Clive Davis dies at 94: Music executive titan responsible for careers of Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen

Clive Davis, who was responsible for the careers of many legendary musical artists such as Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen and Carlos Santana, passed away at the age of 94.

The longtime music executive and founder of Arista Records and J Records (who had an estimated net worth of $850 million) passed away at his home in New York City on Monday. Rolling stone.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Davis’ representatives but has yet to receive a response.

Davis is survived by her four children (Fred, Lauren, Mitchell and Doug) and her longtime partner Greg Schriefer, as well as eight grandchildren.

The music executive, who came out as bisexual in 2013, was in a relationship with real estate agent Schriefer for more than two decades.

Just last month, he was hospitalized in his hometown for an upper respiratory tract infection and was discharged days later.

Davis photographed with Usher (left) and Whitney Houston in Beverly Hills in October 2006.

Davis is survived by her four children (Fred, Lauren, Mitchell and Doug) and her longtime partner Greg Schriefer (pictured with them in April 2025), as well as eight grandchildren.

Davis was a giant of the music industry and also helped shape the careers of Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, and many more.

He was the former president of Columbia Records and is the chief creative officer of Sony Music Entertainment.

Her last public appearance was in the Big Apple on May 19, when she attended The Gordon Parks Foundation Awards Dinner and Auction 2026.

That’s where he sat next to Keys, 45, whom he patronized at the charity gala.

In 2013, he revealed that he was bisexual for the first time in his autobiography, The Soundtrack Of My Live.

Since he had been married to women twice before, his last two partners were men.

He wrote in his book: ‘I enjoyed spending time with all of them and frankly felt that I did not have a strong sexual preference.’

After a period of ‘soul searching and self-analysis’, Clive separated from his second wife in 1985 and said he had simultaneous affairs with two women and a man.

Her last public appearance was in the Big Apple on May 19 while attending The Gordon Parks Foundation Awards Dinner and Auction 2026; seen above with Alicia Keys on May 19

Davis was a giant of the music industry and also helped shape the careers of Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood and many others (she was seen with Rod Stewart in New York in December 2003)

In 2013, he first came out as bisexual in his autobiography The Soundtrack Of My Live (filmed in November 2025 with George Clooney and his partner Schriefer)

Davis was born in Brooklyn in April 1932 and studied political science at New York University’s College of Arts and Sciences. He later graduated from Harvard Law School in 1956.

Later, in 1990, she entered into a ‘monogamous relationship’ with an unnamed male doctor.

That relationship ended in 2004, but Davis says she has been in a relationship with Schriefer ever since.

Davis was born in Brooklyn in April 1932 and studied political science at New York University’s College of Arts and Sciences. He later graduated from Harvard Law School in 1956.

He later became General Counsel of Columbia Records in the 60s and was appointed Vice President and General Manager in 1966.

The following year, Davis reached a major turning point when he became President of Columbia Records, where he continued his interest in rock and folk music.

In 1967, she attended the Monterey Pop Festival and signed with Janis Joplin’s band Big Brother and The Holding Company.

Other artists he eventually signed included Blood, Sweat & Tears, Chicago, Santana, Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, as well as Earth, Wind and Fire.

Davis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer in 2000.

In 1967, she attended the Monterey Pop Festival and signed Janis Joplin’s band Big Brother and The Holding Company; Joplin seen in New York in 1968

He also hired recording artist Tony Orlando, who would later become executive vice president of Columbia/CBS Music. In 1969, Orlando specifically signed Barry Manilow (Davis and Manilow seen in April 2017)

during a past argument with ConversationsDavis recalled attending the festival in Monterey and its impact.

‘In the months after that I signed Blood, Sweat & Tears and quietly built up my roster at Columbia until I could really launch it in a big way.’

He added: ‘Watching Janis that day, I realized that I had to act according to my instincts, my intuition. ‘Every artist I’ve signed since then has had an impact.’

Davis also helped launch the successful careers of Simon & Garfunkel, Andy Williams and Barbra Streisand.

He also hired recording artist Tony Orlando, who would later become executive vice president of Columbia/CBS Music. In 1969, Orlando specifically signed Barry Manilow.

Davis left Columbia and founded Arista Records in 1974.

The label, now owned by Sony Music Entertainment, helped launch the careers of other musical artists such as Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, Patti Smith, Aretha Franklin, The Grateful Dead, Eurythmics and Dionne Warwick.

Under Arista, he also signed contracts with Alicia Keys, Westlife, Kenny G, Air Supply and Bay City Rollers.

In 2000, he left Arista to found J Records, which has an artist roster that includes Annie Lenox, Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes, Jamie Foxx, Maroon 5, Jennifer Hudson, Kesha, Rod Stewart and Pearl Jam; Seen in Los Angeles in 2024

Over the years, the music mogul has won four Grammy awards as a producer; these include Album of the Year for Whitney Houston’s The Bodyguard; Seen in Las Vegas in 2004

Davis also founded LaFace Records with LA Reid and Babyface in 1989.

Music artists signed to the label included TLC, Usher, Pink, and also Toni Braxton.

Five years later, the record executive founded Bad Boy Records with Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, which included artists such as Notorious BIG, Faith Evans and Mase.

In 2000, he left Arista to found J Records, which has an artist roster that includes Annie Lennox, Alicia Keys, Busta Rhymes, Jamie Foxx, Maroon 5, Jennifer Hudson, Kesha, Rod Stewart and Pearl Jam.

Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) acquired a majority stake in J Records in 2002, before the label began operating under the RCA Music group. Disbanded to RCA Records in 2011.

RCA Records is owned by Sony Music Entertainment, where Davis is currently chief creative officer.

Over the years, the music mogul has won four Grammy awards as a producer; this includes Album of the Year for Whitney Houston’s The Bodyguard.

‘Music is a necessary component in people’s lives,’ Davis said during his discussion with The Talks.

Davis pictured with Carlos Santana at the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles in February 2000.

‘One must understand that no matter what revolution occurs in technology, music will not become obsolete.’

He added: ‘People need music and they’ve needed it in many different ways over many years; Whether you turn to church traditions or other traditions in life; Whether pop, soul, rock or jazz…

‘This is a very, very natural essential ingredient needed to fully enjoy life.’

In 2021, Davis was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, causing her to postpone her annual Pre-Grammy Gala.

In 2021, Davis was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, causing her to postpone her annual Pre-Grammy Gala; Seen with Aretha Franklin in December 2015

Keys and Davis spotted in New York in 2024

‘It is a condition that causes sudden weakness in the muscles on one side of the face.’ Mayo Clinic.

A rep for Davis told Variety at the time that the star was in good spirits at the time of the diagnosis.

Yıldız also told Diversity He said he likes to keep up with new music coming out earlier this year.

‘First of all, I enjoy it. Secondly, I like to stay informed, so that when I meet new artists or spend time together, they’re not talking to yesterday’s masters, so to speak.’