Hollywood's A-list, musicians mix at pre-Grammy gala
LOS ANGELES - Chris Rock sat next to Caitlyn Jenner, Gwen Stefani curled up with Blake Shelton and Jamie Foxx was front row recording Earth, Wind & Fire jam onstage at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy gala.
The white-hot event, held Sunday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, also featured Hollywood's A-list, from Michael Keaton to Sylvester Stallone to Jane Fonda, as well as iconic musicians like Herbie Hancock, Carly Simon and Barry Manilow.
Members of Earth, Wind & Fire had the night's most memorable moment when they honored bandmate Maurice White, who died on Feb. 4.
"Right now we'd like to pay tribute to the visionary who we lost last week, the man with whom none of this would be possible, Mr. Maurice White," Philip Bailey said onstage.
The band went on to perform well-known hits like "September" and "Shining Star" that won over the star-studded audience. Simon, too, had similar energy with the crowd when she sang "You're So Vain."
Davis said he asked Simon to perform at his event because Manilow had oral surgery twice this week, and he wasn't sure if the singer would be able to perform.
"I'm glad to be here tonight. What a week," said Manilow, who made it to Davis' gala and sang two songs.
Beck, Dave Grohl, Pat Smear and Krist Novoselic kicked off the event in tribute to David Bowie with a performance of "The Man Who Sold the World."
"This is for two geniuses who are no longer with us," Beck said onstage.
Melissa Etheridge followed with "Take It to the Limit" in honor of Glenn Frey. Irving Azoff, who manages the Eagles and received the President's Merit Award, grew emotional onstage and cried when he told stories about Frey.
Other performers included Chicago as well as rising, Grammy-nominated acts such as Fetty Wap, Andra Day, Elle King and Tori Kelly. Attendees included Quincy Jones, Alice Cooper, Nancy Pelosi, Richard Branson, Berry Gordy, Christina Aguilera, John Legend, James Corden, Afrojack, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey and Snapchat CEO Evan Spiegel.
The Grammys will air live Monday from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It starts at 8 p.m. Eastern.