What recession? Denise Rich’s over-the-top annual Angel Ball gala, which benefited Gabrielle’s Angel Foundation for Cancer Research (created by Rich and her daughters Daniella Rich Kilstock and Ilona Rich Schachter in 1996 in memory of her daughter Gabrielle, who died of leukemia at the age of 27), proved that economic woes did not stop the big bucks from flowing and the big rocks from glowing.

And along with the dazzling bling were the glitzy rockers, as Grammy-nominated songwriter Rich called upon her significant musical cred to attract star-studded performances by Jennifer Hudson, Estelle, Robin Thicke, and British import Blake.

In the celebrity throng: Blake Lively, Penn Badgley, Beth Ostrosky Stern and Howard Stern, Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, Natalie Cole, Sherri Shepherd, Bar Refaeli, Alan Cumming, Clive Davis, Deborah Norville, Ivana Trump, Russell Simmons, Marty Richards, Paula Zahn, Sheikh Hamdan, and Star Jones.

This year’s gala honored Her Highness Sheikha Salama Bint Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan and Thomas Quick and his sister and fellow philanthropist Tricia Quick.

The evening raised nearly $4 mil for cancer research. Guests participated in a live auction hosted by Brooke Hazelton, featuring items such as a one-week stay at Rich’s private Aspen Estate. The silent auction included luxury items from Missoni, Jimmy Choo, Adria de Haume and Charriol, an internship at Harper’s Bazaar, and a getaway to the Breakers.

Even jaded New York partygoers were impressed with Rich’s efforts to make this one of the most talked-about events of the season. One thing’s for sure: where there’s an Angel Ball, there are sure to be a multitude of glittering stars.