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New York — The annual Clive Davis pre-Grammy gala will continue in 2027 following the industry titan’s death earlier this year, the Recording Academy has announced.
The music industry lost one of its most powerful figures in June, when Davis – the titan who launched or resurrected the careers of superstars such as Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana and Alicia Keys – died in his Manhattan apartment, weeks after being hospitalized for an upper respiratory issue. He was 94.
Davis is always at the forefront of the music industry, but especially during the Grammy Awards, where his annual pre-Grammy gala, held the Saturday night before the Sunday awards show every year since 1975, has been widely regarded as one of the week’s most special and popular events. There, giants across genders and generations come together for unique performances and celebrations.
According to the Recording Academy, the first Clive Davis gala since his death will take place on February 6 next year, the night before the 2027 Grammy Awards.
Additional information about the gala is forthcoming.
“Clive built this gala into something that the entire music community looked forward to for five decades. He never did it for praise or recognition. He did it because he loved this community, believed in the power of music, and understood what it meant to bring us together to celebrate,” said Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason jr. written in a statement.
“I was lucky enough to call Clive as a friend and mentor, and working with him taught me so much,” said Mason. “That’s the exact spirit he brought to the Pre-Grammy Gala and I know he would have wanted nothing more than to host the show this year. We are honored to celebrate the legacy he left behind.”
Performers at the 2026 gala included Clipse and John Legend, Jennifer Hudson, Dan + Shay, the HUNTR/X trio performing “Golden” from “Kpop Demon Hunters” and others.
“Clive’s talent has always been seeing and hearing what other people don’t,” said former President Barack Obama in a video message played at the event, where attendees included Joni Mitchell, Nancy Pelosi, Berry Gordy, Jeff Goldblum, Gladys Knight, Cameron Crowe, Lana Del Rey, Brandi Carlile and many others.
