Stars Line Up For Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Party

Clive Davis

The one and only CLIVE DAVIS, CEO of RCA MUSIC GROUP, was introduced by RECORDING ACADEMY Pres. NEIL PORTNOW at THE BEVERLY HILTON in an pre-GRAMMY party as "one of our most revered and iconic music men" and a "national treasure." The event featured stars from across the cultural spectrum: WHITNEY HOUSTON, QUINCY JONES, DITA VON TEESE, LARRY KING, LINDSAY LOHAN, JACKIE COLLINS, SUPER BOWL champ MICHAEL STRAHAN, RIHANNA, YUNG JOC and EDWIN E. "BUZZ" ALDRIN JR., among them.

Then there were the performances.

"AMERICAN IDOL" finalist CHRIS DAUGHTRY ran through a short set with VELVET REVOLVER guitarist SLASH and NICKELBACK lead singer CHAD KROEGER, which included a cover of CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL's "Born On The Bayou." "I was here last year, and I had to sit in the audience," DAUGHTRY said, ". . . watching everyone else perform."

"Everyone else" this year included FOO FIGHTERS, who dedicated the song "Best Of You" to DAVIS, as well as DAVIS' breaking artist, LEONA LEWIS who will release her debut album on his J RECORDS in APRIL. Her single, "Bleeding Love," has already launched to huge radio acceptance and strong airplay.

Another of DAVIS' musical discoveries, ALICIA KEYS, took the stage for a rousing three-song set, bringing the formally attired crowd to its feet with her hit single, "No One."

It was past midnight when AKON and WYCLEF JEAN met on the BEVERLY HILTON's proscenium to run through a medley of their respective hits, including JEAN's "If I Was President" (during which the rapper-singer-producer craftily inserted the lyric: "CLIVE DAVIS for President!"). With the music winding down, JEAN said to AKON, "I'm not gonna end until we flip."

Once both multi-platinum-selling hip-hop luminaries had executed rickety back flips onstage, the show was over.

A great night for great music from a great man, CLIVE DAVIS.

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