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ABC/Eddy ChenIt was an En Vogue reunion Thrusday night when all of the group’s current and former members performed together at the City of Hope Gala in Los Angeles in honor of Epic Records Chairman/CEO Sylvia Rhone.
Cindy Herron, Terry Ellis and Rhona Bennett were joined by former members Dawn Robinson and Maxine Jones as they closed the black-tie event with their hits, including “Hold On” and “Free Your Mind,” according to Billboard.
Alicia Keys and Yolanda Adams were among the many artists attending the event, where Rhone was honored with the Spirit of Life award.
The famed record executive made history in 1994 as the first African-American, and the first woman, to be named chairman and CEO of a major record label when she became head of the Elektra Entertainment Group.
Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder presented the award to Rhone, saying, “She has been called, and this is a quote, ‘the most influential female executive in the history of the music business.’”
Adams opened the show with a medley of her hits, including “Just a Prayer Away” and “Open My Heart.” The four-time Grammy winner was full of praise for her mentor.
“She has inspired me to continue to be a hard worker, a kind person and a great mother,” Adams said. “Most of those songs that you heard me sing Ms. Sylvia Rhone made sure that they were heard by the world and so I owe you so much. You are just impeccably amazing.”
Alicia Keys performed with pop star Sara Bareilles, with Alicia singing her hits “If I Ain’t Got you” and “Girl On Fire.”
The gale raised over $5 million for the City of Hope National Medical Center, which is dedicated to the treatment of cancer and diabetes.
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