2008 Pre-Grammy Parties

Miley Cyrus

Miley Cyrus

tried her hand on the drums when she tested out the Rock Band game for the XBox 360 at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards Grammy gift lounge. Cyndi Lauper, Ringo Starr and The Pussycat Dolls were among the other stars of song who made a pre-Grammy trip to the Staples Center to load up on goodies.

-With reporting by Kimberly Lansing, Lindzi Scharf and Andrea Simpson

Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson

Music network Fuse TV hosted familiar favorites and edgy newcomers with a rock star celebration at Hollywood's newest hotspot, Goa. Cool couples like Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson mingled with super groups Panic at the Disco, Maroon 5 and AFI in celebration of the 50th anniversary of prestigious music awards show. Who will Wentz and Simpson be rooting for on Sunday night? "I love Kanye West," Simpson declared. As for Wentz, he reserved his praise for his girlfriend. "I'm her No. 1 fan," said the Fall Out Boy front man.

Leighton Meester

Leighton Meester

was among the small screen stars who checked out the hip scene at the Verizon Wireless/ People magazine bash, held at Hollywood hot spot Avalon. Mario Lopez and Jaime Pressly also watched the performances by Missy Elliot and One Republic and chilled out among the Grammy nominees inside the bordello-themed club.

Fergie and John Legend

The Black Eyed Peas 4th Annual Peapod Foundation Benefit Concert rocked hot club Avalon in Hollywood. The impressive list of guest performers included John Legend, Randy Jackson, Natasha Bedingfield and the Peas themselves, all in support of the band's foundation, which supports innovative programs for children and encourages social change by uniting people through music. "Traveling around the world and seeing disease and poverty [shows me that] it's about giving back," said Fergie (in Catherine Malandrino). " I just got back from going to a high school for my MAC Viva Glam AIDS campaign and I'm really excited about it."

Jermaine Dupri and Janet Jackson

With a new album set for release later this month, Janet Jackson was the woman of the hour at music producer Jermaine Dupri's annual pre-Grammy bash, held at L.A.'s Central Hollywood Lounge. Ne-Yo, Kim Kardashian and Elliott Yamin joined Miss Jackson for the Hollywood hit-maker's party.

Plain White T's

Grammy nominees Plain White T's did what they do best-perform-at the annual Grammy gift lounge. The band also enjoyed the spoils of their newfound success, picking up some sweet swag like earphones from Soundcage, iPod speakers from iHome2Go and Croton watches.

Jordin Sparks

Verizon Wireless and People magazine's party honored music mogul Timbaland, whose very name drew an all-star group of performers and guests including Fergie, Natasha Bedingfield, and Paris Hilton. "This is my first Grammy's party ever! I don't know what's going to go on," said an awestruck Jordin Sparks. Who is at the top of the American Idol's music industry must-meet list? "I haven't met Beyonce yet. I was at the AMA's and she was standing right next to me, but I couldn't say anything. I still get star struck," Sparks admitted.

Nelly Furtado

After a quick trip to New York City to talk up her favorite designer at fashion week and support the cause at Madonna's Malawi benefit, Nelly Furtado let her pen do the talking at the Grammy gift lounge. Furtado added her name to a pair of autographed guitars, which will be auction off to benefit the MusiCares Foundation, which provides support to struggling musicians.

John Stamos

John Stamos

helped pay tribute to the queen of soul when the Grammy MusiCares Foundation presented the 2008 Person of the Year award to Aretha Franklin at the Los Angeles Convention Center. John Legend, Corrine Bailey Rae and Fantasia performed hits from Franklin's catalogue, while Dan Ackroyd and James Belushi helped recreate the songstress' legendary scene from The Blues Brothers.

Chris Daughtry

Does Chris Daughtry (second from right) get a hard time about being an American Idol castoff from his bandmates? "All the time. I have the bruises to show it!" exclaimed the four-time Grammy nominee at the Fuse TV bash. Still, Daughtry admitted to counting Idol among his current guilty pleasures. "I've seen two episodes," said the rocker of keeping current with this season's recruits.