Iconic record producer Clive Davis dies at 94

By Mason Leib and Andrea Dresdale

Clive Davis, the legendary record producer and former head of Columbia Records credited for the rise of several major artists including Whitney Houston and Barry Manilow, has died at 94, ABC News has confirmed.

A release announcing Davis’ death noted that he died of “age-related illness” on Monday in Manhattan “surrounded by his family and loved ones.”

“To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives. He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations,” read a statement from his family included in the release.

The statement continued, “To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love. No matter how extraordinary his professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved.”

The family added that Davis’ family was his “greatest pride and deepest joy.”

“We will miss him greatly, cherish him always, and carry his love with us for the rest of our lives,’ the statement concluded.

Davis, who graduated from New York University and Harvard Law School, would go on to hold some of the most prestigious titles in the music industry, becoming president of Columbia Records in 1967 before founding Arista Records in 1974.

The release notes that through his career, Davis “discover[ed], mentor[ed] and even extend[ed] the careers of” a star-studded list of artists including Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Grateful Dead, Janis Joplin, Notorious B.I.G., Alicia Keys among several other massive names in music.

A lawyer by trade, New York City-born Davis joined Columbia Records as assistant counsel in 1960. He was later made president of the label and helped to bring it into the rock era, signing acts such as Joplin’s band Big Brother and the Holding Company; Santana; Blood, Sweat & Tears; and Pink Floyd.

After being fired from Columbia in 1973, he started his own labels, Arista Records and J Records, and worked for BMG and Sony Music Entertainment. Over that time, he helped revive the careers of Dionne Warwick, Santana, the Grateful Dead, Rod Stewart and Aretha Franklin; gave Barry Manilow his first #1 with “Mandy”; identified Whitney Houston as a future star and signed her at age 19; and released Alicia Keys’ 2001 Grammy-winning debut album, “Songs in A Minor.”

Other acts Davis worked with over the years included Barbra Streisand, Sarah McLachlan, Carly Simon, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny G, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Kinks, Annie Lennox, Toni Braxton, Luther Vandross, Maroon 5 and Usher.

Davis also worked closely with “American Idol” in the show’s early years, heading the label that released the music of winners and finalists such as Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Fantasia Barrino, Jennifer Hudson, Ruben Studdard and Jordin Sparks.

Davis’ annual star-studded pre-Grammy parties became legendary and often served as a launching pad for the artist he was focusing on at the time. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 as a non-performer.

His 2013 autobiography, “The Soundtrack of My Life,” was a New York Times bestseller. The 2017 documentary “Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives,” is currently available on Netflix.

Davis, who at age 80 revealed that he was bisexual, is survived by three sons, a daughter, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, as well as his partner. His two marriages ended in divorce.