Melissa Etheridge, Stevie Nicks, and Jackson Browne will perform at City of Hope‘s 2026 Music, Film, and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) Spirit of Life Gala.
City of Hope named Mestel the recipient of its 2026 Spirit of Life Award in April, as MBW reported.
The gala will take place on Tuesday, October 27 at the Pacific Design Center in Los Angeles.
City of Hope announced the lineup on Wednesday (June 10), with more performers and guests to be named in the coming months.
This year’s campaign will support City of Hope‘s work in CAR T cell therapy and other cellular immunotherapies, with a portion of the funds raised also going toward breast cancer research and care.
“As a breast cancer survivor, this cause is deeply personal to me. I know how critical research, compassionate care and breakthrough treatments are for patients and families facing cancer.”
Melissa Etheridge
The gala falls during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, observed each October.
“As a breast cancer survivor, this cause is deeply personal to me,” said Etheridge. “I know how critical research, compassionate care and breakthrough treatments are for patients and families facing cancer.”
“I’m honored to join City of Hope, Larry and this incredible community during Breast Cancer Awareness Month to help raise support for lifesaving research and bring more hope to people navigating this disease.”
The lineup announcement followed a campaign kickoff in New York City.
“City of Hope’s mission is deeply meaningful to me and to so many people throughout our industry,” said Mestel. “This night is about harnessing the power of music and community to fund lifesaving research, support patients and families, and help create a future where more people survive cancer.”
“City of Hope’s mission is deeply meaningful to me and to so many people throughout our industry.”
LARRY MESTEL, PRIMARY WAVE
Marcel van den Brink, M.D., Ph.D, president of City of Hope Los Angeles and City of Hope National Medical Center, added: “CAR T cell therapy and other cellular immunotherapies are transforming the future of cancer treatment, offering new hope to patients facing some of the most difficult cancers.
“Philanthropic support from leaders like Larry Mestel and the music community helps accelerate discoveries from the laboratory to patients faster. We are deeply grateful to these extraordinary artists and industry leaders for helping City of Hope push the boundaries of what’s possible in cancer research and care.”
“Philanthropic support from leaders like Larry Mestel and the music community helps accelerate discoveries from the laboratory to patients faster.”
Marcel van den Brink, City of Hope Los Angeles and City of Hope National Medical Center
Nicks is among the artists whose catalog Primary Wave controls. The company acquired a majority stake in her publishing catalog in December 2020.
The catalog spans Nicks-penned hits including Landslide, Edge of Seventeen, Stand Back and Dreams.
Mestel founded Primary Wave in 2006.
The company describes itself as the largest independent music publishing company in the world, and says it has controlled over 100,000 songs from artists including Bob Marley, Prince and Whitney Houston.
“For decades, the music community has been part of the fabric of City of Hope‘s mission, showing up with extraordinary generosity, heart and purpose.”
Kristin Bertell, City of Hope
The MFEI group was founded in 1973.
It has raised over $180 million for City of Hope, honoring figures including Quincy Jones, Clive Davis and Sir Lucian Grainge in past years.
“For decades, the music community has been part of the fabric of City of Hope‘s mission, showing up with extraordinary generosity, heart and purpose,” said Kristin Bertell, chief philanthropy officer at City of Hope.
“We are deeply thankful to these artists for helping bring people together in support of cancer research and care, and for reminding patients and families everywhere that there is an entire community standing with them.”Music Business Worldwide
