Legendary music mogul Clive Davis, who launched the careers of Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen, has died at the age of 94.
Davis’s family members told Sky News’ US partner NBC News that the former Columbia Records president died on Monday in his Manhattan apartment.
Earlier this year, Davis was hospitalised after suffering an upper respiratory issue. He was released a few days later.
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Davis at the 2024 pre-GRAMMY gala. Pic: Reuters
Davis’s family said the music producer had made an “indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations” in a statement shared on his social media.
“To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives,” they said.
“He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations.”
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Davis rose from being a record company lawyer to one of the music industry’s most powerful figures.
He came to be known as “the man with the golden ear” because of his ability to identify potential hit songs.
One of his crowning achievements was launching Houston’s career when he signed her to his Arista record label when she was a teenager.
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Houston and Davis in 1998. Pic: Reuters
She became one of the best-selling artists in pop history.
After struggling with drug abuse, Houston died in 2012 just hours before she was due to appear at an annual pre-Grammy Awards party hosted by Davis.
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Keys, Davis and Houston at the Clive Davis pre-Grammy party in 2008. Pic: Reuters
The mogul also launched the career of multiple Grammy winner Alicia Keys, as well as signing Patti Smith, Springsteen and Lou Reed.
Keys said in a tribute shared on Instagram that Davis was a “visionary who transformed dreams into reality, leaving an indelible mark on music and lives worldwide”.
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Keys’s tribute to Davis. Pic: Instagram
In a post on Instagram, Springsteen said: “At 22 years old, he changed my life when he signed me to Columbia Records.
“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.”
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Smith also paid tribute to Davis on social media: “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,” she said.
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Davis’s family said the “towering figure whose influence changed music forever” was also a committed family man.
“To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love,” they said.
“No matter how extraordinary his professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved.”
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Carlos Santana and Clive Davis with the eight Grammy Awards Santana won at the 42nd annual Grammy. Pic: Reuters
They added: “Through every chapter of his remarkable life, family remained Clive’s greatest pride and deepest joy.
“Today, we celebrate not only a towering figure whose influence changed music forever, but the man who led our family with grace, generosity, and kindness.
“We will miss him greatly, cherish him always, and carry his love with us for the rest of our lives.”
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Keys and Davis in 2004. Pic:
He won four Grammys for producing albums by Kelly Clarkson, Carlos Santana and Jennifer Hudson.
Davis is survived by his four children, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and his partner Greg Schriefer.