Keep Memory Alive‘s 24th annual Power of Love® gala at MGM Grand Garden Arena on Saturday brought top artists an performers Billy Ray Cyrus, Kenny “Babyface” Edmons, Kelsey Grammer, Sammy Hagar, Derek Hough, Chris Isaak, Jimmy Kimmel, Katlyn Nichols, Greg Phillinganes and more together to honor music legend Neil Diamond.
Paying tribute to Diamond, who performed for first time since announcing his retirement from touring to raise funds for Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Cyrus opened the show with a rousing performance of “I’m a Believer,” followed by Isaak’s cover of “Solitary Man.”
Also in attenance were Paula Abdul, “Botched” star Paul Nassif, M.D., “Bar Rescue” star Jon Taffer, Matt Goss, jeweler Steven Lagos, chef Hubert Keller, magician Hans Klok, photocomposer Ryszard Horowitz and owner Mark Davis, president Marc Badain and coach Jon Gruden of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Keep Memory Alive Founer and Chairman Larry Ruvo and Kimmel presented Diamond with an award in honor of his impactful musical contributions to the world, followed by a proclamation of March 7 as “Neil Diamond Day” in Las Vegas.
Kimmel added, “I love Las Vegas and I love Neil Diamond. Not only do I love Neil, but my parents love him, my friends love him, my children love him. Neil Diamond is an amazing songwriter and singer and I think you will agree that no Jewish man looks better in sequins than Neil Diamond.”
Celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck and Masaharu Morimoto prepared exquisite cuisine paired with wines from Southern Glazer’s Wine and Spirits, followed by a showstopping dessert from MGM Grand Pastry Team that featured a cocktail wrapped with cotton candy.