Primary Wave Music founder and CEO Larry Mestel has been honoured with the Spirit Of Life Award by cancer research and treatment organisation City Of Hope.
Mestel received the award at the Music, Film and Entertainment Industry (MFEI) Gala, which took place at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, and featured special performances by Stevie Nicks, Melissa Etheridge and Jackson Browne.
The Spirit of Life Award is City Of Hope's highest philanthropic honour, recognising industry leaders whose professional achievements and humanitarian commitments reflect the organisation's mission to improve and save lives. Mestel joins past honorees including Tom Corson, Jay Marciano, Lyor Cohen, Shelli and Irving Azoff, Clive Davis, Sir Lucian Grainge, Quincy Jones, Jon Platt and Sylvia Rhone.
The award recognised Mestel's leadership of City Of Hope's yearlong Spirit Of Life fundraising campaign, which culminated in the October 27 gala. Throughout 2026, the initiative engaged artists and fans through exclusive online auctions, sweepstakes and music-inspired fundraising opportunities.
I am truly humbled to receive the Spirit Of Life Award
Larry Mestell, Primary Wave Music
"Last night was proof that when a community unites around a common, and in many cases, shared purpose, what’s possible is beyond imagination," said Mestel. "Over the last few months, I’ve been deeply moved hearing stories from both doctors and patients, and last night was no exception. I am truly humbled to receive the Spirit Of Life Award, but what an incredible honour it was to raise millions of dollars to support City Of Hope in their fight against cancer."
The live auction kicked off with a surprise donation of a signed Stevie Nicks limited edition Mattel Belladonna Barbie doll from her own personal collection. Other auction items included a signed guitar from Pete Townshend, a pickleball experience with US singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins, and a Hawaiian golf and dinner experience with Alice Cooper.
Nicks concluded the event with a rendition of the Fleetwood Mac classic, Landslide.
"For more than five decades, our industry has united around City Of Hope's mission, and each year we're reminded of the tremendous impact we can make together," said Evan Lamberg, president of Universal Music Publishing Group North America and chairman of City of Hope's MFEI board. "Larry has brought exceptional leadership, creativity and personal commitment to this yearlong campaign, inspiring participation from across the industry. We're proud to celebrate his accomplishments and build on a philanthropic legacy that has generated more than $180 million in support of City Of Hope."
PHOTO: Joe Scarnici/Getty Images for City Of Hope
