The music and entertainment industry turned out one last time to give Clive Clive Davis, one of the most revered business executives in the music, world a dramatic sendoff on June 29.
He was five-time Grammy award winner and was admitted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-perfomrer in 2000.
He died June 22 due to “age-related illness,” according to Davis’ rep. Aliza Rabinoff. He was 94.
Music industry royalty turned out for his final sendoff. “He changed my life forever,” said rock legend Bruce Springsteen in a eulogy.
“Clive was the most humble man in the music business,” Springsteen, eliciting laughter from the crowd of friends and titans, before quickly acknowleding: “Not really.”
“Clive was big and bombastic and brave and full of ideas and just believed, believed, believed, believed,” he said. He is credited for discovering Whitney Houston and rejuvenating the careers of others.
Once president of Columbia Records at 22 years old, Davis was well known for signing American icons that in addition to Springsteen and Janis Joplin. During the ceremony, Springsteen spoke about memories he had of Davis’ teachings and guidance. He explained that Davis never missed a single one of his New York shows.
Later in Davis’ career, he founded Arista Records and J Records. and was instrumental in shaping the careers of legendary artists such as Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Barry Manilow, and Alicia Keys.
Attendees at Davis’ funeral included Stevie Wonder, Dionne Warwick, Barry Manilow, Alicia Keys, Springsteen, Kenny G and Jennifer Hudson, all of whom Davis is credited with playing a key role in their careers.
Additional attendees at Davis’ funeral included Jeff Ross, Gayle King, Adrien Brody, Ja Rule, Rob Thomas, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and Pat Houston, sister-in-law of the late Whitney.
The service in Midtown included a musical number by Kenny G and speeches from Davis’ sons, Warwick, Manilow, Keys in addition to Springsteen. Hudson also performed Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and Whitney Houston’s cover of “I Will Always Love You,” by Dolly Parton.
Davis served in the music industry for 66 years, shepherding music icons of multiple generations and launching two successful labels.
“To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives,” said the Davis family. “He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations.”
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.ourtownny.com ’
