Record company lawyer Clive Davis became one of the most powerful figures in the music industry, launching or reviving the careers of superstars such as Janis Joplin. whitney houstonCarlos Santana and Alicia KeysHis family confirmed that he had passed away. He is 94 years old.His publicist, Aliza Rabinoff, confirmed the news of his death in his Manhattan apartment and shared a statement from his family.
Clive Davis’ family announces his death
“To the world, our father was an iconic music legend whose vision, instinct and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives,” the statement read. “He discovered, mentored and supported some of the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will be remembered for generations to come.”Earlier this year, Davis was hospitalized for upper respiratory issues and released a few days later.Unlike other record moguls whose influence wanes with age, Davis’s influence only seems to continue to grow, spanning multiple genres and labels. In his later years, he guided the careers of everyone from Barry Manilow to “American Idol” winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. Since 1975, his exclusive Grammy Awards show, held annually on the Saturday night before the Sunday awards ceremony, remains a tradition.
Celebrities mourn death of Clive Davis
“Clive’s talent has always been seeing and hearing things that others cannot see and hear,” former President Barack Obama said in a video message played at this year’s gala.Carlos Santana said in a statement, “Clive Davis was a visionary. He could hear the invisible voice before others could see it. He believed in Santana from the beginning, and years later he believed in us again. That faith has been a beautiful blessing and I will be forever grateful.” Clive understood that music was more than just entertainment. Music is a healing force. It unites people beyond fear, beyond separation, and beyond borders. He dedicated his life to supporting artists and helping them share their gifts with the world. “He went on to add: “Clive recognized the light in people. He encouraged artists to trust their own voice and step into their own destiny. Because of his vision, countless musicians were able to touch hearts around the world.”Alicia Keys pays tribute to Clive Davis, saying: “A tribute to Clive Davis, a visionary who turned dreams into reality and left an indelible mark on music and life around the world.”Michael Bublé wrote on Instagram: “My heart is broken to hear the news of Clive Davis’ passing. Clive was more than a music legend, he was a champion for artists and a man who believed in people and their dreams. Forever grateful for his guidance, his generosity and the opportunities he gave so many of us.”Paul Stanley tweeted: “The music community and all those who loved music for 6 decades have lost a visionary and champion of so many artists in so many genres. A unique talent.”Barry Manilow also wrote on Twitter: “My heart is heavy with the loss of my friend Clive Davis. For fifty years we worked together, created together, argued together, celebrated together. Yes, some would say it was business. But for Clive, it never was.” This is family. I’m honored to be a part of him. “
brooklyn background
Clive Jay Davis was born on April 4, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in the Crown Heights neighborhood. His father was an electrician and traveling salesman. He attended New York University and Harvard Law School, eventually landing a job as an in-house attorney at Columbia Records.Davis always had a flair for business, and by 1967 he became president of the company, just seven years after being hired as an attorney. He noted that attending that year’s Monterey International Pop Festival was key; he eventually introduced Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Neil Diamond and many other bands to the label, bringing a counterculture spirit to a company that had resisted rock music.Davis made a dramatic shift in the music industry, particularly in his support of black artists, when he signed Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International Records in 1971.In 2015, the NAACP awarded Davis its Pioneer Award in recognition of his groundbreaking work. Last summer, Davis received the Apollo Theater’s Apollo Legacy Award and was inducted into its Walk of Fame.
The success story of Clive Davis
His success story is astounding, with Houston’s highest achievements but also devastating tragedy: Davis signed her to his Arista Records when she was still a teenager and turned her into America’s hottest pop princess. Before drug abuse derailed her career, Houston had multiple No. 1 hits and became one of the best-selling artists in pop history. She died in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2012, just hours before she was to attend the annual Grammy Awards, hosted by Davis, who was convinced she was turning her life around.“Perhaps I should have been more skeptical,” Davis wrote in his 2013 memoir, “The Soundtrack of My Life,” “but I was always optimistic, and I felt hopeful. It feels like an old time. “He also launched the career of multi-platinum, multi-Grammy winner Keys, and quickly took note of the other talents he signed, including Joplin and Billy Joel, Blood Sweat & Tears and other “all-stars,” as he often called them.“I signed Patti Smith, the great woman of the Renaissance…I signed Lou Reed…I signed the Grateful Dead,” he proudly boasted in a 1999 interview with The Associated Press.
Clive Davis signs Sean Didi Combs
He also signed a label deal with then-up-and-coming producer Sean “Diddy” Combs on his Bad Boy Records label. Under Davis’ leadership, the label enjoyed some of its greatest successes, most notably with the late rap icon “Notorious BIG.” Long before hip-hop mogul Diddy was incarcerated for violating the federal Mann Act, which prohibits transporting anyone across state lines for any sex crime.
An executive who built a lifelong career
Davis doesn’t just look at finding new talent, he also knows how to make veterans still relevant decades after they first took a hit. Aretha Franklin’s legacy was created at Atlantic Records and flourished at Arista in her later years, as did Luther Vandross, who produced her final album for Davis’s other label, J Records.Davis conceived the 1999 album Supernatural, which paired guitar god Santana with some of today’s hottest talents. The record tied records, won eight Grammy Awards, and brought Santana a level of success he had never experienced in his decades-long career.And he also has middle-aged celebrities Rod Stewart Swapping his rock hits for standards from the “Great American Songbook.” Released in 2003, the album sold millions and was extremely successful, spawning four albums in total.He and producer David Foster had a bitter dispute over a cover of the biggest hit in Houston history, Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” Davis won the battle and the song was published with its signature a cappella intro.Manilow vehemently objected to the recording of “I Write the Songs,” noting that he didn’t even write the song, a Bruce Johnston ballad that became a signature hit for Manilow, who had similar success mining music from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.“He’s very good at picking ideas that he thinks the public will agree with,” Manilow marvels. He had been working with Davis since Davis was an up-and-coming singer at Columbia Records.
But it’s not an absolutely correct number
Davis has had his share of struggles. Although he became president of Columbia Records in 1967 after joining as a lawyer in 1960, by 1973 he left with bitter consequences. The label accused him of mismanaging funds and he was fired. Although Davis said he was later exonerated, that was not the end of his problems; he was later charged with tax evasion, pleaded guilty to one count, and was fined $10,000.Davis would claim victory, however: He said Columbia gave him the money to start Arista to resolve the dispute, and the label would become a huge success, attracting artists such as country superstars Brooks & Dunn, funky R&B band TLC, Babyface, Houston, Franklin and more.The label enjoyed great success with their debut, Milli Vanilli. But after the male pop duo won a Grammy, it was revealed that they had not actually performed on their own songs (Davis blamed the failure on the label’s European division, which he said had signed them; the band was later stripped of the Grammy for Best New Artist).In 1999, as Arista celebrated its 25th anniversary, Davis faced another crisis: The brand’s then-parent company, BMG Entertainment, a subsidiary of German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, wanted him to retire; most of the company’s top executives had been fired by the time Davis was in his 60s.In 2000, despite the support of his superstar roster, the company ousted him and replaced him with producer and songwriter Antonio “LA” Reed, who later became president of Island/Def Jam.
Still, Davis’s successes have been many
Rather than sever ties with Davis, however, BMG helped him launch J Records, which BMG calls the largest record label startup of all time. Vandross was one of his original artists, along with such forgettable bands as boy band O-Town.However, J Records was a success from the start, and his status only grew with the arrival of a young singer named Keys. Keys is a piano-playing singer-songwriter with powerful horns and dramatic R&B songs. Keys has sold millions of albums and won multiple Grammy Awards.Davis’ influence became even greater when he was hired by BMG America.He became a key supporter of the “American Idol” winner’s career, guiding many albums to platinum status. The show’s association with Sony BMG is made possible through an agreement between Davis and 19 Recordings Unlimited, the label managed by Idol creator Simon Fuller.However, in 2007, Davis disagreed with Clarkson’s direction on My December and publicly criticized him. The album flopped and she later apologized.In 2008, Sony BMG succeeded Davis as chairman and CEO of BMG Records Group and gave him the title of chief creative officer.He served as global chief creative officer of Sony Music Entertainment until his death.
A personal life full of love
In his memoir, Davis confirmed long-standing rumors that he was bisexual and had been living with a man in recent years.“Do I think I would be equally attracted to a woman?” Davis wrote. “The answer is yes.”He is survived by four children, sons Fred, Doug and Mitchell, daughter Lauren, eight grandchildren Austin, Charlie, Matthew, Haley, Harper, Sloan, Billie and Cody, two great-grandchildren, cousin Joe Shuman and partner Greg Schriever.His family released a loving statement Monday.“Throughout every chapter of Clive’s extraordinary life, family has always been Clive’s greatest pride and deepest joy. Today we honor not only the man whose influence changed music forever, but also the man who led our family with grace, generosity and kindness. We will miss him deeply, cherish him forever, and carry his love with us throughout our lives.”
