Clive Davis, the legendary record executive who shaped the careers of everyone from Bruce Springsteen to Whitney Houston, has died at the age of 94. He had recently been in hospital with respiratory problems and was recovering at home in Manhattan, New York, when he died, his family said.
In a statement, his family described him as "the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives." They added: "He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations."
“Clive Davis, who signed Springsteen and Houston, dies at 94 after hospitalisation for respiratory problems.”
Bruce Springsteen was among those paying tribute. In an Instagram post, the Born in the USA singer said he was mourning the death of "the great record man" and a "close friend." "At 22 years old, he changed my life when he signed me to Columbia Records," Springsteen wrote. "He treated me with the same respect and kindness as a 22-year-old nobody as he did after all my success. A great man."
Patti Smith also posted on Instagram: "Thanking Clive Davis for transforming music, and on a very personal note, for believing in me, shepherding my efforts and a half century of your love and support."
Born in Brooklyn on 4 April, 1932, Davis grew up in the Crown Heights neighbourhood. He graduated from Harvard Law School and had no knowledge of the music industry when he took a job at Columbia Records at the age of 28. But he took night classes to educate himself on copyright law, contracts and litigation. That knowledge helped him defeat a federal antitrust suit over Columbia's mail-order record club and successfully persuade Bob Dylan to remain with the label after his original deal became void when the singer turned 21.
Promoted to vice-president in 1965 and soon after to president, Davis signed Santana, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd and Springsteen, giving the label a new lease of life. "I didn't necessarily have an ear, but I think I developed one," he later said. "Whether there was a natural ear that was triggered, I don't know the answer to that. But when you see a Joplin or a Springsteen, you know."
As head of Columbia and later Arista Records, he also worked with Aretha Franklin, Billy Joel, Janis Joplin, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and many others, earning a reputation for deep, trusting relationships with the musicians he represented.