Following the music legend's passing at age 94, industry execs are sharing their reactions and condolences.
Ariel King More Stories by Ariel Pacha New York Opens Doors With Rampa, Knicks’ Historic Win & Travis Scott Appearance How ACM Lifting Lives Became An Essential Lifeline to the Country Community View All Share on Facebook Share on X Google Preferred Share to Flipboard Share on Pinterest + additional share options added Share on Reddit Share on LinkedIn Share on Whats App Send an Email Print this article Post a Comment Share on Tumblr Clive Davis speaks during the 67th GRAMMY Awards Pre-GRAMMY Gala & GRAMMY Salute to Industry Icons Honoring Jody Gerson on Feb. 1, 2025, in Los Angeles. Leon Bennett/Getty Images for The Recording Academy Trending on Billboard Following the death of Clive Davis on Monday (June 22) at the age of 94, professionals across the music industry are remembering the legendary executive, who launched the careers of such stars as Whitney Houston , Barry Manilow and Alicia Keys .
Davis’ music business career is the stuff of legend and undoubtedly inspired multiple generations of music industry executives. Known as “The Man With the Golden Ear,” he launched his career as assistant counsel at Columbia Records and was eventually named president of Columbia’s parent company, CBS Records. He later founded his own label, Arista, in 1974, where he went on to sign Manilow, Aretha Franklin, Patti Smith and more. That was followed by J Records in 2000, which launched future stars Alicia Keys and Maroon 5. He was later named chief creative officer at Sony Music Entertainment, a role he held until his death.
See below for all the reactions. We will update this story as more come through.
“I am so sorry to hear of Clive’s passing. We have all lost an extraordinary man the likes of which you will never see again but you have lost a father — a father to us all. It’s impossible to measure his impact on music, culture and life across the globe. He accelerated the growth of the music business like few others and he supported his artists like a man possessed. His focus on songs was unique in a post Beatles world and as a result his emphasis and support of outside songwriters and producers was unparalleled.
“It must also be mentioned that no one could launch an artist the way Clive could and the Clive playbook became the envy for anyone marketing and promoting music. Spotting talent is not difficult, spotting it and knowing what to do is something very very few can do.
“His annual Grammy party was the only one that mattered and as anyone who ever had the privilege of attending can tell you he was also a special orator. Clive is the only person that I know that could introduce 50 superstars in a night with unbelievable dignity and elegance and never use the same adjective twice.”
View this post on Instagram Rob Stringer, chairman of Sony Music Group:
“Clive of course played a seminal role in the story of Sony Music through two incredible chapters, and he is responsible for a huge part of the recorded legacy of the company permanently. Not only are many, many artists we represent continuously indebted to his service but so many staff members have been influenced and mentored by his deep love and respect for our company which he carried right up until today. Our working lives are better for having had his constant presence in the aura and perception of Sony Music.”
Monte Lipman, executive ch…