Clive Davis, the influential US music industry executive and record producer, has died at the age of 94. His family confirmed he died on Monday after recently being hospitalized with respiratory problems and recovering at home. Davis, who said he never tired of the music business, was a towering figure who shaped modern music.
Davis rose from a midlevel position at Columbia Records to become one of the most powerful executives in the industry, serving as president of Columbia and founding Arista Records. He helped build Columbia into one of the world's biggest labels for rock music, and his contributions led to his induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Throughout his career, Davis launched or resurrected the careers of numerous superstars. He guided Whitney Houston to stardom and helped bring Bruce Springsteen and Aretha Franklin into the spotlight. He also worked with and revived the careers of Carlos Santana, Rod Stewart, and Janis Joplin, while shepherding other stars including Barry Manilow, Alicia Keys, Billy Joel, Pink Floyd, and Aerosmith.
The Davis family described him as a man who led his family with grace, generosity, and kindness. Bruce Springsteen praised Davis, noting that the executive treated him with the same respect and kindness as a 22-year-old nobody as he did after all his success.