Clive Davis, a record company lawyer who became one of the most powerful figures in the music industry, launching or resurrecting the careers of superstars such as Janis Joplin, Whitney HoustonCarlos Santana and Alicia KeysDied, his family confirmed. He was 94.His death at his Manhattan apartment was confirmed by his publicist Aliza Rabinoff, who also shared a statement from his family.
The family of Clive Davis has announced his death
“To the world, our father was an iconic music legend whose vision, passion and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives. He discovered, mentored and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will last for generations.”Earlier this year, Davis was hospitalized for upper respiratory problems and was released a few days later.Unlike other record moguls whose influence has waned with age, Davis can only seem to grow, spanning multiple genres and labels. In her later years, she managed the careers of everyone from Barry Manilow to “American Idol” winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. And his exclusive pre-Grammys gala, held every year since 1975 on the Saturday night before Sunday’s awards show, has continued to be an institution.
Celebrities mourn the death of Clive Davis
“Clive’s talent has always seen and heard what others don’t,” former President Barack Obama said in a video message played at this year’s festival.Carlos Santana said in a statement, “Clive Davis was a visionary. He could hear the intangibles before anyone else could. He believed in Santana from the beginning, and years later he believed in us again. That kind of faith is a beautiful blessing, and I will always be grateful.” Clive understood that music was more than entertainment. Music is a healing force. It unites people beyond fear, isolation, borders. He dedicated his life to championing 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 believe in their own voice and step into their destiny. Because of his vision, countless musicians were able to reach hearts across the planet.”Alicia Keys paid tribute to Clive Davis, saying, “Clive Davis, the visionary who turned dreams into reality, left an indelible mark on music and living around the world.”Michael Bublé wrote on Instagram, “Heartbroken to hear of Clive Davis’ passing. Clive was not only a music legend, he was an artist and someone 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 wrote in a tweet, “The music world and those who have loved music for 6 decades have lost a visionary and champion of so many artists in so many genres. One of a kind genius.Barry Manilow also tweeted, “My heart is heavy with the loss of my friend Clive Davis. For fifty years we worked together, created together, argued together and celebrated together. Yes, some would say it was business. But Clive never had it.” It was family. And I was honored to be a part of it.”
A Brooklyn background
Clive J. Davis was born on April 4, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York, where he grew up in the Crown Heights neighborhood. His father was an electrician and traveling salesman. He attended New York University and then Harvard Law School, eventually landing a job as an in-house lawyer at Columbia Records.Davis always had a knack for business, and by 1967, just seven years after being hired as an attorney, was president of the company. He cites attending the Monterey International Pop Festival that year as pivotal; This eventually led him to bring Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Neil Diamond and many other groups to the label – bringing a cultured attitude to a company resisting rock ‘n’ roll.Davis revolutionized the music industry, particularly with his support for black artists, when he signed to Gamble and Hough’s Philadelphia International Records in 1971.In 2015, the NAACP recognized Davis for her groundbreaking work with the Vanguard Award. And last summer, Davis was given the Apollo Theater’s Apollo Legacy Award and inducted into its Walk of Fame.
The success story of Clive Davis
Houston’s success stories were staggering, with a crowning achievement and devastating tragedy: Davis signed her to his Arista record label when she was a teenager and turned her into America’s reigning pop princess. Houston racked up multiple No. 1 hits and became one of the top-selling artists in pop history before drug abuse derailed her career. He died in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2012, hours before appearing at the annual pre-Grammy Awards ceremony hosted by Davis, who was convinced he was turning his life around.“Maybe I should have been more skeptical,” Davis wrote in her 2013 memoir, “The Soundtrack of My Life,” “but I’ve always been optimistic and I feel optimistic. It felt like old times.”He also launched the career of multi-platinum, multiple-Grammy-winning Keys – and was quick to note the other talent he signed, including Joplin and Billy Joel, Blood Sweat & Tears and other “all-timers,” as he often put it.“I signed Patti Smith, the great Renaissance woman… I signed Lou Reed… I signed the Grateful Dead,” he boasted in a 1999 interview with The Associated Press.
Clive Davies sign DD Combs
He also signed then-up-and-coming producer Sean “Diddy” Combs to a label deal with his Bad Boy Records. Under Davis, the label would have some major successes, notably the late rap icon Notorious BIG long before hip-hop mogul Diddy was sent to prison, convicted of violating the federal Standards Act, which prohibits transporting people across state lines for any sex crimes.
An executive who built a lifelong career
Davis didn’t just have an eye for new talent — he also knew how to keep relevant ones relevant, decades after their first hit. Aretha Franklin, whose legend was built on Atlantic Records, flourished at Arista in her later years, as did Luther Vandross, who produced his last album for another Davis label, Jay Records.It was Davis who conceived the 1999 album “Supernatural,” which paired guitar god Santana with some of the hottest talents of the day. The record won eight Grammys and gave Santana more success than she had in her decade-long career.And he was a middle-aged star Rod Stewart Trade in his rock hits for standards from “The Great American Songbook.” The album, released in 2003, sold millions and was so successful that it spawned a total of four titles.She and producer David Foster fought bitterly over the arrangement of a cover of Houston’s all-time hit, Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” Davis won that battle — and the song was released with its iconic a cappella intro.And Manilow strongly objected to recording “I Write the Song”, noting that he did not write the song, a Bruce Johnston ballad that became a signature hit for Manilow, who would go on to find similar success in the music of the 1950s, ’60s and ’70s.“He’s just brilliant at picking ideas he thinks will connect with the public,” says Rev. Manilow, who worked with Davis since he was a budding singer at Columbia Records.
But not an absolute picture
Davis also had his struggles. Although he became president of Columbia Records in 1967 after joining the label as a lawyer in 1960, by 1973 he had gone into a bitter decline. The label accused him of mismanaging funds and he was fired. Although Davis says he was later cleared, that wasn’t the end of his troubles; He was later charged with tax evasion, pleaded guilty to one count, and was fined $10,000.However, Davis will declare victory: He says that Columbia paid him to start Arista to settle the dispute, and that the label would become a huge success with artists such as country superstars Brooks & Dunn, sassy R&B group TLC, Babyface, Houston, Franklin and others.The label had a huge success with a debut – Milli Vanilli. But the male pop duo would become an industry embarrassment when, after winning a Grammy, it was revealed that they weren’t actually singing their songs (Davis blamed the disaster on the label’s European division, which he said had signed them; the group was later stripped of its Best New Artist Grammy).In 1999, as Arista was celebrating its 25th anniversary, Davis faced another crisis: the label’s then parent company, BMG Entertainment, a division of German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, wanted him out; Most of its executives were dropped by the 60s, and Davis was in his mid-60s.In 2000, despite the support of his superstar roster, the company ousted him in favor of producer and songwriter Antonio “LA” Reid, who later became chairman of Island/Def Jam.
Still, Davis had many successes
However, instead of severing ties with Davis, BMG helped him launch Jay Records, which BMG described as the largest record company startup ever created. Vandross was his primary artist alongside forgettable acts like the boy band O-Town.Jay Records was a success from the start, and only got bigger with the arrival of a young singer named Kiss, a piano-playing singer-songwriter with powerful pipes and dramatic R&B lyrics. Key’s albums would sell millions and win several Grammys.When Davis was tapped for the US division of BMG, his influence grew.He became a major supporter of the “American Idol” winners’ careers, guiding many albums to platinum status. The show’s link to Sony BMG comes through a deal between Davis and 19 Recordings Unlimited, the label run by “Idol” creator Simon Fuller.In 2007, however, Davis disagreed with Clarkson’s direction of “My December” and publicly criticized her. The album was a flop, and he later apologized.In 2008, Sony BMG replaced Davis as chairman and chief executive officer of BMG Label Group, giving him the title of chief creative officer.Until his death, he served as the global chief creative officer of Sony Music Entertainment.
Personal life full of love
In her memoir, Davis confirmed long-held rumors that she was bisexual and had been living with a man in recent years.“Do I think I could be attracted to a woman in the same way?” Davis wrote. “The answer is yes.”She is survived by her four children, sons Fred, Doug and Mitchell, daughter Lauren and her eight grandchildren Austin, Charlie, Matthew, Hailey, Harper, Sloane, Billy and Cody, two great-grandsons, cousin Joe Schumann and partner Greg Schriefer.Her family shared a loving statement on Monday.“Through every chapter of his remarkable life, family remained Clive’s greatest pride and deepest joy. Today, we celebrate not only a towering figure whose influence changed music forever, but a man who led our family with grace, generosity and kindness. We will miss him dearly, cherish him always and carry his love for the rest of our lives.”
