So long, Clive Davis

[Bob F]

The longtime head first of Columbia (CBS), and then Arista records, who then came back again under then-Arista-owner BMG with the J label, will forever be remembered during Grammy week with a particular pre-show event, now run by his offspring... I just hope that somewhere, he's not having to contend with Whitney Houston...  Monday (8/22) in NYC; 94:
https://variety.com/2026/music/people-news/clive-davis-dead-producer-music-executive-1236787329/ (link)
B

[Kevin M. (RPCV)]

One of the most stressful yet fun experiences I had in Hollywood a quarter century ago was working on a TV special commemorating Arista Records 25th Anniversary and celebrating Clive Davis (lo res video attached). It was a Dick Clark Production, and I'd been hired to be the security coordinator despite having zero experience working security. About an hour into the gig, I was so overwhelmed I was convinced there was going to be a high body count. But the lineup of talent who appeared on the show was amazing. I think I've written here previously about Whitney Houston and the surrounding drama (banned from multiple airlines/airports) that accompanied her, but it's worth noting that the instant she walked onto the stage at the Shrine Auditorium, she was -- as the kids might say -- fire. I snuck my mom and one of her friends into the audience for Barry Manilow's soundcheck (my mom's reaction to seeing one of her favorites performing, "He's so little, you want to put him in your pocket"). Somewhere in my archives, I still have Aretha Franklin's contract to appear on the show. Her demands included her salary paid to her in cash, in a briefcase, in advance or she would not perform. 

All of those artists probably would've found their way to success and fame without Clive Davis, but luckily for them they didn't have to. 

https://youtu.be/u3_XrTVgpJA?si=lZbsnsdNHeMkwuR_

[Joe Hass]

You mention Manilow, Kev: that's the artist I instantly associated with Davis because that's what my mom listened to and got me hooked on.

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[Bob F]

That should have been June, not August.    B

[Kevin M. (RPCV)]

On Monday, June 22, 2026 at 2:28:40 PM UTC-7 hassg...@gmail.com wrote:

You mention Manilow, Kev: that's the artist I instantly associated with Davis because that's what my mom listened to and got me hooked on.

Every summer we used to climb into the giant blue Chevy station wagon and do a cross country road trip as a family, usually to my grandparents in Michigan. In the car, my mom’s cassette collection was limited to Barry Manilow, Kenny Rogers, Neil Diamond, and Barbra Streisand. But it was mostly Manilow. He wrote the songs that make the whole world sing… or at least the whole station wagon.