Cancer treatment and research center, the City of Hope, held its annual Spirit of Life Gala in West Hollywood on Wednesday evening, recognizing Warner Records co-chairman and COO Tom Corson, this year’s Spirit of Life award recipient, who was honored with an introduction from Cher and a performance from Michael Bublé.
Corson joins list of high-profile music executives who’ve previously been given the Spirit of Life award including Jay Marciano, Lyor Cohen, Lucian Grainge, Sylvia Rhone, Clive Davis and Irving Azoff among others. Mo Ostin, the late legendary music executive who also served as chairman at Warner, was the first-ever recipient of the award back in 1973.
The City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry, which oversees the annual gala, said Thursday that it expects to have raised about $6 million by the end of this year. Last night during a fundraiser after guests ate their dinner, Corson and his wife Susan (who herself is a cancer survivor) pledged a $100,000 donation. Grainge pledged $50,000, and Warner Records CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck donated $25,000. Saban briefly interrupted the auctioneer’s call for donations to announce he was pledging $250,000 as well.
The Spirit of Life Gala brings together some of the music industry’s most powerful figures each year, with Lucian and Elliot Grainge, Haim Saban, UMPG CEO Jody Gerson, Apple Music head Oliver Schusser, CAA music executive Rob Light and Warner Chappell CEO Guy Moot all among this year’s attendees. Also in attendance were members of Warner Records’ Linkin Park, as well as hit songwriters Jimmy Jam and Diane Warren.
Among those who spoke Wednesday night were UMPG North America president Evan Lamberg, who chairs the MFEI board, The City of Hope’s Dr. Saro Armenian and BET executive Amber Mike, who gave a moving speech recounting her experience fighting cancer.
Bay-Schuck, Corson’s co-head at the label, was among the first speakers of the evening and said that he’s “come to think of Tom as a protector” since the two started working together at Warner Records back in 2018.
“There is no better honoree than Tom,” Bay-Schuck said. “This tribute puts a fine point on a remarkable career spanning over four decades that by all measures is still on the ascent as he continues to lead Warner Records into an absolutely thriving new era that shows no signs of slowing down.”
Cher introduced Corson for his speech later in the evening, lauding the executive as an artist-advocate and recalling the support she’d received from him when she was recording her first Christmas album.
“I’ve found through my experience that people that are the heads of music companies are either suits or music men,” Cher said as she introduced Corson Wednesday evening. “Tom is a music man… I am so honored tonight to present you this award tonight.”
In his speech, Corson spoke about touring the City of Hope’s main campus in Duarte, seeing the work the organization does and the aftercare they give to their patients.
“I’m honored to accept the Spirit of Life Award, but even more honored to stand with my Warner Records family,” Corson said, also thanking the Warner Records artists who also stepped up with donations, including concert tickets and autographed memorabilia. He appeared to fight back tears during his speech as he thanked his family for their support. “Susan, Anna, Lewis, my daughter-in-law Allie, my little grandson Owen, I love you, and I share this night and this honor with you all.”
Corson finished the night by bringing Bublé on stage, who performed both originals like “Sway” and “It’s a Beautiful Day” as well as covers, including a rendition of “Beyond the Sea,” which Bublé said was Corson’s favorite song of all time.
“Feeling supported and loved, that’s my story with Tom. If I had it in my power, I would want this relationship for every artist,” Bublé said. “I would want every kid who’s lucky enough to sign to a record label to feel that kind of love and support, to have a genuine friendship with a man who loves music.”
