Music titan Clive Davis, who shaped careers of Houston, Keys, dies at 94

Clive Davis, the legendary music executive who shaped the careers of countless superstars, has died at the age of 94. His family confirmed his passing to The New York Times.

Davis was a towering figure in the music industry for over five decades, known for his unparalleled ability to discover and nurture talent across various genres. He launched or revitalized the careers of artists such as Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana, and Alicia Keys. His success was staggering, with Houston's rise to global fame being a crowning achievement, though later overshadowed by tragedy.

Davis signed a teenage Whitney Houston to his Arista record label, transforming her into a pop icon. She became one of the best-selling artists in history before her career was derailed by drug abuse. Her death in 2012, just hours before she was to perform at Davis's pre-Grammy gala, deeply affected him. He reflected in his memoir, "I've always been optimistic, and I felt hopeful. It felt like old times."

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Maybe I should have been more skeptical, but I’ve always been optimistic, and I felt hopeful. It felt like old times.

Beyond Houston, Davis's Midas touch extended to many others. He championed Alicia Keys, and proudly noted signing "all-timers" like Janis Joplin, Billy Joel, and the Grateful Dead. He also revitalized the careers of established artists, including Aretha Franklin and Luther Vandross, at Arista and J Records. His innovative vision was evident in the 1999 album "Supernatural," which paired Carlos Santana with contemporary artists, earning a record-tying eight Grammys and bringing Santana unprecedented success.

Davis's influence also extended to reviving the careers of older artists, as seen with Rod Stewart's successful series of "Great American Songbook" albums. Despite his remarkable track record, Davis occasionally missed opportunities, such as turning down Meat Loaf, and sometimes clashed with collaborators, notably producer David Foster.

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I signed Patti Smith, the great Renaissance woman ... I signed Lou Reed ... I signed the Grateful Dead.