GIVING BACK

Spirit Rally: Music and Money at Mestel's City of Hope Gala

October 28, 2026

Music-biz supremos, VC dignitaries and health-care miracle workers congregated in their finery at L.A.’s Pacific Design Center Oct. 27 for City of Hope’s Spirit of Life gala honoring Larry Mestel.

The Primary Wave chief has pulled out all the stops during his campaign to aid COH’s groundbreaking work to treat, prevent and even cure cancers and other dread diseases. It remains to be seen whether Mestel’s efforts, which continue through year’s end, will surpass the all-time fundraising record held by Doug Morris, but insiders say it very well might.

Auctions during the course of the evening (a Maui golf outing with Alice Cooper and Shep Gordon! A top-chef dinner for 10! Pickleball with Kenny Loggins!) added significantly to the coffers.

The event featured musical performances by bona fide legends and Mestel fans Melissa Etheridge, Jackson Browne, Stevie Nicks and (via video message) Pete Townshend. Each performer spoke of the veteran exec’s wisdom and compassion as a professional partner.

Etheridge recalled meeting Mestel when he worked for her first label head, Chris Blackwell. Unlike the swashbuckling, mercurial Island chief, she recalled, “Larry was always there,” and she reconnected with him years later when she sought forward-looking management.

Nicks remembered an early ‘80s visit to a dear friend who was receiving leukemia treatment at COH; the singer confided that she was doing so much coke that she looked worse than her friend did. She then related the story of writing “Landslide” and proceeded to perform it, accompanied by trusty guitarist Waddy Wachtel.

Industry machers and COH Music, Film and Entertainment Industry Group stalwarts Alissa Pollack and Evan Lamberg also paid heartfelt tribute to the honoree. In his own remarks, Mestel spoke emotionally about losing his sister and uncle to cancer, underscoring how personally he takes COH’s mission to prolong lives. It was a direct and eloquent appeal.

There was also powerful testimony from UMG’s Heather Quintana-Suchan, a lung-cancer survivor whose life was unquestionably saved by COH intervention.

Sated on champers, steak, black cod, rich desserts, ample schmoozing and a heightened sense of philanthropy, the assembled faithful adjourned to their Ubers.

Stay tuned for updated info, photos and other tidbits. Of course, you can still donate to this vital organization. Why not take out that platinum card and do so now?