Clive Davis once again filled the Beverly Hilton’s international ballroom to the brim with music industry insiders as he presented his pre-Grammy celebration and concert. As always, Saturday night’s show featured a unique mix at the microphone of legends (Joni Mitchell, Barry Manilow), rising stars (Shaboozey, Benson Boone and Teddy Swims) and rock royalty (members of Black Crowes, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Metallica).

But this year’s starry event had a new moniker on the program, billed as an “event” rather than a “gala,” due to the catastrophic Los Angeles blazes that ripped through the city last month. While the wildfires forced a pivot — the typically glamorous affair got scaled back a bit by nixing the red carpet and its crush of press and photographers — and introduced a focus on fundraising via MusiCares, music, as always, remained the start of the show. Saturday night delivered a parade...