Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli duel at Clive Davis' pre-Grammy party.
Rihanna and Island Records topper Steve Bartels.
Clive Davis is flanked by Alicia Keys and Whitney Houston.
Jermaine Dupri, Fergie, will.i.am and Janet Jackson during the bash at the BevHilton on Saturday.
American Idols Jordin Sparks and Carrie Underwood flank producer Simon Fuller.
Foo Fighter Dave Grohl and Taylor Swift.
Leona Lewis sings.
Actress Tracey Ullman and crooner Rod Stewart.
Musician Lang Lang and BMG topper Charles Goldstuck.
Slash rocks the party.
always takes the audience on a stroll down memory lane at his annual pre-Grammy party, but Saturday night was highlighted by Davis' own past, present and future in the form of female singing stars.
A beaming
Whitney Houston was on hand at the BevHilton ballroom (Davis said she's in the studio recording these days), while
Alicia Keys provided the sharpest musical performance of the night with "Superwoman" and "No One." Brit "Pop Idol" champ
Leona Lewis also took the stage making her U.S. debut. All three record for labels under Davis' watch at BMG.
Davis appropriated the Grammy concept of pairings and produced one that stole a bit of Grammy thunder: a duet between
Josh Groban and
Andrea Bocelli. The two delivered a controlled and affecting version of "The Prayer." Foo Fighters opened the evening with a two-song performance;
Fantasia sang the living daylights out of "I'm Here," from "The Color Purple," and
Akon and
Wyclef Jean closed the evening.Among the music execs on hand were Recording Academy prexy-CEO
Neil Portnow,
Berry Gordy,
L.A. Reid,
Jason Flom,
Kevin Liles,
Roger Ames,
Seymour Stein,
Sylvia Rhone and
Clarence Avant; from film and TV, there was
Roger Birnbaum,
Ben Silverman and
Leslie Moonves.
Legends in the room included Led Zeppelin's
John Paul Jones, Philly soul producers
Kenny Gamble and
Leon Huff,
Rod Stewart,
Herbie Hancock and
Dwight Yoakam. The R&B contingent included
Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds,
Janet Jackson,
Jermaine Dupri,
Fergie,
will.i.am,
Usher,
Pink,
Nelly,
Jimmy Jam,
Anthony Hamilton,
Missy Elliott,
Lionel Richie,
Gladys Knight and
Quincy Jones.
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