Key facts
- Clive Davis, a highly influential music executive, died at age 94.
- He was known for discovering and mentoring artists like Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, and Billy Joel.
- Davis held leadership roles at Columbia Records and founded Arista Records.
- He was recently hospitalized with respiratory issues before his death.
- His career spanned decades, working with major labels and earning multiple Grammy Awards.
Clive Davis, one of the most influential music executives in rock and pop history, has died at the age of 94. His family confirmed his death, stating he had recently been hospitalized with respiratory problems and was recovering at home in Manhattan.
Davis, a former head of Columbia and Arista Records, was instrumental in shaping the careers of numerous iconic artists, including Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, Santana, and Janis Joplin. Born in Brooklyn on April 4, 1932, he graduated from Harvard Law School and entered the music industry at Columbia Records at age 28, educating himself on copyright law and contracts.
He rose to become vice president and then president of Columbia Records, signing acts like Santana, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd, and Springsteen. After being fired from CBS in 1973, he founded Arista Records in 1974. Davis spent two years meticulously crafting Whitney Houston's debut album, which spawned three number-one singles and sold over 25 million copies globally. He also guided Carlos Santana to a late-career resurgence with the Grammy-winning 'Supernatural' album.
Throughout his career, Davis worked with labels including Columbia, Arista, RCA, Sony, and J Records. His contributions earned him five Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer in 2000. He believed music was a fundamental human need, essential for life's enjoyment, regardless of technological changes.