Live Nation Entertainment Executive Chairman Irving Azoff and his wife Shelli are to become the first married couple to be honored with the Spirit of Life Award.
The Spirit of Life award is presented by City of Hope, the leading research, treatment and education center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. It recognises people in the music and entertainment industries who have committed their time and resources into helping others in need.
“We are pleased to bestow our highest philanthropic honor to Shelli and Irving Azoff,” said Gary Stiffelman, President, City of Hope’s Music and Entertainment Industry Group in a statement. “They are a model of philanthropic commitment and an inspiration to everyone who seeks to make cancer a curable and ultimately preventable disease.”
“We are grateful and privileged to receive this year’s Spirit of Life Award, and are proud to help recognize the incredible work being done by researchers at City of Hope,” the Azoffs said. “The institution’s level of advanced research into finding cures for life-threatening diseases is unparalleled, and we’re pleased to support its vision.”
The Azoffs have done away with the formality of the presentation and instead of the traditional black-tie dinner ceremony they will celebrate the occasion with a family day at Universal Studios.
On May 7, the park will close early to provide invited guests exclusive access to the theme park including all rides and attractions. The event will begin at the Gibson Amphitheatre on the Universal Studio grounds and then party on through-out the park with private live performances featuring music and comedy.
Irving and Shelli Azoff have four children.
Irving is the business end of acts including the Eagles, Josh Groban, Christina Aguilera, Van Halen and Neil Diamond. In 2008 following a merger with his company and Ticketmaster he became Chairman and CEO of Ticketmaster. After that merged with Live Nation, he became Executive Chairman of the newly named Live Nation Entertainment.
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VIDEO: Eagles, watch part 2 of the Undercover video interview with Timothy B. Schmit:
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