Hollywood gathered on a somber note last night (Sat Feb 11) at Clive Davis’ 2012 Pre-Grammy Gala, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, the same hotel where R&B legend Whitney Houston was found dead earlier in the day.

When the sad news broke, there were reports that the annual Clive Davis event would be canceled, but Davis — Houston’s longtime friend and mentor — said that the R&B/Pop icon “would have wanted the music to go on.”

“She loved music and she loved this night that celebrates music,” said Davis, adding that Houston’s family requested that the party continue.

Some of the many celebrities in attendance at the Pre-Grammy Gala and Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Richard Branson and Diana Ross included Diddy, Britney Spears, Mary J. Blige, Quincy Jones, Kelly Rowland, Dr. Dre, Alicia Keys, Swizz Beatz, Wiz Khalifa, Amber Rose, Jamie Foxx, Kim Kardashian, Gabrielle Union and more.

The star-studded event also featured performances from Alicia Keys, Ne-Yo, Pitbull, Marsha Ambrosius, Wiz Khalifa, Jessie J and others. Monica and Brandy were slated to perform their new single “It All Belongs to Me”, but we’re told they were unable to because they were too devastated about Whitney Houston’s passing.

Diana Ross, who was being honored at the event, told a red carpet reporter, “I won’t be able to enjoy it,” when she was asked how she felt about being the night’s guest of honor.

“By now you have all learned of the unspeakably tragic news of our beloved Whitney’s passing,” Clive Davis said at the start of the evening. “I don’t have to mask my emotion in front of a room full of so many dear friends. I am personally devastated by the loss of someone who has meant so much to me for so many years. Whitney was so full of life. She was so looking forward to tonight even though she wasn’t scheduled to perform.”

He continued, “Whitney was a beautiful person and a talent beyond compare. She graced this stage with her regal presence and gave so many memorable performances here over the years. Simply put, Whitney would have wanted the music to go on and her family asked that we carry on.”

Check out 40+ photos from the Clive Davis 2012 Pre-Grammy Gala below:

Nearly three months after his surprising death, Michael Jackson was finally laid to rest Thursday evening (Sep 3) in an intimate ceremony only attended by close family and friends at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, located in the Glendale district of Los Angeles. According to reports, guests were told the ceremony would start promptly at 7 P.M. (sunset) but the Jackson family left them waiting for about an hour until they showed up a little after 8 P.M. (PT).

Jackson’s brothers, Randy, Marlon, Tito, Jackie and Jermaine, wheeled his gold casket to the front of the service once they arrived, and his three children, Prince Michael, Paris and Prince Michael Jr., placed a gold crown on top of the flowers adorning it. They also wrote letters to their father that were placed inside of his casket, alongside one of his signature white gloves.

Celebrities among the attending guests were, of course, the Jackson family, Chris Tucker, Elizabeth Taylor, Quincy Jones, Berry Gordy, Macaulay Culkin, Rev. Al Sharpton, MJ’s ex wife Lisa Marie Presley and Gladys Knight, who sang a gospel song after a prayer by Pastor Lucius Smith. Clifton Davis also performed “Never Can Say Goodbye,” the popular song he wrote for the Jackson 5. After the ceremony was over, MJ’s brothers carried his casket to the Grand Mausoleum, where Michael Jackson entered his final resting place.

After the service, the family ate dinner at an Italian restaurant in Pasadena, CA.

Here is the final batch of photos from Michael Jackon‘s public memorial service. On Tuesday, July 7th 2009, celebrities, dignitaries, and MJ fans alike all packed into the Staples Arena in Los Angeles to celebrate the life of an icon that was taken away from us way too soon. Above, R&B singer Usher can be seen posing with a very pregnant Jennifer Hudson backstage just before the memorial commenced. Continue reading to see photos of the different celebrities (Chris Brown, Wesley Snipes, Spike Lee, Kim Kardashian and more) who attended the ceremony.

PHOTOS: WIRE IMAGE / GETTY IMAGES

Wearing dark sunglasses and a single yellow rose pinned to his jacket, a noticeably emotional Usher performed “Gone Too Soon,” a track from Michael Jackson‘s 1991 Dangerous album, at the King of Pop’s farewell service Tuesday (Jul 7) in Los Angeles at the Staples Center.

Other celebrities and important public figures who spoke and/or performed at the public ceremony include Queen Latifah, Smokey Robinson, Rev. Al Sharpton, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, and more. Continue reading to check out all of the pictures.

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES / WIRE IMAGE

Perhaps the most touching moment of Michael Jackson‘s public memorial at the Staples Center in Los Angeles was when his 11-year-old daughter, Paris Michael Katherine Jackson, made her impromptu speech about her dad:

“Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine. I just want to say I love him so much.”

She then broke down in tears and was immediately consoled by her aunt Janet, who was standing right beside her the entire time. A very sad and touching moment indeed. Continue reading for that video and videos of all of the people (Brooke Shields, Queen Latifah, his brother Marlon Jackson and more) who went up to say what Michael Jackson meant to them and to the world.

MJ’s Daughter Paris Michael Katherine Jackson

Brooke Shields

Queen Latifah

Kobe Bryant & Earvin “Magic” Johnson

Barry Gordy

Martin Luther King III and Bernice King

MJ’s Brothers Jermaine & Marlon Jackson

Smokey Robinson

Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee

Graydon Carter and Vanity Fair played host to the 2009 Vanity Hair Oscar party, which was attended by Russell Simmons, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, and about damn near everyone who held a big name at this year’s Oscar Awards and then some. Don’t believe us? Continue reading for more pics from the red carpet of the party!

PHOTOS: GETTY IMAGES