Friday, March 29, 2024

Robin Thicke, Miley Cyrus, Lorde, Pharrell Rock Clive Davis’s Annual Pre Grammy Dinner

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There’s no amount of hyperbole that would be enough to describe Clive Davis’s annual pre Grammy dinner party last night at the Beverly Hilton. Lionel Richie and John Fogerty represented legacy artists. But the stage was  like a jukebox of modern hit artists including Robin Thicke, Lorde, Miley Cyrus, Pharrell, Imagine Dragons, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, as well as Jennifer Hudson, the Foo Fighters, R. Kelly and Fantasia. The three hour show following dinner may have been the most amazing in Clive’s history.

But first, the guests: In one area alone there was Stevie Wonder, Rod Stewart, Joni Mitchell, and Smokey Robinson, Neil Diamond, Neil Sedaka, not to mention Jane Fonda, record producer Richard Perry, Dave Koz, Kenny G, and Jimmy Jam Lewis.

At another table Olivia Harrison, George’s widow, sat with Miley Cyrus and her mother. Taylor Swift had a table not far from Alicia Keys and Swizz Beatz. Just past them came Jennifer Hudson. Behind her another grouping included Metallica. There were Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne with daughter Kelly. John Fogerty had a table for his own family. There was a stretch of Hollywood non music types including Jackie and Joan Collins. Quincy Jones had his spot.

Through the evening we met the guys from A Great Big World. Cyndi Lauper was a guest as was Valerie Simpson. Larry King and Joan Rivers were spotted. So was Herbie Hancock. Gladys Knight was on the guest list but may have been a no-show. But both Randy Jackson and Ryan Seacrest were in attendance. So was Nile Rodgers. And famed classical pianist Lang Lang. And Neil Sedaka, with wife Leba. And astronaut Buzz Aldrin, as well as Nikki Haskell and Denise Rich.

On the movie side, Jared Leto, who’s also a rock star, was front and center.

Universal Music chief Lucian Grange was honored as an industry icon. Someone produced a very funny video of Grange being turned down by all his artists to appear in a tribute video for him. Sting, Elton John, U2, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, and Rod Stewart were featured.

It was a harmonious night save for one altercation early in the dinner. Jonah Hill’s rock manager brother Jordan Feldstein got into a fight with Sharon Osbourne. Apparently he said some obnoxious things to Sharon about her son Jack. A drink of water was thrown. Feldstein was drenched, and fled the scene. This all happened at Taylor Swift’s table by the stage. But waiters cleaned everything up. N one saw Feldstein again. He seems to be Jonah Hill’s Billy Carter or Roger Clinton.

The evening ended with a 1994 video performance by the late Whitney Houston singing a medley of hits. It was extraordinary because this was before Whitney became ill. Her voice and delivery were unique, and she was luminous. It was a classy way to end the evening.

Keep refreshing for more details of the night….Biggest standing ovation: Clive’s introduction of Joni Mitchell. Most sensational performances: Jennifer Hudson and John Fogerty on “Proud Mary,” Pharrell singing How Does it Feel, then Blurred Lines with Robin Thicke dancing through the audience. Fantasia’s “Stormy Weather” was other-worldly good. Miley Cyrus singing Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” straight up with no artifice. Macklemore’s unique energy. And music director Rickey Minor steering the ship. Clive’s lawyer son Douglas, who also manages Metta World Peace, produced the whole show and earned high praise from everyone.

Miley Cyrus photo c2014 Showbiz411

 

 

Roger Friedman
Roger Friedmanhttps://www.showbiz411.com
Roger Friedman began his Showbiz411 column in April 2009 after 10 years with Fox News, where he created the Fox411 column. His movie reviews are carried by Rotten Tomatoes, and he is a member of both the movie and TV branches of the Critics Choice Awards. His articles have appeared in dozens of publications over the years including New York Magazine, where he wrote the Intelligencer column in the mid 90s and covered the OJ Simpson trial, and Fox News (when it wasn't so crazy) where he covered Michael Jackson. He is also the writer and co-producer of "Only the Strong Survive," a selection of the Cannes, Sundance, and Telluride Film festivals, directed by DA Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus.
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