Clive Davis, the legendary music executive who discovered Bruce Springsteen and founded Arista Records and J Records, has died at the age of 94. He passed away at his home in New York City on Monday, June 22, according to reports in Rolling Stone. His death was confirmed by his representative Aliza Rabinoff, who stated that Davis "passed away peacefully from age-related illness ... surrounded by his family and loved ones."
Health Struggles in Recent Years
Davis had faced several health issues in recent years, including being hospitalized in May due to an upper respiratory issue. In 2021, he was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy, as reported by the Mirror.
A Legacy of Discovering Icons
Beyond Springsteen, Davis helped shape the careers of numerous music icons, including Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, and Carrie Underwood. His impact on the music industry was profound, with many artists crediting him for their success.
Tributes Pour In
Songwriter Diane Warren paid tribute to Davis in a touching Instagram post: "Dear Clive, losing You today feels like losing my father. Because you were always family to me. It was my Dad who believed in me in the very beginning, it was you who never stopped believing in me. By having so many of your artists record my songs, even the ones who didn't want to. And there were a few of those. I loved to play You songs and watch the look on your face when a song moved You. You really loved songs. You didn't look at f***ing numbers and data, the only data that mattered to You was how it made you feel. Countless artists and songwriters owe everything to You. I am one of them."
Producer and record executive Jimmy Iovine previously told The Los Angeles Times in 1996: "What I learned from Clive is that the only thing that matters at the end of the day when you're making a record is the three and a half minutes of magic. Everyone says they keep the music first, but from my experience, Clive is one of the few who truly practices this."
