MFEI Spirit of Life® Past Honorees
The Spirit of Life Award is presented to individuals who exemplify the ideals and values that have guided City of Hope® for over a century – compassion, service, integrity, curiosity, excellence and collaboration.
Honorees are recognized for their transformative impact—whether through groundbreaking work in their industries, philanthropic leadership, or their commitment to advancing cancer research and care.
The Spirit of Life Award is more than a recognition of past achievements; it is a celebration of those who are actively building a legacy of hope for generations to come. By supporting City of Hope, these leaders help fuel the breakthroughs in cancer research, treatment, and patient care that will transform the future of medicine and bring us closer to finding cures for cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
Our Past Honorees
2025
Tom Corson
Warner Records
2024
Jay Marciano
AEG Presents
2023
Lyor Cohen
YouTube/Google
2022
Monte and Avery Lipman
Republic Records
2019
Sylvia Rhone
Epic Records
2018
John Platt
Sony Music Publishing
2017
Coran Capshaw
Red Light Management
2016
Joel Katz
Greenberg Traurig LLP
2015
Sir Lucian Grainge
Universal Music Group
2014
Eddy Cue
Apple
2013
Rob Light
CAA
2012
Bob Pittman
Clear Channel Communications
2011
Shelli and Irving Azoff
Live Nation Entertainment and Front Line Management
2009
Tim Leiweke
AEG
2008
Doug Morris
Universal Music Group
2007
Bob Cavallo
Disney Music Group
2006
Charles Goldstuck
Bertelsmann Music Group, U.S.
2005
Mark Mays
Clear Channel Communications
2004
Van Toffler
MTV/MTV2/MTV Films
2003
Neil Portnow
The Recording Academy
2002
Burt Berman
Robert Kraft
Gary Lemel
Chris Montan
Kathy Nelson
Lia Vollack
MFEI Honors Film Music Presidents
2001
Edgar Bronfman Jr.
Vivendi Universal
2000
Frances W. Preston
BMI
1999
Phil Quartararo
Warner Bros Records
1998
Howard Lander, Timothy White
Billboard Publications
1997
Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds & Antonio "LA" Reid
LaFace Records
1996
John Sykes
VH1
1995
Allen J. Grubman
Grubman, Indursky, Schindler, and Goldstein
1994
Fredric D. Rosen
Ticketmaster
1993
Alain Levy
Polygram Group
1992
Michael Dornemann
Bertelsmann Music Group
1991
Al Teller
MCA Music Entertainment
1990
Thomas D. Mottola
CBS Records
1989
Henry Droz
Bob Fead
Joel Friedman
Don Passman
Lee Phillips
Mel Posner
Myron Roth
Honoring MFEI's Past Presidents
1988
Joe Smith
Capitol Industries
1987
Bill Graham
Bill Graham Presents
1986
Herb Albert & Jerry Moss
A&M Records
1985
Tony Scotti
Scotti Brothers Entertainment
1984
Jay Lasker
Motown Records
1983
Irving Azoff
MCA Records Group
1982
Quincy Jones
Artist, Producer, Composer
1981
Johnny Mathis
Artist
1980
Russ Solomon
Tower Records
1979
Bruce Lundvall
CBS Records
1978
Clive Davis
Arista Records
1977
Helen Reddy & Jeff Wald
Artist and Manager
1975
Cy Leslie
Pickwick International
1974
Hal Cook
Billboard
1973
Mo Ostin
Warner Bros Records
Our Past Performers
Bryan Adams Yolanda Adams Trey Anastasio Sara Bareilles Clint Black Jon Bon Jovi Boyz II Men Mariah Carey Deana Carter Chicago Shawn Colvin Eagles Earth Wind & Fire En Vogue | Melissa Etheridge Don Henley Faith Hill Jewel Elton John Alicia Keys Chad Kroeger k.d. lang Kathy Mattea Dave Matthews Johnny Matthis Brian McKnight John Mellencamp Bill Murray | Stevie Nicks No Doubt Katy Perry Paul Reiser Ryan Seacrest Marc Shaiman Garry Shandling Sam Smith Rod Stewart James Taylor Steve Winwood Stevie Wonder Wynonna |