including fellow artist Leon Bridges and Apple’s Zane Lowe, who was dancing with Grammy-nominated producer Mike Will Made-It. Just as powerful was Keala Settle’s performance of the Academy Award-nominated song “This is Me” from the film The Greatest Showman. H.E.R.’s riveting vocals and guitar-playing on “Make It Rain” left no doubt as to why she’s a first-time nominee with four Grammys, including best new artist. And Florida Georgia Line delivered a spirited take on their Grammy-nominated song “Meant to Be” with Bebe Rexha, who’s also up for best new artist.
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This year’s Pre-Grammy Gala signaled the awards show return to Los Angeles after celebrating its 60th anniversary in New York last year. “We’re glad to be back home,” noted Recording Academy president/CEO Neil Portnow, who is marking his last year at the organization’s helm. Davis acknowledged Portnow’s “stellar leadership,” asking guests to “all raise our glasses and thank Neil.”
More kudos ensued when industry pioneer Clarence Avant was lauded as the 2019 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons honoree. A surprise performance by group The Time — featuring Avant protégés Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis plus Morris Day and Jerome Benton — had guests including Hitco co-founder L.A. Reid and his whole table dancing up a storm to “Jungle Love” and “The Bird.” Prior to receiving his award, Avant had a steady stream of admirers, including Pharrell Williams, stop by his table, which Avant shared with his longtime friends Quincy Jones, A&M Records co-founder Jerry Moss, and legendary Mission Impossible composer Lalo Schifrin.
Following a video clip taken from an upcoming Netflix documentary on Avant’s storied career, Jones, who noted he and Avant have been friends since 1961, came to the stage to talk about the “silent architect” whose astute business and mentoring skills have had an impact on everyone from Presidents Clinton and Obama to industry executives Irving Azoff and Lucian Grainge. Avant then accepted the award from Portnow, who called him “the ultimate music man.”
Closing out the evening was a stirring tribute to Aretha Franklin. Jazmine Sullivan opened with a scorching version of the Queen of Soul’s “Call Me” before joining Rob Thomas in a rousing take of Franklin’s duet with George Michael on the No. 1 hit “I Knew You Were Waiting (for Me).” Ledisi powered her way through “Think,” “Ain’t No Way” and “Respect” before best new artist nominees Chloe x Halle kicked in with “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves” joined by Valerie Simpson, 2019 Grammy nominee Brandi Carlisle and Settle.
Additional reporting by Jason Lipshutz and Melinda Newman.