RIP Clive Davis
I often thought of Clive Davis as the "Last Record Man". But there were others that could claim that title like Berry Gordy. He certainly represented an era of music moguls that no longer exists. While head of Columbia or Arista he wasn't against signing artists that didn't have top of the chart potential, he's mostly remembered for his "golden ears". Clive knew a hit when he heard it. But there's no doubting his legend. The names he had at his labels reads like a who's who of Hall of Famers. Joplin, Santana, Whitney, Manilow, Aretha, Springsteen, etc.
Clive also signed acts that weren’t big sellers but were critically acclaimed: Gil Scott-Heron, Laura Nero and Patti Smith. All three are in the Rock Hall. He revived the sagging chart fortunes of the Kinks, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick and Santana. Not everything sold and many releases stiffed. But that’s how it is with every record executive.
I first knew about him when I was a teenager just getting to know the music business. Those were the 70’s, when he first started running Arista Records. What stood out until his last years was his devotion to the music industry and how many people loved working for him.
posted by Tom Lane at 9:15 AM
