Legendary Music Executive Clive Davis Dies

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

Clive Davis, the visionary music executive whose instincts reshaped popular music and launched some of the most influential artists of the last six decades, died Monday at his home in New York City at 94, his family said.

Posted by lamplighter at 09:33 PM | 6 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Clive Davis joined me on our SiriusXM show a few times. He had incredible stories about working with literally everyone, spoke fearlessly about his sexuality, and was always a total gentleman.

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-- John Fugelsang (@johnfugelsang.bsky.social) 3:03 PM Â· Jun 22, 2026

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More from the article ...

... Rising from a junior legal role at Columbia Records to become one of the industry's most enduring power brokers, Davis discovered and championed artists who defined entire eras -- from rock's explosion in the late '60s to the popR&B dominance of the '80s and '90s -- leaving a legacy unmatched in modern music history. ...

List of Artists Discovered by Clive Davis

Over the course of more than six decades across Columbia, Arista and J Records, Davis shaped the careers of some of the most celebrated names in music history.

Below is a partial list of artists he discovered, signed or developed:

Janis Joplin
Blood, Sweat & Tears
Santana
Billy Joel
Bruce Springsteen
Aerosmith
Whitney Houston
Alicia Keys
Jennifer Hudson
Barry Manilow
Dionne Warwick
Aretha Franklin
Rod Stewart
Lou Reed
Patti Smith
The Kinks
Melissa Manchester
Gil Scott-Heron

Who Was Clive Davis? ...

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-06-22 06:14 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

RIP.

#2 | Posted by Dbt2 at 2026-06-22 06:54 PM | Reply

@#2

R.I.P. indeed.

So much great music.

#3 | Posted by LampLighter at 2026-06-23 12:02 AM | Reply

Barry Manilow and Gil Scott-Heron? That is some range.

"I write the songs that won't be televised during the revolution."

#4 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-06-23 03:37 AM | Reply

Last of the great record men. Mo Ostin, Ahmet Ertegun ... and Clive. They loved MUSIC, found unique and creative new artists, and would stick with them until they hit, not drop them after the first album didn't meet expectations.

These were the guys responsible for unique and timeless music from the 60's and 70's, full of unique artists who you recognized when you heard them.

The corporate consolidation of the music industry, and resulting "no hit 1st record, no more record deal" mentality led to A&R execs taking fewer chances, and new artists with one chance to hit rather than nurturing acts guys like Clive and others believed in until they did hit.

#5 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2026-06-24 02:19 AM | Reply

PS - Clive's the guy behind everyone from Whitney Houston to Santana and a wealth of other timeless artists in the list Lamplighter posted in #1.

#6 | Posted by AMERICANUNITY at 2026-06-24 02:21 AM | Reply