Clive Davis, music industry starmaker, has died at 94

By — Nekesa Mumbi Moody, Associated Press Nekesa Mumbi Moody, Associated Press By — Maria Sherman, Associated Press Maria Sherman, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/arts/clive-davis-music-industry-starmaker-has-died-at-94 Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Clive Davis, music industry starmaker, has died at 94 Arts Jun 22, 2026 1:00 PM EDT NEW YORK (AP) — Clive Davis, the record company lawyer who became one of the music industry's most powerful figures, launching or resurrecting the careers of such superstars as Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana and Alicia Keys, has died, his family confirmed. He was 94. Earlier this year, Davis was hospitalized following an upper respiratory issue and was released a few days later. His death, in his Manhattan apartment, was confirmed by his publicist Aliza Rabinoff, who also shared a statement from his family. "To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives. He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations," the statement read. Record mogul Clive Davis is pictured in his New York office in 1980. Photo by Marty Reichenthal/AP Photo Unlike other record moguls whose influence waned as they got older, Davis' might only seemed to grow over his career, which spanned multiple genres and labels. Into his 80s, he was directing the careers of everyone from Barry Manilow to "American Idol" winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson. His success stories were staggering, with Houston a crowning achievement and devastating tragedy: Davis signed her to his Arista record label when she was just a teen and turned her into America's reigning pop princess. Houston racked up multiple No. 1 hits and became one of the top-selling artists in pop history before drug abuse hobbled her career. She died in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2012, just hours before she was to appear at the annual pre-Grammy Awards gala hosted by Davis, who had been convinced she was turning her life around. "Maybe I should have been more skeptical," Davis wrote in his 2013 memoir, "The Soundtrack of My Life," "but I've always been optimistic, and I felt hopeful. It felt like old times." He also launched the career of multi-platinum, multiple-Grammy winner Keys — and was quick to note other talents he signed, including Joplin and Billy Joel, Blood Sweat & Tears and other "all-timers," as he so often put it. "I signed Patti Smith, the great Renaissance woman ... I signed Lou Reed ... I signed the Grateful Dead," he proudly touted in an interview with The Associated Press in 1999. Clive Davis (left) appears with Aretha Franklin at her 69th birthday party in New York, in 2011. Photo by Charles Sykes/AP Photo But Davis didn't simply have an eye for