Clive Davis attends the pre-Grammy Awards gala honoring industry icons in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 2026 Leon Bennett

Clive Davis, a legendary music executive who helped shape the careers of generations of artists including Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston, has died. He was 94.

His publicist said Davis died peacefully at his home in Manhattan on Monday of age-related illness, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

Davis, a five-time Grammy Award winner, played a key role in furthering the work of artists across genres — R&B, jazz, rock, country and hip-hop, as well as some of pop's biggest stars.

"To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives," his family said in a statement. "He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations."

"To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love," his family said. "No matter how extraordinary his professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved."

Born in Brooklyn in 1932, Davis lost both his parents when he was a teen. He learned an early lesson, as he told "CBS Sunday Morning" in 2011: "There was no substitute for hard work. You had to earn it. I earned every scholarship that I had to get me through law school as well as college."

Davis, who graduated from New York University and Harvard Law School, had no real training in music and began his career as a lawyer.

"I was plucked out of a law firm to become chief lawyer for Columbia Records three years out of law school. I did that for five years," Davis told "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King in 2022. He became head of Columbia Records in 1967.

Davis said he never thought he would have a "musical ear," but he was widely credited as one of the greatest hit-makers — signing some of the biggest names in the business, including Simon and Garfunkel, Barry Manilow, Barbra Streisand, Patti Smith, Billy Joel, and Earth Wind and Fire. His roster later included top artists like Notorious B.I.G., Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross, Rod Stewart and many more.

"I do know when I hear a hit song. And so Simon and Garfunkel, [I'll] never forget that when they played me 'Bridge Over Troubled Water,' I said, 'That has gotta be the first single,'" Davis had told CBS News, adding that "it was so classic" and his favorite song.

Singer-songwriter and music producer Narada Michael Walden, who was credited for some of Whitney Houston's greatest hits, including "How Will I Know" and "I'm Every Woman," remembered Davis as a lover of music.

"[Davis] was a perfectionist and very giving of nature to open the doors to people like myself who also love music and want to really bring music up," Walden said in an interview with CBS News. "I'm so delighted I had the chance to work with Clive all these years."

When asked what it was about Davis that made him have a knack for talent, Walden said, "He loved to, I will say, to meditate. Close his eyes and just envision what will be a hit around the world. He had a gift for that ... He was really in touch and excited like a kid to bring new music to the world."

Davis was ousted from Columbia Records after a few years when the company accused him of mismanaging funds, which Davis denied. He also faced tax evasion charges and had to pay a $10,000 fine, the Associated Press reported.

Davis went on to become founder, president and later chairman and CEO of Arista Records. He was also founder and CEO of J Records, chairman of the RCA Music Group, and, most recently, worldwide chief creative officer at Sony Music Entertainment, according to the statement from his publicist.

"Davis was not only one of music's most prolific hitmakers, innovators and developers of artistic and executive talent ever, he was one of the record industry's first and most impactful advocates for Black artists," the statement said.

Musician David Foster said the secret to Davis' success was mutual respect.

"He's completely artist-friendly and the artist always comes first," Foster previously told CBS News.

Manilow said Davis was an inspiration to him and to everyone in the music business.

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