Clive Davis, a record company lawyer who became one of the most influential people in the music industry, launching or resurrecting the careers of artists like Janis Joplin, Whitney HoustonCarlos Santana is Alicia Keysdied, his family confirmed. He was 94 years old.His death, in his Manhattan home, was confirmed by his publicist Aliza Rabinoff, who also shared a statement from his family.
The family of Clive Davis has announced that he has passed away
“To the world, our father was a legendary legend of music whose vision, instinct, and constant pursuit of excellence created the music of countless lives. He discovered, mentored, and inspired the greatest artists in the modern history of music, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for all generations,” the statement said.Earlier this year, Davis was hospitalized following an upper respiratory infection and released a few days later.Unlike other moguls whose influence waned as they got older, Davis’ could seem to grow, incorporating multiple genres and characters. In his later years, he was directing the careers of everyone from Barry Manilow to “American Idol” winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. And its only Pre-Grammys gala, held the Saturday night before Sunday’s awards every year since 1975, has continued to be an institution.
Celebs are mourning the death of Clive Davis
“Clive’s talent has always been to see and hear what other people don’t,” former President Barack Obama said in a video message played at this year’s ceremony.Carlos Santana said in his statement: “Clive Davis was a visionary. He could hear things that no one else could see. He believed in Santana from the beginning, and years later he believed in us. Clive knew that music was fun. Music is a healing force. It brings people together fearlessly, beyond separation, beyond borders. He dedicated his life to artists and helped them share their gifts with the world. “He went on to say, “Clive recognized the light of humanity. He inspired artists to believe in their voice and step into their destiny. Thanks to his vision, countless musicians were able to reach hearts around the world.”Alicia Keys paid tribute to Clive Davis saying, “To Clive Davis, a visionary who turned dreams into reality, left an indelible mark on music and lived on the world.”Michael Bublé wrote on Instagram, “Heartbroken to hear of the death of Clive Davis. Clive was more than just a music legend, he was a champion of artists and a man who believed in people and their dreams. Eternal gratitude for his guidance, his generosity, and the opportunity he gave to so many of us.”Paul Stanley wrote in a tweet, “The world of music and all who have loved music for six decades have lost a visionary and a master of many artists in many genres. One of the greatest talents.”Barry Manilow also tweeted, “My heart is heavy with the death of my friend Clive Davis. For fifty years we worked together, we created together, we argued together, we celebrated together. Yes, some would say it was business. But for Clive, it was not. It was a family. And I was honored to be a part of it. “
History of Brooklyn
Clive Jay 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 a traveling salesman. He attended New York University and then Harvard Law School, eventually landing a job as an in-house attorney at Columbia Records.Davis always had business acumen, and by 1967, he became the company’s president, just seven years after being hired as a lawyer. He cited going to the Monterey International Pop Festival that year as a highlight; in the end it led him to bring Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Neil Diamond and many other groups on the record – bringing a spirit of opposition to the company that rejected rock ‘n’ roll.Davis made significant changes in the music industry, particularly in supporting black artists, since signing Gamble and Huff’s Philadelphia International Records in 1971.In 2015, the NAACP recognized Davis for his outstanding work by presenting him with the Vanguard Award. And last summer, Davis was presented with the Apollo Theater’s Apollo Legacy Award and inducted on its Walk of Fame.
Clive Davis success stories
Her success stories were amazing, with Houston’s greatest success and a terrible tragedy: Davis signed her to his Arista label as a teenager and turned her into an American princess. Houston racked up multiple No. 1 singles. 1 and went on to become one of the best-selling artists in pop history before his drug addiction. He died in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2012, hours before appearing at the annual Pre-Grammy Awards hosted by Davis, who was determined to change his life.“Maybe I should have been a skeptic,” Davis wrote in his 2013 book, The Soundtrack of My Life, “but I’ve been an optimist, and I’ve been an optimist. It felt like the past. “He also launched a multi-platinum, multi-Grammy-winning career – and was quick to recognize other artists he signed, including Joplin and Billy Joel, Blood Sweat & Tears and other “regulars,” as he often says.“I signed Patti Smith, the great woman of the Renaissance … I signed Lou Reed … I signed the Grateful Dead,” he boasted in a 1999 interview with The Associated Press.
Clive Davis signs Sean Diddy Combs
They also signed up-and-coming Sean “Diddy” Combs to a deal with Bad Boy Records. Under Davis, the label would have some of its biggest successes, especially with the late rap label Notorious BIG. It was already that hip-hop mogul Diddy was imprisoned, convicted of violating the federal Mann Act, which prohibits transporting people across state lines for any sex crime.
The exec who created the careers of a lifetime
Davis doesn’t just look for new talent – he also knows how to keep his veterans, years after their first hit. Aretha Franklin, whose legend was made at Atlantic Records, flourished in her later years at Arista, as did Luther Vandross, who made his last albums on Davis’s label, J Records.It was Davis who produced the 1999 album “Supernatural,” which featured guitar god Santana and some of the hottest talents of the day. The record won a record eight Grammys and gave Santana more success than she had ever enjoyed in her decades-long career.And he had a middle-aged star Rod Stewart selling his best known songs from “The Great American Songbook.” The album, which was released in 2003, sold millions of copies and was so successful that it spawned four titles in total.She and producer David Foster fought hard over the preparation of Houston’s all-time hit, a cover of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” Davis won the battle – and the song was sealed with her famous a capella vocals.And Manilow vehemently denied recording “I Write the Songs,” saying he didn’t even write the song, a Bruce Johnston ballad that became a signature of Manilow, who would go on to have similar success in the latter days of the 1950s, 60s and 70s.“He’s smart about picking ideas that he thinks people will connect with,” laments Manilow, who has worked with Davis since he was a young singer at Columbia Records.
But not an infallible number
Davis also had his share of problems. Although he became president of Columbia Records in 1967 after joining in 1960 as a lawyer, by 1973 he had disappeared due to depression. The letter accused him of poor financial management and he was fired. Although Davis says that he was later cleared, it was not the end of his troubles; He was later charged with tax evasion, pleaded guilty to one count and had to pay a $10,000 fine.However, Davis can declare victory: It is said that Columbia gave him money to start Arista to end the conflict, and the label will be very successful with artists like Brooks & Dunn, Sassy R&B group TLC, Babyface, Houston, Franklin and others.The brand did a great job with the action – Milli Vanilli. But the two men of pop would be ashamed of the industry when, after winning the Grammy, it was revealed that they were not really singing their songs (Davis blamed the debacle on the label European division, which he said had signed them; the group was then deprived of a good new artist Grammy).In 1999, as Arista celebrated its 25th anniversary, Davis faced another challenge: The parent company at the time, BMG Entertainment, part of the German media conglomerate Bertelsmann, wanted him to retire; Most of his managers were in their 60s, and Davis was in his 60s.In 2000, despite the support of his top artists, the company fired him in favor of artist and songwriter Antonio “LA” Reid, who later became chairman of Island/Def Jam.
However, Davis’ success was overwhelming
However, instead of ending his relationship with Davis, BMG helped him establish J Records in what BMG described as the largest record company ever created. Vandross was one of his first artists, along with forgettable acts like the boy band O-Town.J Records was successful from the start, and it only got bigger with the arrival of a young singer named Keys, a pianist-songwriter with powerful pipes and catchy R&B. Keys’ albums have gone on to sell millions and win multiple Grammys.His influence grew even more when Davis was assigned to BMG’s US division.He became a major contributor to the careers of the “American Idol” winners, leading many of their albums to go platinum. The show’s link to Sony BMG came through a deal between Davis and 19 Recordings Unlimited, a label run by “Idol” producer Simon Fuller.However, in 2007, Davis disagreed with Clarkson’s direction of “My December,” and publicly criticized her. The album was unheard of, and he later apologized.In 2008, Sony BMG replaced Davis as chairman and CEO of the BMG label group, giving him the title of Chief Creative Officer.He served as the global head of Sony Music Entertainment until his death.
A life filled with love
In her books, Davis confirmed long-standing rumors that she was gay and had been living with a man in recent years.“Do I feel that I would be equally attracted to a woman?” Davis wrote. “The answer is yes.”She is survived by her four children, sons Fred, Doug and Mitchell, daughter Lauren, and eight grandchildren Austin, Charlie, Matthew, Hayley, Harper, Sloane, Billie and Cody, two great grandchildren, cousin Jo Schuman and friend Greg Schriefer.His family shared a message of love on Monday.“Through every chapter of his extraordinary life, the family remained Clive’s greatest pride and deepest joy. Today, we celebrate not only a great man whose influence changed music forever, but a man who led our family with grace, generosity, and kindness. We will miss him greatly, appreciate him always, and carry his love with us for the rest of our lives.”