HOW TO CRAFT A PERFECT EVENING

In the grand spirit of the dinners hosted by Ahmet Ertegun at Coco Pazzo in NYC ahead of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame gala, the John Sykes-led Hall on 11/3 hosted inductees, past honorees, execs and other glitterati at Craft in Century City. With absolutely no photographers, step-and-repeat banners or other such trappings, the gathering was a low-key opportunity for mingling among artists and biz folk.

Attendees, we're told, included Lionel Richie, Alice Cooper, Pat Benatar, Neil Giraldo, Dave Grohl, John Mellencamp, Sharon and Ozzy Osbourne, Beck, Eurythmics' Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart, Duran Duran's Simon LeBon and John Taylor, Tom Morello, Jackson Browne, John McEnroe, Patti Smyth, Zac Brown, Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, Clarence Avant, Allen Grubman, Max Lousada, Tom Corson, Jon Platt, Michele Anthony, Jody Gerson, Rick Krim, Rob Light, Tom Consolo, Randy Hoffman, Bryant Gumbel and Craig Fruin.

Among the highlights, according to one attendee: Alice Cooper in deep conversation with Jam & Lewis, Beck, Grohl and Ozzy chatting and a gabfest among Lennox, Richie and LeBon.

Oh, to have been a fly on the wall. As you know, the big RRHOF party took place on Saturday night (11/5).