It’s official.
Clive’s annual pre-Grammy bash is on, and we’re
still not invited.
The Recording Academy has formally announced that it will sponsor what is now billed as the Pre-Grammy Gala on Saturday, Feb. 7, the night before the show. Clive’s party now becomes an official Grammy Week event, and the Academy says it “will continue and expand upon this time-honored tradition.”
According to the release issued this morning by the Academy, Davis has been throwing the party for nearly 30 years, though our own Bud Scoppa, who was Clive’s West Coast A&R guy from 1978 to ’83, has no recollection of his then-boss throwing a party during those years (but then, Scoppa has no recollection of those years whatsoever, so we hope someone else will come forward and confirm this assertion).
The star-studded, invitation-only event will once again will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. As part of the evening’s festivities, the Academy will present Davis with the President's Merit Award at the 2009 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons “in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry and the impact his efforts have had on music and the business of music.” He’ll be in exclusive company; past recipients include Ahmet Ertegun, Mo Ostin, Herb Alpert & Jerry Moss and Berry Gordy.
Said Neil Portnow: "Clive Davis is a true creative genius and visionary, and the Recording Academy is proud to partner with him for the first time to present the Pre-Grammy Gala—an event that he founded and developed into one of Grammy Week's most sought-after and hot tickets. In addition, his illustrious career has paved the way for numerous artists and music industry players for more than 40 years, and we are delighted to pay tribute to such a prolific entertainment industry icon. His influence in both the artistic and business aspects of music is legendary, and his sharp ear and fine-tuned intuition are unparalleled. And no, he didn’t write this for me."
