Clive Davis was a towering figure in the music industry, a record company lawyer turned executive who had a profound impact on the careers of some of the most iconic musicians. He passed away at the age of 94, leaving behind a legacy of talent and timeless hits.

Davis began his illustrious career at Columbia Records in the 1960s. He was known as the ‘man with the golden ears,’ responsible for launching or resurrecting the careers of superstars like Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Carlos Santana, and Alicia Keys.

Whitney Houston and ‘I Will Always Love You’

One of the most legendary stories from Davis’s career involves Whitney Houston’s hit cover of Dolly Parton’s ‘I Will Always Love You.’ Davis disagreed with producer David Foster over the arrangement, advocating for the song’s iconic a cappella intro. Davis’s vision prevailed; the song became a massive hit, partly thanks to a suggestion from Houston’s ‘Bodyguard’ co-star Kevin Costner.

Carlos Santana’s ‘Smooth’

Davis was instrumental in conceptualizing Santana’s 1999 album ‘Supernatural,’ pairing the guitarist with popular artists. The album achieved unprecedented success, winning eight Grammys. The song ‘Smooth’ featuring Rob Thomas was initially disliked by Santana, but Davis convinced him otherwise.

Aretha Franklin’s ‘Freeway of Love’

Aretha Franklin, already a star, experienced a resurgence with Davis’s guidance at Arista Records. The 1985 track ‘Freeway of Love’ from the album ‘Who’s Zoomin’ Who?’ helped revive her career, reaffirming Davis’s prowess as the ‘greatest record man of all time.’

Janis Joplin’s ‘Piece of My Heart’

Clive Davis’s experience at the Monterey International Pop Festival in 1967 was transformative, particularly his encounter with Big Brother & the Holding Company featuring Janis Joplin. Davis suggested modifying ‘Piece of My Heart,’ turning it into a hit and solidifying their partnership.

Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Blinded by the Light’

Davis was an early supporter of Bruce Springsteen, encouraging the young artist to write ‘Blinded by the Light’ for his 1973 debut album. This collaboration marked the beginning of Springsteen’s enduring career.

Alicia Keys’ ‘Fallin’’

Davis played a vital role in Alicia Keys’s early career, signing her to J Records. He recognized her talent immediately, supporting her debut single ‘Fallin’,’ which became a career-defining moment.

Barry Manilow’s ‘Mandy’

Davis celebrated the success of ‘Mandy’ by hosting annual pre-Grammy fundraising events. His ability to identify hits and find the right artists was evident as he handed ‘Mandy’ to Barry Manilow, marking another successful collaboration.

Billy Joel’s ‘Piano Man’

Billy Joel acknowledged Davis’s influence, crediting him on Instagram for convincing him to sign with Columbia Records. Joel’s subsequent release, ‘Piano Man,’ became a hallmark of his career.

Milli Vanilli’s ‘Blame It on the Rain’

Davis’s Arista label saw great success with various artists, including Milli Vanilli. However, the duo’s lip-syncing scandal became a major industry embarrassment after initially achieving success with ‘Blame It on the Rain.’

Kelly Clarkson’s ‘Since U Been Gone’

Davis’s relationship with Kelly Clarkson was complex. He found ‘Since U Been Gone’ for Clarkson, which became one of her biggest hits. Despite initial hesitations, Davis’s ear for hits was once again evident, though not without challenges.