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Clive Davis, music industry titan, dies at 94

musicJun 22, 2026592,336

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.

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