Clive Davis, who signed Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen, dies at 94
Clive Davis, a music executive who signed Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel and countless others, has died at age 94.His representative said that he “passed away peacefully from age-related illness … surrounded by his family and loved ones,” according to Rolling Stone.In May, Davis was hospitalized in New York City for an upper respiratory issue. He was released a few days later, and a representative said he was “in good spirits and happy to be recuperating at home.”From 1967 to 1973, Davis was the president of Columbia Records. After founding Arista Records, he was president of the label from 1974 through 2000 until founding J Records.Throughout his career, Davis signed a laundry list of musical icons, including Pink Floyd, Alicia Keys, Janis Joplin, Chicago, Aerosmith, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Loggins and Messina, Ace of Base and Olivia Longott. He’s credited with launching the career of Whitney Houston at Arista Records.Born in 1932 in Brooklyn, Davis attended New York University and later received a full scholarship to Harvard Law School, graduating in 1956. He began practicing law at a small firm in New York City and was later hired by Columbia Records as his career in music took off. Davis was married and divorced twice and had four children and eight grandchildren. In 2013, at age 80, Davis came out as bisexual in his autobiography, telling Rolling Stone, “After my second marriage failed … I just found that I would open myself up to the possibility of a relationship based on the person and not on gender.”Davis won five Grammy Awards across his career and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer in 2000.
Clive Davis, a music executive who signed Bruce Springsteen, Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel and countless others, has died at age 94.
His representative said that he “passed away peacefully from age-related illness … surrounded by his family and loved ones,” according to Rolling Stone.
In May, Davis was hospitalized in New York City for an upper respiratory issue. He was released a few days later, and a representative said he was “in good spirits and happy to be recuperating at home.”
From 1967 to 1973, Davis was the president of Columbia Records. After founding Arista Records, he was president of the label from 1974 through 2000 until founding J Records.
Throughout his career, Davis signed a laundry list of musical icons, including Pink Floyd, Alicia Keys, Janis Joplin, Chicago, Aerosmith, Blood, Sweat & Tears, Loggins and Messina, Ace of Base and Olivia Longott. He’s credited with launching the career of Whitney Houston at Arista Records.
Born in 1932 in Brooklyn, Davis attended New York University and later received a full scholarship to Harvard Law School, graduating in 1956. He began practicing law at a small firm in New York City and was later hired by Columbia Records as his career in music took off.
Davis was married and divorced twice and had four children and eight grandchildren.
In 2013, at age 80, Davis came out as bisexual in his autobiography, telling Rolling Stone, “After my second marriage failed … I just found that I would open myself up to the possibility of a relationship based on the person and not on gender.”
Davis won five Grammy Awards across his career and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer in 2000.
