Clive Davis and The Recording Academy®
The Pre-Grammy® Gala: A Storied Past and Promising Future
As we look forward to another unforgettable chapter in the history of music with the 67th Annual Grammy Awards®, we can’t help but take a nostalgic trip down memory lane. A significant part of this journey is a look at the iconic Pre-Grammy® Gala presented by Clive Davis and The Recording Academy®. The 2013 event was a notable one, with Epic Records’ Chairman and CEO, Antonio “L.A.” Reid being honored. Fast forward to the present year, 2025, the Gala has kept its promise of special musical performances and the attendance of world-renowned and industry VIPs. This post offers a flashback to that memorable 2013 event while celebrating the continued legacy of this preeminent celebration.
The 2013 Pre-GRAMMY® Gala took place on Saturday, Feb. 9, at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, Calif. This star-studded celebration was sponsored by Harman, Hilton Hotels &; Resorts, Hyundai, and MasterCard Worldwide.
The highlight of the evening was the GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons® honoring Antonio “L.A.” Reid. The Recording Academy presented Reid with the President’s Merit Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the music industry.
Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy, expressed his excitement about the collaboration with Clive Davis on this gala. He also praised Reid for fostering and guiding young , thereby shaping the contemporary music landscape.
Before his executive role, Reid was a recording , drummer, songwriter, and producer. He co-founded LaFace Records with Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, in partnership with Clive Davis and Arista Records, introducing multi-platinum artists like Toni Braxton, OutKast, TLC, and Usher. The label reshaped R&;B and hip-hop, becoming one of the premier record companies of its time.
Throughout his career, Reid produced and co-wrote more than 30 No. 1 singles and won three GRAMMY Awards. He was accepted into Harvard Business School’s Advanced Management Program in 1999 and received the Music Visionary of the Year Award in 2006. Reid continues to develop and guide young artists and inspire music fans the world.
Stay tuned for more updates on the upcoming Pre-Grammy® Gala and the 67th Annual Grammy Awards®.
#PreGrammyGala #MusicAwards #CliveDavis #LAReid #MusicIndustry
