Livin’ large in the ’80s
and havin’ fun
But Reg and I were
always on the run
We lived out of a suitcase
cuz we traveled a lot,
But we did get to sample
a few things
that only money bought.
While in the middle of writing about my second tour of Boston, in ChapterXLII, I happened to watch a documentary called “The Soundtrack Of Our Lives.”
It was about Clive Davis, and I had no idea how many artists he was involved with.
Then when they mentioned Clive’s famous pre-Grammy parties, it brought back a great memory.
I’d just begun working on the MOYL satellite project in LA, and my daughter Candis and I had just moved into an apartment in Westwood.
Shortly after settling in I called my old friend Charlie Minor at A&M records to let him know I was in town for a while.
Charlie said that I couldn’t have called at a better time because he had a question that required an immediate yes or no.
When I said, ” Fire when ready,” he said, “I have two tickets for the Grammys tomorrow night. Do you want them?”
“Hey, Candis,” I yelled, “Charlie wants to know if we wanna go to the Grammy’s tomorrow night?”
When her screams of joy subsided, Charlie told me to meet him at Le Dome that evening, and he’d give me the tickets.
When we arrived at Le Dome, they were already turning people away, and I thought, “Oh-oh!”
However, the mere mention of Charlie’s name got us whisked right in.
Then when we spotted him holding court at the bar with all the other Hollywood Knights, we started to work our way toward him.
Our progress was slow because first, we had to make our way through Charlie’s entourage, who were standing around drinking flutes of Champagne.
As soon as Charlie saw us, he came right over, and after hugging Candis, he slipped me the Grammy tickets.
Then he whispered, “Stay close, man; we’re gonna crash the Arista party.”
The next thing I knew, he said, “We’re outta here.”
After a short limo ride, we’re at the Beverly Hills Hotel, following Charlie down a staircase to the ballroom below.
As we descended, I couldn’t help but notice all the signs that read, private party, no admittance, and once again, I thought, “Oh-oh!”
Suddenly from out of nowhere, Clive Davis appears, and after hugging Charlie and thanking him for bringing his friends, he escorts us inside.
After sitting Candis and me at the Jefferson Starship table, which I thought was very cool, but when Barry Manilow and Kenny G came over and introduced themselves to us, that was mind-boggling.
However, as good as the evening was going, I would guess that the highlight of Candis’s evening had to have been when Charlie called her over to meet her childhood idol, Donny Osmond.
I was amazed that she could carry on an entire conversation without blurting out that she had grown up singing into her Donny and Marie microphones daily. (Donny pictured on top)
What a fun and memorable party, but the next night, the Grammy’s hilariously hosted by Billy Crystal was equal to the task.
When it was over, we went to a private party at Spago’s where Wolfgang Puck not only personally served us one of his famous personal-sized pizzas, but we also got to mingle with the stars again.
I lost Candis early when she spotted her favorite soap star, Rick Springfield across the room, and I never saw her again until it was time to go.
I’ll never forget those Hollywood nights, nor will I ever forget the most magnificent Hollywood Knight of them all, Charlie Minor.
Rest In Peace, my brother.