Primary Wave Music Founder and CEO Larry Mestel has been named this year’s recipient of the Spirit of Life award.
The award is handed out annually by the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) board of City of Hope, a private, non-profit research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening diseases located in Duarte (Los Angeles County), California.
Mestel will be honored at a gala on October 27, 2026, at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.
Among the music industry figures to have received the award in past years are Tom Corson, Jay Marciano, Lyor Cohen, Shelly and Irving Azoff, Edgar Bronfman Jr., Sir Lucian Grainge, Quincy Jones, Joel Katz, Monte and Avery Lipman, Jon Platt, and Sylvia Rhone, among others.
“We are proud to honor Larry Mestel with the Spirit of Life Award,” said Kristin Bertell, Chief Philanthropy Officer at City of Hope.
“What stands out about Larry is not just what he’s built, but how he’s built it — through trust, partnership and shared vision. At City of Hope, that same approach is what defines our philanthropic community.”
“In music, collaboration is essential — and that same mindset is critical in the fight against cancer.”
Larry Mestel, Primary Wave Music
Evan Lamberg, President of Universal Music Publishing Group North America and Chair of City of Hope’s MFEI board, said: “We are so honored to have Larry Mestel as our distinguished honoree for City of Hope’s Spirit of Life 2026. Larry and his Primary Wave team have already made a big impact for City of Hope and the event on October 27th, 2026 will certainly be one to remember.”
Alissa Pollack, EVP of Global Music Marketing at iHeartMedia and President of the MFEI board, added: “Larry’s influence on the music industry is undeniable, but what stands out just as much is his commitment to collaboration and long-term impact.
“The Spirit of Life campaign is a powerful reminder of what this industry can accomplish when we come together, and Larry is the kind of leader who inspires that collective action.”
The announcement on Tuesday (April 14) noted that Mestel founded Primary Wave Music in 2006, “pioneering a new model for stewarding and expanding the value of iconic music catalogs”.
Under his leadership, the company has grown into one of the largest independent music companies in the world, representing more than 100,000 songs from legendary artists including Bob Marley, Prince, Whitney Houston, Stevie Nicks, Notorious B.I.G., INXS, Olivia Newton-John, and James Brown, among many others.
Beyond publishing, Primary Wave has built a full-service operation spanning branding, marketing, film and television production, and estate management.
Last month, Primary Wave announced a definitive agreement to acquire Kobalt from Francisco Partners.
Prior to founding Primary Wave, Mestel served as Chief Operating Officer and General Manager of Virgin Records, and before that held the role of Executive Vice President and General Manager at Arista Records. He also served as COO of Island Entertainment Group, which included Island Records, Island Music Publishing and Island Pictures.
Mestel’s leadership has earned widespread recognition, including repeated appearances on Billboard‘s Power 100, honors from Goldman Sachs as one of its ‘100 Most Intriguing Entrepreneurs’, and inclusion in the Variety 500.
Mestel said: “City of Hope represents what’s possible when people come together around a shared purpose. In music, collaboration is essential — and that same mindset is critical in the fight against cancer.
“With my younger sister having passed away from cancer last year, the City of Hope has even more meaning to me, and I am honored to support an organization that is advancing cancer research and care for patients and families.”
Proceeds from the Spirit of Life Gala will support City of Hope’s research and patient care programs.Music Business Worldwide
