CLIVE'S BIRTHDAY PARTY: A REUNION IN NYC

It may have been studded with celebrities, but according to our correspondent, Clive Davis’ 90th birthday party, last night in NYC at Cipriani South Street, felt like a family reunion with a fireside chat and singalong.

Biz folks (and in particular Arista folks) who hadn’t seen each other since before the pandemic—and in some cases much longer—embraced and schmoozed; there were stories and impromptu performances; and Clive sat for a warm and very candid interview with Gayle King.

David Foster served as co-host/accompanist. The likes of Patti Smith, Dionne Warwick, Earth Wind & Fire, Alicia Keys (who led a soulful “Happy Birthday”), Art Garfunkel, Barry Manilow and many more shared their love of Clive. Mark Ronson played a megamix of classic Clive-backed hits, from Donovan to OutKast, combined with video from the archives. The result spurred significant buzz, a reminder of the breadth of the man's influence.

Also variously at the podium and/or in the audience were Rob Stringer (who said Clive "will be [Sony Music's] Chief Creative Officer to age 100 and beyond"), Jimmy Iovine, Larry Jackson, Tommy Mottola, Jimmy Jam, Harvey Mason Jr., Robert DeNiro, Lin Manuel-Miranda, Martha Stewart, Leon Huff, Desmond Child, Katie Couric and other incredibly famous people.

How Todd Hensley got in there we’ll never know.

Patti Smith kisses the ring.

Clive with legendary exec/industry mentor Clarence Avant and Netflix honcho Ted Sarandos

The Davis mishpuchah

Longtime Clive Club members: Hitco boss L.A. Reid, artist Busta Rhymes, Warner Co-Chair/COO Tom Corson, Sony Music EVP Business Affairs/General Counsel Julie Swidler

Ralph Johnson, Verdine White, Swizz Beatz and Philip Bailey bring Earth, Wind, Fire and other elements.

Promo great Lionel Ridenour gets trapped in a photo op with HITS loser Todd Hensley.

Todd wrangles Lana Palmese, promo giant Richard Palmese, iHeart's Alissa Pollack and biz veteran Andrew Berkowitz into a shot that he promises is "just for my Facegram."

photo credits: Elliot London, Gary Gershoff, Getty Images