Clive Davis, giant in music world,died at 94 . Family said he passed at home in Manhattan after being hospitalized for respiratory issues.
As head of Columbia and Arista Records,Davis launched careers of legends like Whitney Houston,Bruce Springsteen,Aerosmith,Aretha Franklin. Family called him a visionary who shaped music's landscape, leaving an indelible mark.
Born April 4, 1932,in Brooklyn,Davis grew up in Crown Heights. Graduated from Harvard Law School,he entered music industry at 28,without experience. Took night classes on copyright law,contracts. Legal skills crucial when he handled federal antitrust lawsuit against Columbia's mail-order club and kept Bob Dylan with label after contract spat.
By 1965,Davis rose to vice president,then president of Columbia. Revitalized label by signing Pink Floyd, Santana, Janis Joplin. Once said, "I didn't necessarily have an ear, but I think I developed one." Not all decisions smooth; advised Simon and Garfunkel to release "Bridge Over Troubled Water" over "Cecilia".
In early 70s,Davis guided Springsteen,who'd just joined Columbia for $25,000. Watched Springsteen perform,told him to move more on stage. Springsteen listened,turned his act into a dynamic show.
Faced hurdles too. Ousted from Columbia over fund misuse claims,pleaded guilty to tax evasion . But bounced back,founding Arista Records. Found quick success with Barry Manilow and Patti Smith's debut Horses.
Davis's landmark moment came signing Houston at 19. Spent years finding right producers,songwriters. Her debut album in 1985 boasted three number one hits,sold 25 million globally. Insisted on 40-second a cappella start for "I Will Always Love You" — risky move that paid off big.
Career thrived with Carlos Santana's Supernatural,winning Grammy for album of year. Worked with RCA,Sony,won five Grammys,entered Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 2000.
In 2016 interview,he spoke on music's lasting power,said it stays vital despite tech changes. "Music is a necessary ingredient in people's lives," he noted. How will his absence reshape industry…
