LOS ANGELES (AP) - The music world mourned the loss of iconic heavy metal artist Ozzy Osbourne, who passed away last summer. To honor his legacy, the renowned Clive Davis pre-Grammys gala commenced with a tribute performance on Saturday night at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California. The evening's festivities kicked off with MGK (formerly known as Machine Gun Kelly) performing Osbourne's hits "I Don’t Wanna Stop," followed by country star Jelly Roll's rendition of "Mama, I’m Coming Home."
MGK opened the tribute by stating, "Rest in peace, Ozzy. Bring it home, Jelly." Following this heartfelt tribute, Alex Warren took the stage with his hit "Ordinary," while sombr performed "12 to 12." Clipse and John Legend's soulful track "The Birds Don’t Sing" resonated well with the audience, and Olivia Dean, a top contender for Best New Artist at the 2026 Grammys, captivated attendees with her performance of "Man I Need."
One of the highlight performances of the night came from the trio HUNTR/X, who delivered a powerful rendition of "Golden" from the fictional girl group "Kpop Demon Hunters," featuring singers Ejae (voice of Rumi), Audrey Nuna (Mira), and Rei Ami (Zoey).
Before the arrival of the 93-year-old music executive Clive Davis, who hosted the gala dressed in a sequined suit, Recording Academy President and CEO Harvey Mason Jr. proclaimed January 31 as "Clive Davis Day" in Beverly Hills. Davis assured his audience, "I think you’re gonna have an incredible time this evening," and expressed his excitement for the notable guests present, including Joni Mitchell, Nancy Pelosi, Berry Gordy, and Brandi Carlile.
The night included a midshow tribute to Bernie Taupin, Elton John's key collaborator, where Darren Criss performed "Benny and the Jets," alongside Laufey for a duet of "Don’t Go Breaking My Heart." Additionally, Republic Records founders, CEO Monte Lipman and COO Avery Lipman, were honored with the 2026 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons Award. Their acceptance speeches highlighted the innovative spirit of Universal Music Group, garnering praise even from Stevie Wonder.
Unlike the previous year's gala, which focused on relief efforts in response to the devastating Los Angeles-area wildfires, this year’s event maintained a celebratory atmosphere. Outside the venue, a small group of protesters voiced their anti-immigration enforcement stance, while the inside buzzed with music. Jennifer Hudson honored the late Roberta Flack with her poignant performance of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face," and Dan + Shay paid tribute to Art Garfunkel, who later performed "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Garfunkel noted that his performance style was inspired by Phil Spector’s production on "Ol' Man River," a concept Davis supported early on.
Admittance to Davis’s gala is known to be highly selective, with a star-studded guest list this year including Diplo, Karol G, Pharrell Williams, Rita Wilson, Dave Grohl, Diane Warren, and many others. Don Lemon also received recognition from Davis after being released from custody following his arrest connected to an anti-immigration protest in Minnesota. His appearance earned him a standing ovation from the crowd.
The evening's significance was further amplified by a video message from former President Barack Obama, who remarked on Davis’s unique ability to recognize talent, mentioning artists like Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, and Whitney Houston, all of whom Davis helped to launch. The ongoing recognition of talent and artistry made Davis's gala a highly anticipated event during Grammy week, exemplifying why he is regarded as "the best friend a song ever had."
The 68th Grammy Awards are scheduled for February 1 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, set to be broadcast on CBS and streamed on Paramount+. For more information on this year's Grammys, visit: www.apnews.com/hub/grammy-awards.
