Davis says its hard turning people down for Grammy gala

NEW YORK (AP) — Clive Davis' pre-Grammy gala is so white-hot you can't purchase tickets, and he says it's been hard letting some longtime attendees know they can't be invited back.

Davis' Saturday night event, held a day before the 2018 Grammy Awards, helped launch the careers of Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys, and have featured all-stars like Aretha Franklin, Carole King, Smokey Robinson and Carly Simon. He first held the gala 42 years ago.

Davis says "there's no such thing as a ticket ... you can't buy a ticket for $50,000." He adds that it's difficult "because it comes a point where you say this is not a lifetime pass."

Past attendees have included Johnny Depp, Quincy Jones and Sting and Joni Mitchell.

Jay-Z will receive an award at this year's gala.