At City of Hope Spirit of Life Gala, Stevie Nicks, Jackson Browne and Melissa Etheridge Honor Larry Mestel

A gala honoring Mestel

The event recognized Mestel as this year’s recipient of City of Hope’s Spirit of Life honor. The award has been presented to entertainment executives for five decades, beginning with Mo Ostin in 1973.

Among those attending were Tom Corson and Lucian Grainge, both previous honorees, along with Warner Chappell CEO Guy Moot, CAA’s Rob Light and attorney John Branca. Musicians Kenny Loggins, Jimmy Jam and Justin Tranter were also present.

Cancer research and support

City of Hope’s Music, Film, and Entertainment Industry Group has raised more than $180 million for cancer research. Mestel had set a $10 million fundraising goal for his campaign, but the group had not shared how much it had collected so far.

Etheridge, who said she first met Mestel more than 30 years ago when he worked at Island Records, introduced him. A breast cancer survivor, she praised City of Hope’s work and spoke warmly about Mestel’s support for artists.

Music and a call to action

Etheridge performed three songs, ending with “Come to My Window.” Paul Anka and Pete Townshend also sent recorded tributes: Anka adapted “My Way” for Mestel, while Townshend played an acoustic version of “Let My Love Open the Door.” Mestel said cancer had become personal after his sister and uncle died from the disease over the past year. He described the award as a responsibility to act, and called for more resources to help fight cancer and other illnesses. Browne and Nicks performed after Mestel’s remarks. Nicks recalled that four people close to her, including her best friend and brother, had received treatment at City of Hope; she closed the night with an acoustic “Landslide.”