EXCLUSIVE: Clive Davis came to the Hamptons yesterday and was treated like visiting royalty. Davis doesn’t often get out to the South Fork of Long Island. He spends his summers divided between Manhattan and a country house in Westchester County. So his appearance at the fabled East Hampton Library’s Author’s Night, to sign copes of his memoir “The Soundtrack of My Life,” merited a special dinner party. He got one courtesy of uber art dealer Larry Gagosian, who invited about 120 friends to his famed home, Toad Hall, a piece of stunning Charles Gwathmey architecture set on 26 acres in tony Further Lane.

How hot was this invite? Well no less than Jack Nicholson crashed the proceedings. The two time Oscar winner, who lives in Los Angeles, heard what was going on and just popped in. I asked what brought him to New York and he said, “Family stuff” without elaboration. He was charming and rascally, raising a glass of wine to Clive and chatting up old friends like Anjelica Huston, with whom he used to live, and Sir Paul McCartney.

Yes, McCartney arrived with wife Nancy Shevell and her son college student son, from their own home just around the corner. Paul told me his new album will come out before the end of the year. We talked about his son, James, who is on the road touring and playing his own songs. Paul is immensely proud of him. “I told him, you’ve got to get out there and do it. And he has. He’s finding his way.”

McCartney also talked, with a big grin, about his 9 year old daughter, Beatrice. And he got to meet the 20 year old grandson of legendary Beatles producer George Martin.

“You’re the grandson?” Sir Paul asked, astonished. McCartney was about 20 when he started working with George Martin. Time, you know, flies.

The other guests were pretty swell, too, including Jon Bon Jovi and wife Dorothea, Kim Garfunkel (wife of Art) with their 22 year old son James. Where is Artie, I asked? “He’s walking in Greece,” Kim replied. As one does.

Noted music lawyer Allen Grubman and his star realtor wife Debbie were present, as was Lorne Michaels, Owen Wilson, Jimmy Buffet and wife Janie, “60Minutes” anchor Steve Kroft and wife Jenny Conant; New Line films founder and movie producer Bob Shaye with artist wife Ava; Chevy Chase and wife Jayni; Peggy Siegal, of course, and writer Regina Weinreich; plus the world’s most famous concert promoter, Ron Delsener with wife Ellin; photographer Peter Beard; Andy Warhol cohorts Bob Colacello and Vincent Fremont; the dynamic duo of Ingrid Sischy and Sandy Brandt; Jann Wenner; and the ultra rich financiers Steve Schwarzman of Blackstone Group, and Leon Black of Apollo Global Management.

The two long tables of diners, perched in Gagosian’s aerie above the Gwathmey house, also included Clive’s attorney sons Fred Davis and Douglas Davis, grandsons, daughters-in-law, and old friends like movie producer Roger Birnbaum who traded stories with Clive from when Birnbaum worked for the music biz legend at Arista Records in the 1970s. Everyone dined on an elaborate buffet of rib eye steak, barbecued chicken, summer salads, and make -your own-sundaes.

Gagosian, a few people noted, was incredibly gracious, letting the guests roam around and see his usual art collection. It included a wonderful piece by Damien Hirst called “The Hat Makes the Man” plus a huge silver Jeff Koons standing Mickey Mouse, and a surprising fiberglass encased shark hung from the living room ceiling. There was also a Steinway baby grand piano adorned with blue butterflies, perfect for Elton John.

Many toasts and laughs later, Clive headed back to New York, McCartney was heard discussing brush strokes on a painting Gagosian showed him. Anjelica Huston, always a knock out, told me her about to be published memoir is just part 1. She’s working on a second volume now. (I’ve read the first part; it’s terrific.)

I did take the picture that goes with this story. It wasn’t easy since Jack was more skittish than the panthers I photographed on a safari. We were afraid to use the flash and scare him away. But when he was asked, he said, “For Clive, yeah.”

photo c2013 Showbiz411

Celebrity chasing in the Hamptons reached its summer zenith yesterday during and after the annual authors’ signing and dinners to raise money for the East Hampton Library. Gwyneth Paltrow, Alec Baldwin and Dr. Ruth Westheimer were among the “authors” gathered under a huge white tent behind Guild Hall signing their books for invited guests who paid dearly to meet them. Paltrow’s appearance caused near chaos as she was accompanied by rock star husband Chris Martin of Coldplay and their two kids, Apple and Moses.

Meanwhile, Baldwin circulated with heavily pregnant young wife Hilaria. Elsewhere in the tent there were other stars like ABC News’s Lynn Sherr. “Top Chef” host Padma Lakshmi had her books for sale, but declined to attend the event.

And then there were actual writers, like the great Robert Caro, who signed copies of his essential tome “The Power Broker” and his biographies of Lyndon Johnson. I ran into Susan Isaacs, as well. Famed artist Eric Fischl was selling his memoir.

David Browne sold out his copies of “Fire and Rain,” about rock music in 1970. Movie critic Jeffrey Lyons brought copies of his memoir about his father, the very famous columnist Leonard Lyons.

Some other notables included Nile Rodgers, A.M. Homes, Nelson DeMille and Kittys than ran from the sublime to the ridiculous: Kitty Pilgrim and Kitty Kelley.

But the curve ball star was Clive Davis, the record biz mogul, who sold out all his copies of “The Soundtrack of My Life.” Getting to Paltrow’s table proved difficult because Clive’s table, just in front of it, was an overwhelming hit. The book has just gone into its 7th printing and the paperback is coming in November. Davis’s stories about his successes in the business — from Janis Joplin to Barry Manilow to Whitney Houston and Santana–were all anyone was talking about in the huge tent.

The signing was followed by dinners all over East Hampton with the writer and authors as featured guests. (see next item)

Sad news: Eydie Gorme has passed away at age 84. She was of “Steve and Eydie” fame with husband Steve Lawrence, the great pop singer of the late 50s and early 60s. Steve and Eydie were staples of the early Tonight shows with Steven Allen and Jack Paar because they were great singers with lot of charisma, good looking, and lots of fun. They ran against the tide of rock and roll as it devoured the culture, staying steadfastly square in a tumultuous world. Their ascension also coincided with the election of John F. Kennedy, because as the John and Jackie were the shiny young couple in the White House, Steve and Eydie were like their showbiz counterparts.

Later in the 70s, acts like Paul and Linda McCartney would become known as “the Steve and Eydie of rock and roll.” It was said a little sneeringly by rock fans, but that tag really was affectionate. It signaled having a long marriage, two people who worked together and really loved each other. In the 80s, Steve and Eydie became hip again. They toured with Frank Sinatra, appeared with him on television, and helped him with his songs as the King of all Crooners had trouble with his memory.

The couple had lots of hits together and apart. Lawrence hit the charts with “Go Away Little Girl.” Eydie had hits in Spanish based on her Sephardic Jewish upbringing. She is probably most remembered for “Blame it on the Bossa Nova.” Eydie was a cousin of pop singer songwriter Neal Sedaka.

And they had popular records together. Their signature song was “This Could Be the Start of Something Big.” It’s still the greatest. RIP Eydie Gorme. She will be much missed.