Primary Wave Music founder and CEO Larry Mestel has received City of Hope’s Spirit of Life Award.
The award was presented at City of Hope’s Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) Gala, held on Tuesday (October 27) at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.
Stevie Nicks, Melissa Etheridge, and Jackson Browne performed at the event.
The gala capped a fundraising campaign led by Mestel throughout 2026.
Money raised will support City of Hope’s work in CAR T cell therapy and other cellular immunotherapies, as well as breast cancer research and care.
City of Hope did not disclose the total amount raised in its announcement, but Mestel confirmed it was in the millions.
“Last night was proof that when a community unites around a common, and in many cases, shared purpose, what’s possible is beyond imagination. Over the last few months, I’ve been deeply moved hearing stories from both doctors and patients, and last night was no exception,” said Mestel in a statement on Wednesday (October 28).
“Last night was proof that when a community unites around a common, and in many cases, shared purpose, what’s possible is beyond imagination. Over the last few months, I’ve been deeply moved hearing stories from both doctors and patients, and last night was no exception.”
Larry Mestel, Primary Wave Music
“I am truly humbled to receive the Spirit of Life Award, but what an incredible honor it was to raise millions of dollars to support City of Hope in their fight against cancer.”
TikTok was among the evening’s sponsors.
City of Hope said the sponsorship marked TikTok’s first involvement with the gala, and that it came about through the platform’s relationship with Primary Wave.
“For more than 50 years, the music industry has stood alongside City of Hope in our mission to change what’s possible for people facing cancer,” said Robert Stone, CEO of City of Hope.
“Larry Mestel has carried that legacy forward, inspiring an entire industry to advance cancer research and care. At the heart of this partnership is a shared belief that every patient deserves the best possible chance for a better outcome.
“Together, we are bringing new discoveries and treatments to the patients and families who are counting on us.”
City of Hope named Mestel as its 2026 Spirit of Life honoree in April.
“For more than 50 years, the music industry has stood alongside City of Hope in our mission to change what’s possible for people facing cancer.”
Robert Stone, City of Hope
At the time, Mestel said: “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.”
Alongside the gala, the campaign raised money through online auctions, sweepstakes, and other music-themed fundraisers, according to City of Hope. Items on offer included handwritten lyrics, music memorabilia, and fan experiences.
“One of the things I love most about this industry is what happens when you bring a great idea to people who have the passion, creativity and generosity to make it something extraordinary,” said Alissa Pollack, President of Mediabase at RCS Worldwide and of Global Music Marketing at iHeartMedia, as well as President of City of Hope’s MFEI board.
“One of the things I love most about this industry is what happens when you bring a great idea to people who have the passion, creativity and generosity to make it something extraordinary.”
Alissa Pollack, iHeartMedia
“We invited artists and partners to think beyond the traditional, opening up their catalogs, their personal collections and, in some cases, their lives to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences that money simply can’t buy. The response has been extraordinary and is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish when we unite around a shared purpose.
“Together, we’re not just creating unforgettable moments for fans but we’re creating opportunities to change lives through our support of City of Hope’s breast cancer research.”
The gala’s live auction opened with a donation from Nicks: a signed limited-edition Mattel Bella Donna Barbie doll from her personal collection.
“Music has always been a powerful way to bring people together, and I was honored to support Larry and City of Hope, as well as this incredible community, to help make a difference for everyone facing their own battle with cancer.”
Melissa Etheridge, Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter
Other lots included a signed guitar from Pete Townshend’s collection, a pickleball experience with Kenny Loggins, and a Hawaiian golf and dinner experience with Alice Cooper.
Etheridge, a Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter, is a breast cancer survivor.
“When you’ve faced cancer yourself, you understand just how much hope matters,” said Etheridge. “Music has always been a powerful way to bring people together, and I was honored to support Larry and City of Hope, as well as this incredible community, to help make a difference for everyone facing their own battle with cancer.”
The evening closed with a performance of Landslide by Nicks.
Before her set, Nicks told the audience that four people close to her had received treatment at City of Hope facilities, according to the organization.
Primary Wave acquired a majority stake in Nicks’ publishing catalog in December 2020. The deal included Landslide, as well as Edge of Seventeen, Stand Back, and Dreams.
“Larry has brought exceptional leadership, creativity and personal commitment to this yearlong campaign, inspiring participation from across the industry,” said Evan Lamberg, President of Universal Music Publishing Group North America and Chairman of City of Hope’s MFEI board.
“Larry has brought exceptional leadership, creativity and personal commitment to this yearlong campaign, inspiring participation from across the industry.”
Evan Lamberg, Universal Music Publishing Group North America
“We’re proud to celebrate his accomplishments and build on a philanthropic legacy that has generated more than $180 million in support of City of Hope.”
The MFEI group was founded in 1973.
It had raised USD $170 million for City of Hope as of March 2025, when Tom Corson, then Co-Chairman and COO of Warner Records and now COO of Warner Music Group, was named that year’s Spirit of Life honoree.
City of Hope describes the Spirit of Life Award as its highest philanthropic honor.
Past recipients include Corson, Jay Marciano, Lyor Cohen, Shelli and Irving Azoff, Clive Davis, Sir Lucian Grainge, Quincy Jones, Jon Platt, and Sylvia Rhone.
Mestel founded Primary Wave in 2006. The company describes itself as the world’s largest independent music publisher, with a catalog that includes music by Bob Marley, Prince, Whitney Houston, James Brown, and The Notorious B.I.G.
In July, Primary Wave completed its acquisition of Kobalt from Francisco Partners.
MBW reported at the time that the deal was worth around USD $1.5 billion.
The transaction included an investment from Brookfield, a strategic partner to Primary Wave.
Primary Wave closed its fourth flagship music fund at USD $2.225 billion in April.Music Business Worldwide
