Clive Davis, 1932 – 2026

Music impresario Clive Davis, 94, died on June 22. The president of Columbia Records from 1967-73, Davis also founded Arista Records, and headed RCA Music Group, J Records, and BMG North America. He discovered, nurtured, and produced such talents as Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, Tony Orlando, Pink Floyd, Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and Loggins and Messina, among many others. He told writer Laurie Erlam that his career in music began “when I saw Janis Joplin and Big Brother perform at the Monterey Music Festival in 1967. Monterey will always be the epiphany moment for me because although I was head of the company, I had no idea that I had ears, whether it be for artist discovery or songs — it never occurred to me that I might have it. And here I was in the midst of a social musical and cultural revolution and you’re just dazzled by it. I was just blown away by this band.”