Cher Honors Warner Records COO Tom Corson at City of Hope’s Spirit of Life Gala, Raising Nearly $6 Million

The Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles was the setting for City of Hope's annual Spirit of Life Gala, an event that successfully generated close to $6 million for cancer research and patient care. The star-studded evening attracted a host of music industry leaders, including Linkin Park's Mike Shinoda, songwriter Diane Warren, and Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge, among many others. The program featured a series of impactful speeches from City of Hope representatives before culminating in a performance by Michael Bublé.

In a memorable highlight, the iconic singer Cher made a surprise appearance to present the Spirit of Life Award to Tom Corson, the Co-Chairman and COO of Warner Records. Reflecting on their first meeting just before the "Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again" premiere, Cher distinguished Corson as a true "music man" in a business often run by "suits." She shared a personal anecdote about playing him her first Christmas single, "DJ Play a Christmas Song," for his birthday, recalling her nervous hope that he would approve of the track. Cher, whose 2023 album "Christmas" marked her first full-length holiday release, has enjoyed a career resurgence, demonstrating her enduring appeal across multiple generations.

During his acceptance speech, Corson eloquently spoke about the unifying and healing power of music, praising the collective compassion of the music industry. He expressed that while he was honored to receive the award, his greater pride came from standing alongside his Warner Records colleagues and the wider community in support of City of Hope's mission to accelerate medical discoveries. He also announced that his Warner Music staff would be participating as a team in the upcoming City of Hope Walk for Hope on November 2nd. Following his remarks, Corson introduced Michael Bublé, who closed the night with a set of big band tunes and warmly joked about his exceptionally supportive and rare friendship with the music executive.

The fundraising segment of the gala saw remarkable generosity from attendees, guided by auctioneer Zachary Ian Krone. Significant donations were pledged, including $50,000 from Lucian Grainge, $100,000 from Corson's wife Susan, and an extraordinary $250,000 commitment from media mogul Haim Saban. This level of philanthropy underscores the high-stakes nature of such galas, which are critical for funding specialized research that often falls outside of conventional grant cycles. The evening also featured remarks from a roster of prominent figures, including Warner Records Co-Chairman and CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck and City of Hope's Chief Executive Officer, Robert Stone, further solidifying the deep connection between the entertainment world and medical philanthropy.