Clive Davis, influential Jewish rock-and-roll executive, dies at 94

Clive Davis, a towering figure in the music industry renowned for discovering and nurturing some of rock and roll's most iconic artists, has died at the age of 94. During his tenure as head of CBS Records, Davis was instrumental in signing legendary musicians such as Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, and Billy Joel, shaping the sound of popular music.

However, Davis's career at CBS Records ended abruptly in 1973 due to a scandal involving alleged misappropriation of funds. He was accused of siphoning at least $20,000 from the label to pay for his son Fred's bar mitzvah. This led to a civil suit from CBS and a guilty plea three years later for failing to pay taxes on the expenses. The incident cost him his position at a critical juncture in his career.

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I have made it my mission in life to fight for equality and human rights, advocating for those who do not have a voice in music and elsewhere. You cannot be silent about antisemitism, or hate or discrimination of any kind.

Despite the setback, Davis made a significant comeback by founding Arista Records. Under Arista, he continued his remarkable track record of talent spotting, signing Aretha Franklin, bringing in the Grateful Dead, and famously discovering a 19-year-old Whitney Houston. He also played a role in launching the careers of artists like Kelly Clarkson and Bad Boy Records, which featured The Notorious B.I.G.

Davis, who was private about his Jewish faith, became more vocal later in life, particularly after the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel. He spoke out against antisemitism, stating, "You cannot be silent about antisemitism, or hate or discrimination of any kind." He also publicly came out as bisexual in his 2013 autobiography, "The Soundtrack of my Life," detailing his experiences and relationships.

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On this night, after imbibing enough alcohol, I was open to responding to his sexual overtures.