Grammy-Winning Music Titan Clive Davis Dies At 94
on Jun 22, 2026
Clive Davis, the legendary award-winning music executive, has passed away at the age of 94.
Clive Davis Had A Legendary Career In Music
Throughout his 50+ year career, Clive Davis helmed Columbia, Arista and J Records.
He was the president of Columbia Records from 1967-1973 before leaving to start his own company, Arista Records, in 1974, and remained at the helm until 2000.
Some artists that he signed at Arista include The Grateful Dead, Outlaws, Patti Smith, Eric Carmen, Air Supply, the Kinks, Lou Reed, Alan Parsons and Dionne Warwick, and Aretha Franklin.
Arista’s biggest signing was Whitney Houston in 1983, becoming not only the record label’s most successful artist, but also one of the most successful artists of all time, selling over 220 million records worldwide.
After being fired from Arista in 2000, Davis founded J Records and had success with aritsts Busta Rhymes, Alicia Keys, D’Angelo, Luther Vandross, Jamie Foxx, and Monica.
In 2002, the label began operating under RCA Music Group and RCA Records, who represented some of the biggest names in pop music including P!nk, Kelly Clarkson, and several other American Idol winners.
As of 2018, he was the Chief Creative Officer of Sony Music Entertainment.
He is credited for bringing countless artists to prominence including Pink Floyd, Janis Joplin, Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, and many more.
Due to his accomplishments in the music industry, he was inducted into the Rock And Rock Hall Of Fame in 2000. He also is the winner of five Grammy Awards for being a producer on several albums, as well as the Grammys Trustees Award in 2000.
See a list of his Grammy wins below.
2009: Best R&B Album for Jennifer Hudson by Jennifer Hudson
2006: Best Pop Vocal Album for Breakaway by Kelly Clarkson
2000: Album of the Year for Supernatural by Santana
2000: Best Rock Album for Supernatural by Santana
1994: Album of the Year for The Bodyguard (Original Soundtrack Album) by Whitney Houston
Additionally, he was awarded the President’s Merit Award in 2009.
Clive Davis Passed Away On Monday, June 22
Variety reports that Davis passed away at his Manhattan home on Monday (June 22).
He is survived by his two children, Fred and Lauren from his first marriage to Helen Cohen, and his two kids from his second marriage to Janet Adelberg: Mitchell and Doug. Additionally, he has eight grandchildren.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this time.
