
Whitney Houston, Cher Highlight Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala

With music industry titans like
Clive Davis hosting and
David Geffen receiving the Industry Icon Award, Davis' annual pre-Grammy gala surely had a lot of star presence from across the generations in music and when Popeater first walked into ballroom at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and saw two legends--
Neil Young chatting with
Quincy Jones--we were so not disappointed.
And the rest of the room wasn't too bad either as stars in attendance ranged from
Miley Cyrus,
Katy Perry and
John Mayer to
Jackson Browne,
Young and
David Crosby, all three of whom were seated at Geffen's table. Also in the house, the
Foo Fighters,
Lou Reed and wife Laurie Anderson,
Ciara,
Usher,
Lenny Kravitz and so on and on and on.
To entertain a room like that takes some serious star power. So, we can't really blame
Mumford And Sons, who got the honor of kicking off the concert portion of the opening, for frontman Marcus Mumford's intro as they took the stage. "It's scary as s--t," he said. Yeah, but they delivered, especially an impassioned version of 'Little Lion Man.'
They were followed by Davis' pick for best new artist,
Janelle Monáe, who rocked the house and paid her own homage to music history by busting out some James Brown-esque dance moves as someone placed a cape on her. Brown would've been proud.
The firepower really upped though as the tribute to Geffen saw
Cher, who spoke personally of her longtime friend, recalling how they first met at a party and had dinner the next night, and calling him, "Always the smartest man in the room," among other things. To honor Geffen in song,
Mary J. Blige, a veteran of Davis' parties, serenaded him with 'Free Man In Paris,' a Joni Mitchell song written for Geffen.
After the Geffen tribute, the night turned back more towards the usual Davis fare, with a surprise performance by
R. Kelly, who opened with the National Anthem, getting
Brandy, members of Mumford And Sons,
Miley Cyrus,
Taboo of the
Black Eyed Peas, and many others dancing in the aisles. They stayed on their feet for
Cee-Lo's stomping rendition of 'F--k You.'
Jennifer Hudson also got a standing ovation for her 'You Make Feel LIke A Natural Woman' cover, and another great was honored as
Whitney Houston closed the night with a tribute to her cousin,
Dionne Warwick, who, as Houston said, "Is a diva's diva," adding, "She put the c in class."
Houston did a medley of 'Walk On By' and 'Say A Little Prayer,' then wrapped the night with Warwick joining her on stage for 'That's What Friends Are For.'
Add a comment
Why would anyone pay to hear Whitney's drug busted voice!!
Reply
the music bizz these days is a joke! wheres the rock bands? tired of ghetto monkeys hopping up and down on the stage/zoo! and tired of wiggers, whites who act and sing black. every vocal note is overdone! yes you can sing, sing like the white person you are. don't sing black! it sounds stupid! the grammies should be called, the ghetto monkey awards!
Reply
Why are you watching it, are you just that stupid. They should put you on and call it the jealous idiot awards.
FRED. THAT'S JUST PLAIN MEAN. WHAT'S THE MATTER, DIDN'T GET YOUR FIX TODAY.
Reply
Fred you are my hero and I do mean that.
Reply
Fred hit it right on the head!
Reply
I have to agree w/ him Although I wouldn't say it that harsh!but it IS true! but I have hope that with the Glee& a few of the new artists that CAN sing and are not afraid to show us(for little respect from the Music BIZ folks)I hope they change it! cause there are a LOT of good singers getting overlooks cause they aren't swear'n getto-trash like Emenem!
Reply