Ahead of the 51st Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala, music legend Clive Davis sat down with Billboard to discuss his iconic annual pre-Grammy party. With 51 years of success under his belt, Davis has become a staple in the music industry and his pre-Grammy party has become one of the most highly anticipated events of the year. In this exclusive interview, Davis gives Billboard its flowers, reveals why Bruno Mars has never attended, and shares emotional updates on Barry Manilow’s health and new music at 82. Plus, he reflects on the late Whitney Houston’s Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
As the founder and chief creative officer of Arista Records, Davis has been responsible for launching the careers of some of the biggest names in music, including Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, and Carlos Santana. His pre-Grammy party has become a tradition in the music industry, bringing together the biggest names in the business for a night of celebration and recognition.
When asked about the 51st annual pre-Grammy party, Davis expressed his gratitude to Billboard for recognizing the significance of the event. “I am truly honored to have reached this milestone with my pre-Grammy party. It has been an incredible journey and I am grateful to Billboard for acknowledging its importance in the music industry,” he said.
One of the most intriguing aspects of the pre-Grammy party is the absence of Bruno Mars. Despite being one of the biggest names in music, Mars has never attended the event. Davis revealed that this is due to a scheduling conflict. “Bruno is always invited to the party, but unfortunately, he has never been able to attend due to his busy schedule. But I have no doubt that he will make an appearance in the future,” Davis shared.
The interview also touched upon the health of music legend Barry Manilow, who has been a close friend and collaborator of Davis for many years. At 82 years old, Manilow has faced some health challenges, but Davis assured Billboard that he is doing well and is still making music. “Barry is a fighter and he is doing great. He is still making music and I am excited for his fans to hear what he has been working on,” Davis said with a smile.
In addition to Manilow’s new music, Davis also shared updates on the late Whitney Houston’s Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Houston, who was signed to Arista Records by Davis, will be honored posthumously at the 2020 Grammy Awards. “Whitney was an incredible talent and I am honored to have worked with her. She will always be remembered as one of the greatest voices in music and I am grateful that the Recording Academy is recognizing her with this prestigious award,” Davis said with emotion.
As the interview came to a close, Davis reflected on his 51 years in the music industry and the impact he has had on countless artists and their careers. “I am blessed to have been a part of this industry for so long and to have worked with such talented artists. I am grateful for the support of Billboard and I look forward to many more years of celebrating music at the pre-Grammy party,” he said.
The 51st Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Gala is set to take place on January 25th, 2020, and it is sure to be a star-studded event filled with unforgettable performances and memorable moments. As Davis continues to pave the way for the music industry, his pre-Grammy party will undoubtedly remain a highlight of the awards season. We can’t wait to see what he has in store for the 51st edition of this iconic event.
