Obit - Clive Davis
FILE - Record mogul Clive Davis is pictured in his New York office, Sept. 10, 1980.
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Clive Davis, who rose from a job as a record company lawyer to become one of the music industry’s most powerful figures, has died at the age of 94. Davis launched or resurrected the careers of countless superstars, including Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana and Alicia Keys. Unlike other record moguls whose influence waned as they got older, his might only seemed to grow over the decades in a career that spanned multiple genres and labels. Davis also signed up Billy Joel, Blood Sweat & Tears, Patti Smith, the Grateful Dead and “American Idol” winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.
No music executive has ever been so powerful as to become synonymous with the whole of the music industry itself. But if anyone came close, it was Clive Davis. One of the music industry’s most powerful figures, who helped launch or relaunch the careers of countless artists, including Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana and Alicia Keys, has died. His death was announced on Monday. He was 94. The greatest way to celebrate the “man with the golden ears” is to listen to The Associated Press' playlist of the songs he helped bring into the world. They include offerings from the aforementioned artists as well as Bruce Springsteen, Barry Manilow and others.
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