BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. – Clive Davis can still be awe-inspiring.
Davis sat at a table inside his longtime bungalow at the Beverly Hills Hotel and worked out the final arrangements for the 51 people.cent We took a moment to reflect on his famous pre-Grammy gala over and over again and why his annual soiree is the most coveted ticket in town during Grammy week.
“It’s a very competitive business, so you have to pinch yourself. The heads of record companies from all over the world come every year, so instead of trying to compete[with the party]it’s moving to turn this night into sharing your love of music,” Davis, who will turn 94 in April, told USA TODAY as he pored over notes from the Jan. 31 event.
“I try to make it fresh and compelling and do justice to what we’re doing in music,” he says, before adding with a laugh, “I get paid a lot of money to worry about it, so I have to worry about it to make it happen.”
More than 24 hours later, Davis was sitting where she belonged, wearing a multicolored sequined jacket at a small table above the stage in the lively ballroom of the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
His introduction, usually performed by an actor or musician, was delivered via video this year by President Barack Obama.
President Obama said of Davis’ legacy, “Most people don’t realize how much the music they love was shaped by one man.” “The world sounds a little better.”
This is the first time a president has introduced Davis, and he told USA TODAY it was an honor he gladly accepted.
“It really warmed my heart,” Davis said of the man she met “many years ago” through Aretha Franklin and whom she “really respects so much.”
“It’s very special to receive a referral like that,” Davis said.
Davis presided over a legendary star-studded night that brought together a spectacularly disparate cast of stars, including Martha Stewart, Nancy Pelosi, Teyana Taylor, Coleman Domingo, Dave Grohl, Karol G, and Joni Mitchell.
Davis announced a bit of news while introducing Mitchell’s tablemate Cameron Crowe, telling the ballroom that Meryl Streep has officially been cast in the Mitchell biopic that Crowe is producing.
Even in a crowd? Journalist Don Lemon the day after he was released from prison on charges stemming from church protests in St. Paul, Minnesota.
The roar that greeted him was matched only by the enthusiastic greeting given to Martha Stewart, who stood up, waved, and smiled beautifully.
Davis’ parties always spotlight industry giants as well, and this year Republic Records co-founders Monte and Avery Lipman accepted flowers as the 2026 Grammy Award Winner for Industry Icons, which included a speech from Stevie Wonder.
But the point of Davis’ bash is, of course, the music, the kind that only a respected and ridiculously well-connected music mogul could organize.
From Jelly Roll’s homage to Ozzy Osbourne (his wife Sharon and children Kelly and Jack were in the room) to Art Garfunkel making a rare appearance with the Huntr/x ladies and dropping some K-pop into the room, the lineup provided plenty of one-of-a-kind moments.
Here are some of the performances from Alex Warren, The Clips, Sombre, Darren Criss and Laufey who paid tribute to Bernie Taupin.
Jelly Roll and MGK pay tribute to Ozzy Osbourne
A visibly moved MGK sought out Osbourne at a table at the front of the stage before performing “I Don’t Wanna Stop” and said, “It’s an honor to play for him.”
MGK slashed his signature razor blade guitar with solemn reverence throughout Osbourne’s No. 1 rock hit from his 2007 album Black Rain.
Jelly Roll, who continues to lose weight, begins his performance of “Mama I’m Coming Home” by patting his chest and pointing at Sharon Osbourne. The strong singer released the roughest tone while clenching his eyes, and belted out the rock ballad with great emotion.
Olivia Dean performs her breakthrough hit
Wearing a dark gold and black striped dress, Dean gave a sneak peak of the song that propelled her to the Best New Artist nomination list at the Grammy Awards on February 1st.
Dean was singing “Man I Need,” waving his arms freely and smiling, taking in every word.
“It’s an honor to be here,” she said, smiling at the crowd and walking over to Davis to give him a hug.
Hunter/x brings sparkle to any room
Even though “KPop Demon Hunters” broke Netflix records and captivated preteen girls, it was still a fun surprise when the Huntr/x trio (EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami) showed up in a silver and black combination outfit.
On “Golden,” their vocals meshed effortlessly as they sang along to the backing track and struck poses familiar to Huntr/x fans. Their participation shows that even though Davis’ credits include many veteran artists, his interest in younger trends remains undiminished.
