Clive Davis: Artists he helped launch and tributes after his death at 94
Stars across music and beyond are remembering Clive Davis following his death at 94.
The legendary music mogul died on Monday from an age-related illness.
Throughout an illustrious career, the music executive helped shape the careers of iconic stars including Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel.
Springsteen, who was signed by Davis at Columbia Records in 1972 when he was president of the record label, shared a statement on Instagram on Monday about Davis.
"Over here on E Street, we mourn the death of the great record man and close friend Clive Davis," Springsteen wrote. "At 22 years old, he changed my life when he signed me to Columbia Records. He treated me with the same respect and kindness as a 22-year-old nobody as he did after all my success. A great man. All our prayers and love."
When Davis formed Arista Records in 1974, he signed Barry Manilow to his new record label. The "Mandy" artist would go on to sell more than 85 million records worldwide.
Following the news of Davis' death, Manilow took to X where he wrote, "My heart is heavy with the loss of my friend Clive Davis."
"For fifty years we worked together, created together, argued together, and celebrated together," he continued. "Yes, some would say it was business. But to Clive, it never was. It was family. And I was honored to be a part of his. Thank you Clive. I wish we could do it all again."
In the late '60s, Carlos Santana and his band were signed to Columbia Records by Davis. Santana went on to follow Davis to Arista Records where they worked on Santana's album, "Supernatural." The album earned nine awards at the 42nd Grammy Awards.
Santana shared a statement on Monday following Davis' passing and called the music mogul a "visionary."
"He could hear the intangible before anyone else could see it. He believed in Santana from the beginning, and years later he believed in us again," Santana began. "That kind of faith is a beautiful blessing, and I will always be grateful."
Santana noted that that Davis continued "understood that music is more than entertainment."
"Music is a healing force. It brings people together beyond fear, beyond separation, beyond borders. He dedicated his life to championing artists and helping them share their gifts with the world," he wrote. "Clive recognized the light in people. He encouraged artists to trust their own voice and step into their destiny. Because of his vision, countless musicians were able to reach hearts across the planet."
The artist ended his message by thanking Davis for "his friendship, his trust, and his belief in Santana. We celebrate his extraordinary journey and the legacy of joy, inspiration, and possibility that he leaves behind. We send our deepest love and blessings to his family and to all who were touched by his life."
Rob Thomas, who sang the vocals on Santana's hit song, "Smooth," also took to Instagram and shared a tribute for Davis.
"For the last 27 years Clive Davis has been a friend and mentor to me," Thomas wrote. "We started our working relationship when we released Smooth and continued on, with me writing other songs for later Carlos albums performed by artists like Seal, Mary J Blige and Musiq Soulchild. From that point on, every solo album I made, Clive was one of the first people to hear it."
"After 94 years, this loss holds a lot of sadness but more than anything it’s a celebration of an impressive life," he continued. "There are still a lot of good people in the music industry but with him goes the end of an era. Clive, you will be missed but your legacy is immortal."
Davis also signed onto Arista was the Patti Smith Group, after seeing them perform at a club in New York City.
Their friendship would span decades, with Smith also formally inducting Davis into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000.
She shared a tribute for Davis on Instagram, writing in the form of a poem.
"This is / thanking Clive Davis / for transforming music, / and on a very personal / note, for believing in me, / shepherding my efforts / and a half century of / your love and support," she said in her post.
In the late 1990s, Davis signed Alicia Keys. When he left Arista records in August 2000 and founded J Records, he brought her onto the label and she released "Songs in A Minor." The album won five Grammy Awards in 2002. Keys and Davis would work on four more albums together.
Keys took to her Instagram story on Monday following the news of Davis' death and shared a photo of them together.
Other stars who shared tributes include Diane Warren, who wrote on Instagram, "Countless artists and songwriters owe everything to You. I am one of them. Without you I would never have the career I have."
Harry Connick Jr. was among the first to remember Davis on Instagram. He shared a photo with Davis and captioned the post, "so saddened to hear about the death of clive davis... he was a giant in the music industry -- and such a nice man... rest in peace, @clivejdavis".
