Clive Davis, the influential music executive and producer, reflected on his remarkable career and personal life in a conversation shortly before his death. Known for discovering and shaping the careers of numerous iconic artists, Davis spoke about his early life, his entry into the music industry, and his enduring relationships with musicians.
Davis recounted his beginnings, including losing both parents at 18 and securing an NYU scholarship with limited resources. His legal background led him to represent Columbia Records, marking his entry into music. He became chief counsel and later chief creative officer at Sony, with his numerous Grammy Awards displayed in a museum at NYU dedicated to his life story.
He highlighted his close working relationship with Whitney Houston, stating he not only signed her but was deeply involved in selecting songs for her albums. "Our ears were in sync with each other," he said. Davis also expressed regret over missing opportunities with artists like Meat Loaf and John Mellencamp, whom he felt were not initially recognized for their enduring potential.
Despite his significant achievements, Davis pondered the future of music, questioning if artists like Bing Crosby or Frank Sinatra would re-emerge, noting the current dominance of hip-hop, country, and pop. His recent birthday celebration brought together a diverse group of artists, including Earth, Wind & Fire, Busta Rhymes, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. His personal favorite song remained Simon and Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
When asked what he would say to his mother if he could, Davis's poignant response was, "I done good."