Clive Davis, music industry titan, dies at 94
Clive Davis, the record executive who founded Arista Records and J Records and launched Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys and Bruce Springsteen to stardom, died Monday at his home in New York City at age 94. Across six decades Davis signed or developed artists including Janis Joplin, Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, Carlos Santana, Billy Joel and Neil Diamond. A former corporate lawyer, Davis became known for a "golden ear" for hit songs and for shaping major crossover albums that sold millions worldwide. His death matters because his A&R decisions and label leadership helped determine which artists reached global audiences and shaped the sound of modern American pop and rock.
Local news informs me Clive Davis has passed away at the age of 94, but the cause is unclear. Pretty sure the cause was the age of 94.
We usually just say "natural causes". Which is sort of weird because "natural causes" three thousand years ago meant "got eaten by wolves"
“Slashes Four, Dies in Cocaine Brawl”
Pretty sure he was murdered by a jealous lover
It comes in 3's. Greenspan, Clive and who?
That's more of a run than most can expect
RIP Clive Davis I remember Clive Davis’s blunt honesty after Gerry Goffin and I played new songs for him. “That’s a really good song,” he’d say, “but I don’t hear it as a hit single.” (Continued in comments)
And Clive’s career is replete with examples of him knowing when he did hear a hit single. With gratitude for your many contributions to popular music.
We heard that a lot from Clive, and it’s fair to say that other songwriters of my time who wrote many hit singles heard it too. But I believe that, as tempered steel is forged, his rejections made us better songwriters.
Legendary music executive, Clive Davis who helped launch the careers of numerous musicians, including Bruce Springsteen and Whitney, has died at age 94. He died comfortably at home in Manhattan this morning of an age related illness surrounded by family. www.npr.org/2026/06/22/n...
He became a legend by discovering legends. RIP
RIP Clive. He had an eye for talent!
I read his biography, probably 25-30 years ago, quite interesting
A music icon, to be sure. Joplin, Nyro, Santana, Chicago, Joel, BS&T, Loggins & Messina, Manilow, Franklin, Warwick, EW&F, Keys, Dead, Kinks, Carly Simon, Usher, Pink, Whitney, Vandross, Donovan, Aerosmith, and on and on and on ...
May he rest in peace.