As was reported earlier, it appears that Whitney Houston passed away by drowning yesterday afternoon just hours before she was scheduled to appear and reportedly perform at The Recording Academy and Clive Davis Annual Pre-Grammy Party that famously takes place annually each night before the Grammy Awards. Because the event was so beloved by Whitney, her mentor and friend Clive Davis decided that the show would go on despite her death and would, instead, be turned into an impromptu memorial for the late Whitney Houston. Clive Davis opened the show last night with remarks about Whitney‘s passing and then led the assembled audience in a respectful moment of silence … and then the party got underway. Click below to see photos and watch video from last night’s somber yet celebratory event.
The death of Whitney Houston has rocked the industry on the eve of music’s biggest night, but the show must go on – it’s what she would have wanted, music mogul Clive Davis said Saturday night. “Whitney was so full of life. She was so looking forward to tonight,” he told those gathered Saturday night at The Recording Academy and Clive Davis’s pre-Grammy gala, which she was due to attend (although she was not scheduled to perform, he said, as previously reported). “She loved music and loved this night that celebrated music,” he continued of the late singer, whose death is currently under investigation. “Whitney would have asked that the music go on. And her family said the show should go on.” With “a very heavy heart,” Davis also asked party goers to join him in a moment of silence. “Now ladies and gentlemen,” he said after, “let the music begin.” As the party started, Houston’s body was still in the Beverly Hilton hotel. First to take the stage: Tony Bennett, who sang “How Do You Keep the Music Playing?” “First Michael Jackson, then Amy Winehouse and now Whitney,” he said before advocating that the government legalizes drugs. Bennett was followed by Diana Krall. Then it was Diddy who tried to push the event from somber to celebratory. “Whenever you saw Whitney, she hit you with that beautiful smile,” he said. “If we truly believe in God, then we should celebrate the life of Whitney Houston tonight.” When Alicia Keys performed, she dedicated part of “No One” to Houston.
I am WELL aware of the old adage that The Show Must Go On but I, personally, feel it was weird to carry on with this event so shortly after Whitney‘s death. The woman had died only hours before the show took place … IN THE VERY SAME HOTEL. I dunno, to me, it would’ve been more respectful if they had canceled the party element and just mourned her death instead. As for Clive‘s assertion that Whitney was not “scheduled” to perform, well, if past years are any indication … Whitney never needed any scheduling plan to jump up on stage at this event and sing her heart out for the assembled audience. I know absolutely that had Whitney been able to attend last night’s show, she would’ve performed. In regards to Tony Bennett‘s remarks about the “legalization of drugs” … I mean … I’m going to just interpret those remarks as something said in the heat of the moment because it just seems incredibly odd that he would even go there with his remarks … just, odd. Here are some photos of some of the celebs who attended Clive Davis‘s party last night:
As fabulous as it is to see Britney Spears look so lovely on the red carpet, I can’t help feel that it just looks so wrong for everyone to look so happy on the red carpet when we all know that mere hours before, Whitney Houston had died in that same hotel. Maybe I’m being a bit too dramatic but … I dunno, it just seems wrong to me. Clive Davis did take on a somber tone to open the party last night, here is video of his remarks:
In the end, the event did prove to be a way for some of Whitney‘s friends to celebrate her life so soon after it ended … and maybe that is how some people need to heal. I’m well aware of the fact that people mourn in their own way. No matter, we’ve all suffered a great loss … and last night’s tribute was only the first in a series of tributes to come. I understand the Grammy Awards tonight will pay homage to Whitney’s memory and memorials are starting to be announced all over the country. It’s just sad for me to think that last night was the first Clive Davis Grammy Party without Whitney Houston in many, many years ;(
[Photo credit: Wireimage; Source, Source]
You absolutely are NOT too dramatic. I actually look at those people and ask myself “how can you look so happy, right THERE, right NOW ?”. But then of course we are all different.
I agree with you Trent I know it’s Hollywood and the Music business but it seems a little disrespectful to be all happy and partying it up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSJUEnSWKgI (1994, Whitney Houston singing a song called “Don’t Cry For Me”)
I agree, I find it ridiculously disturbing the show went on, in the exact same hotel she had just died in !! And to say that, she would have wanted it this way is weird. If I died, I wouldn’t want friends and family having a party in the house I just died in. So bizarre.
I agree, they should have cancelled the party. The fact that it took place in the same hotel where she died…that is just insensitive IMO.
i know, i was upset that they partied in the same hotel while whitney’s body is still there in her room. i was so upset that he knew her for years and he cant even cancel an event like this, an event he has for yrs.. just like,stop it for 1 time to pay respect for her.
So strange. If they are anything like thousands of others, myself included, their judgment may have been clouded by an absolute state of shock. Celebrating anything while she was still in the hotel is in poor taste. I wish they could have gathered solely in memorial or dedication to her. I agree though, everyone has their own way of healing. Soon after the news hit twitter, there were some people reporting that her publicist denied the initial death report. I was so relieved! Only to be hit again with the reality that she is actually gone. My heart hurts today. RIP Whitney.
Uhh, not only had she just died, but did I read that correctly that her body was STILL THERE when this part started??!!!
That’s just disturbing. And disrespectful in my opinion. I guess ‘to each his own’…..
Such a loss! As for the event, it appears that clove was unsure of what to do. There was an initial report that it was cancelled, then report later came in that they will intact move forward with it as a tribute ceremony to her. As much as wished they had cancelled it, I also understand that it was so sudden and just hours before the party. People were not really sure of what was really going on and some were confused from what I heard. Some celeb found out at the venue. I cannot be too harsh on those that attended because it was sudden and it Will take time for it to sink in.
It is odd especially with her body there. I don’t even know what to say really. Britney looks cute?
I agree with you Trent. I feel the same way in fact I wad going to write the same thing. It was so wrong to have the party in the same hotel where whitney’s body was found in fact it was probably still there when it started. They could of at least moved it some where else.
I think you guys are being over dramatic. It’s very sad and very tragic, yes. But to say that it’s wrong for people to be smiling is a little ridiculous. You didn’t know Whitney Houstin. She wasn’t your friend or family member. Do you cry and become upset and stop your daily activities and cancel your plans when you hear about someone you’ve never met dying on the news? Most likely not. Two children were burned alive in an explosion set by their father not that long ago and yet, your lives went on. It just bothers me how everyone wants to the world to stop whenever an A List celebrity dies.
Well said.
Is that red head Tony Bennett’s girlfriend? Ugggh.. gold digger.
@Asha — That is his daughter.
@trent, i totally agree it is very strange and just feels wrong to see spears’ and other celebs’ happy faces on the red carpet…… i was sitting there crying while they, who actually knew her, went on to pose for cameras.
Britney has no heart.
I know it may seem odd to some but I can understand. The night after my Father passed away at our home, all of us there my mother,brother,sister,brother-in-law, 2 of my aunts and I stayed up until 5am telling stories and laughing about my Father’s life. If you know how someone lived then you will know how they want to be remembered. In my experience that is the case.