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Clive Davis<\/strong>, the legendary record executive who founded Arista Records<\/strong> and J Records<\/strong> and signed Whitney Houston<\/strong>, has died at the age of 94<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Davis<\/strong> died at his home in New York City<\/strong> on Monday (June 22<\/strong>). His family announced his death in a statement posted to his official X<\/strong> account.<\/p>\n \u201cTo the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives,\u201d the Davis family<\/strong> wrote. \u201cHe discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations.<\/p>\n \u201cTo his family, Clive<\/strong> was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love.<\/p>\n \u201cNo matter how extraordinary his professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved.<\/p>\n \u201cThrough every chapter of his remarkable life, family remained Clive<\/strong>\u2018s greatest pride and deepest joy. Today, we celebrate not only a towering figure whose influence changed music forever, but the man who led our family with grace, generosity, and kindness.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will miss him greatly, cherish him always, and carry his love with us for the rest of our lives,\u201d concluded the statement, signed the Davis Family<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Davis<\/strong> was named President of Columbia Records<\/a><\/strong> in 1967<\/strong>, where he signed artists including Janis Joplin<\/strong>, Bruce Springsteen<\/strong>, Billy Joel<\/strong>, Santana<\/strong> and Aerosmith<\/strong>.<\/p>\n He founded Arista Records<\/strong> in 1974<\/strong>, and the label went on to release music by Aretha Franklin<\/strong>, Barry Manilow<\/strong>, Patti Smith<\/strong> and the Grateful Dead<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In 1989<\/strong>, Davis<\/strong> co-founded LaFace Records<\/strong> with Babyface<\/strong> and L.A. Reid<\/strong>, the home of OutKast<\/strong>, TLC<\/strong>, Usher<\/strong>, Pink<\/strong> and Toni Braxton<\/strong>.<\/p>\n He later launched Bad Boy Records<\/strong> with Sean Combs<\/strong>, which released music by The Notorious B.I.G.<\/strong> and Faith Evans<\/strong>.<\/p>\n In 2000<\/strong>, he left Arista<\/strong> to launch J Records<\/strong>, which signed and developed Alicia Keys<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Between 2002<\/strong> and 2008<\/strong>, Davis<\/strong> served as Chairman and CEO of the RCA Music Group<\/strong>.<\/p>\n He later became Chief Creative Officer of Sony Music Entertainment<\/a><\/strong>, a title he held until his death.<\/p>\n No artist became more closely associated with Davis<\/strong> than Whitney Houston<\/strong>, whom he signed to Arista<\/strong> in 1983<\/strong>.<\/p>\n He oversaw her recordings from her debut album through to her death in 2012<\/strong>, a partnership that produced seven consecutive US<\/strong> Number One singles.<\/p>\n \u201cNo-one\u2019s life goes up, up, up \u2013 and music is an especially tough business\u2026 You\u2019ve got to be able to face adversity and count on resilience,\u201d Davis<\/strong> told MBW<\/strong> in 2017<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cNo-one\u2019s life goes up, up, up \u2013 and music is an especially tough business\u2026 You\u2019ve got to be able to face adversity and count on resilience.\u201d<\/p>\n Clive Davis, speaking with MBW in 2017<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Davis<\/strong> hosted an annual pre-Grammy<\/strong> gala, which had taken place the night before the awards show since 1975<\/strong>.<\/p>\n He hosted the most recent gala<\/a> on January 31, 2026<\/strong>, which honored Republic Records<\/a><\/strong> co-founders Monte<\/strong> and Avery Lipman<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Davis<\/strong> had been hospitalized in New York City<\/strong> in late May<\/strong> with an upper respiratory infection.<\/p>\n The Arista<\/strong> name was relaunched by Sony Music<\/strong><\/a> as a frontline label in 2018<\/strong>, under David Massey<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Davis<\/strong> was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame<\/strong> in 2000<\/strong> and won five Grammy Awards<\/strong> across his career.<\/p>\n Aretha Franklin<\/strong> once called Davis<\/strong> \u201cthe greatest record man of all time.\u201d<\/p>\n Tributes have poured in for Davis today.<\/p>\n Rob Stringer<\/a>,<\/strong> Chairman, Sony Music Group<\/a>, issued the following statement on Monday on the passing of Clive Davis:<\/p>\n \u201cClive of course played a seminal role in the story of Sony Music through two incredible chapters, and he is responsible for a huge part of the recorded legacy of the company permanently,\u201d said Stringer.<\/p>\n \u201cNot only are many, many artists we represent continuously indebted to his service but so many staff members have been influenced and mentored by his deep love and respect for our company which he carried right up until today.<\/p>\n \u201cOur working lives are better for having had his constant presence in the aura and perception of Sony Music.\u201d<\/p>\n Carlos Santana<\/strong> said: \u201cClive Davis was a visionary. He could hear the intangible before anyone else could see it. He believed in Santana from the beginning, and years later he believed in us again. That kind of faith is a beautiful blessing, and I will always be grateful.<\/p>\n \u201cClive understood that music is more than entertainment. Music is a healing force. It brings people together beyond fear, beyond separation, beyond borders. He dedicated his life to championing artists and helping them share their gifts with the world.<\/p>\n \u201cClive recognized the light in people. He encouraged artists to trust their own voice and step into their destiny. Because of his vision, countless musicians were able to reach hearts across the planet.<\/p>\n \u201cI thank Clive for his friendship, his trust, and his belief in Santana. We celebrate his extraordinary journey and the legacy of joy, inspiration, and possibility that he leaves behind. We send our deepest love and blessings to his family and to all who were touched by his life. Peace, love, and light.\u201d<\/p>\n\n