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Music industry giant Clive Davis, who signed Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston, dead at 94
Clive Davis, one of the most influential people in the music industry and the record executive who helped bring Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin into the spotlight, has died at the age of 94.
His family confirmed his death Monday on social media, saying his "vision, instincts and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives." "He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations," reads a post on Davis's official Facebook page.
Unlike other record moguls whose influence waned as they got older, Davis's might only seemed to grow over his career, which spanned more than five decades, various genres and multiple labels. Into his 80s, he was directing the careers of everyone from Barry Manilow to American Idol winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.
Clive Davis, the record executive who helped launch Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston and Aretha Franklin, has died at 94.
His success stories were staggering, with Houston a crowning achievement — and devastating tragedy. Davis signed her to his Arista record label when she was just a teen and turned her into America's reigning pop princess. She died in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2012 just hours before she was to appear at the annual pre-Grammy Awards gala hosted by Davis.
"I signed Patti Smith, the great Renaissance woman ... I signed Lou Reed ... I signed the Grateful Dead," he proudly touted in an interview with The Associated Press in 1999. But Davis didn't simply have an eye for new talent — he also knew how to keep veterans relevant decades after their first hit.
Davis was responsible for conceiving the 1999 album Supernatural, which paired guitar god Santana with some of the day's hottest talents. It went on to win a record-tying eight Grammys, and gave Santana more success than he had ever enjoyed in his decades-long career.
He signed Canadian R&B star Deborah Cox to Arista Records in 1994, under which her self-titled debut reached platinum status in Canada. His Arista Records also distributed several of Sarah McLachlan's albums in the U.S. and globally, including her 1997 album Surfacing.
Canadian music superstars Shania Twain and Avril Lavigne were regular attendees at Davis's famed pre-Grammy galas.
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