Resorts World Las Vegas presented the 25th Annual Keep Memory Alive charitable gala to honor legendary musicians Smokey Robinson and Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds on Saturday, Oct. 16, in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The evening of friendship and philanthropy featured performances by Smokey, Babyface, Charlie Wilson, Bruno Mars, Jordin Sparks, Marilyn McCoo and Billy Davis Jr., Demi Lovato, AJ McLean, Tori Kelly, Kenny Loggins, and more.
Invited guests dined on gourmet cuisine from celebrity chefs Wolfgang Puck and Bobby Flay. Flay recently announced he was leaving the Food Network after 27 years.
Bruno Mars, who introduced Babyface, came out to loud applause. “Sit down! Sit down! Please!” he told the well-heeled audience.
Bruno said he was stunned when Babyface told him he’d originally written his hit single “Every Time I Close My Eyes” for Luther Vandross.
“I said, ‘You did what?’ I am a songwriter, and I understand how hard it is to come up with these chords and make something that’s magical, and I couldn’t believe he would give it away.”
Smoky Robinson, right, who recently recovered from Covid-19, was introduced by “Black-ish” actor Anthony Anderson, center.
Smokey said, “I cannot even begin to express how humbled I am to receive this award. I don’t do what I do to get awards. I do it for the love of it.”
Smokey performed his hits “Being With You,” and “Tracks of My Tears.” His friend Charlie Wilson joined him for a duet of “All My Love.”
