Artists Remember Clive Davis

Music biz titan has died at age 94

June 22, 2026June 22, 2026 Ron Hart 0 Comments Aerosmith, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow., Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Clive Davis, Melissa Manchester, Patti Smith, RIP, The Grateful Dead, The Kinks, Whitney Houston

Clive Davis, one of the great titans of the music industry, has died at the age of 94.

For nearly 65 years, Davis served as one of the most important and productive figures in the recording industry between his work at Columbia Records, Arista Records and J Records, signing such iconic names as Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Aerosmith, Earth Wind & Fire, Patti Smith, Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys among many, many others.

When he signed the Grateful Dead to Arista in late 1976, for instance, it kicked off a career renaissance for the San Francisco band that took them into the 1990s before the untimely passing of Jerry Garcia, and then afterwards with the release of The Other Ones’ The Strange Remain.

“Clive was the one suit we weren’t distrustful of,” Bob Weir once noted.

For The Kinks, signing to Arista proved to be the kick in the pants the English band needed to get them back to the top of the pops.

“The Arista years were an important part of the Kinks story,” guitarist Dave Davies wrote on Facebook in the wake of the news breaking of Davis’ passing. “We hold Clive in high regard and will always appreciate how much he supported us.”

View this post on Instagram

“Over here on E Street, we mourn the death of the great record man and close friend Clive Davis. At 22 years old, he changed my life when he signed me to Columbia Records,” Bruce Springsteen wrote on Instagram. “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.”

“Clive understood that music is more than entertainment. Music is a healing force,” wrote Carlos Santana, whose career was lifted not once but twice by Davis both in the late ‘60s and late ‘90s, on his socials. “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.”

Following the news of Davis’ death, Barry Manilow took to X where he wrote, “My heart is heavy with the loss of my friend Clive Davis. For 50 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 his. Thank you Clive. I wish we could do it all again.”

“Barry Manilow, Tony Orlando & Dawn and I had been signed, so we three became the foundation upon which Clive built his new company,” Melissa Manchester wrote on Facebook in remembrance. “I struggled with Clive’s vision for my career sometimes. He struggled to understand me sometimes. I’d had great success and withering disappointments with him but, in the end, I was grateful that he believed in my talent in an unwavering way for so long. Here is the last photo we recently took together. He’d said, ‘Call me whenever you’re performing in town. I’ll come.’ I swear I was just about to call him. Rest easy now, Clive, and Thank You!”

“Clive Davis convinced me to sign with Columbia Records many years ago,” Billy Joel wrote in a post. “He recognized the talent of great musicians and understood the power of contemporary music. I will always be grateful to Clive for his recognition of the critical importance of songwriting. He undoubtedly enhanced the stature of the music industry during his tenure as president of Columbia Records.”

View this post on Instagram

Patti Smith penned a poem upon hearing the news of her mentor’s passing:

“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.”

Davis most certainly had his fair share of haters and naysayers, as the notorious Lefsetz Letter will tell you. But in the wake of his passing, we choose to honor this giant of the recording industry for his unshakable faith in the artists he delivered to the world.

Rest easy, Clive.