As hard as it is to get a ticket to the GRAMMYs, the only ticket that’s tougher is the one to the pre-GRAMMY party hosted every year by legendary music man Clive Davis. But this year, we were given unprecedented, exclusive access to the Beverly Hills bash with American Idol winner Jordin Sparks.

“He really is the man with the golden ears.” -Jordin Sparks

@jordinsparks You should look into presenting on the side. You’re such a natural! @katieshow

— Dros (@fagashbreath) February 19, 2013

Whitney Houston died last year at just 48-years-old, only a few hours before Clive’s annual GRAMMYs gala. She was one of the world’s best selling music artists of all time with over 200 million albums sold worldwide, and Clive Davis was the man behind her record-breaking career. In his new memoir, The Soundtrack of My Life, Clive shares what it was like to lose his greatest love.

“Whitney was full of life just two days before.” -Clive Davis

@clivedavis discusses Whitney Houston’s death with @katiecouric on @katieshow. “You feel helpless when someone is in an addiction.”

— Michael K. Lavers (@mklavers81) February 19, 2013

In his memoir, Clive also reveals that in the 1980s, he began experimenting with his sexuality and now considers himself bisexual. Why did he wait so long to make this revelation public?

“You don’t only have to be one thing or another, for me it’s the person.” -Clive Davis

WOW- #Clive Davis on his Bisexual relationships!!!!I can’t wait to read his book @katiecouric

— Ebelachucku (@EbelaLove) February 19, 2013

Clive Davis was not only instrumental in extending the careers of established artists like Carlos Santana and Rod Stewart, but he was also very busy working with younger artists like Alicia Keys and Kelly Clarkson. With over 44 million records sold, Usher, another one of Clive’s success stories, decided to swing by to show his appreciation.

“The one thing that never dies is incredible ears.” -Usher

Usher on the @katiecouric show, my day is made!!

— Rochelle Cooper (@rochellec33) February 19, 2013