Clive Davis, Legendary Music Visionary Behind Whitney Houston, Carrie Underwood, Dies at 94 [WATCH]

Music industry executive Clive Davis, whose career helped shape the success of some of the biggest names in modern music, died Monday at his home in Manhattan. He was 94.

Fox News Digital confirmed that Davis died from an age-related illness while surrounded by family. According to reports, he had been hospitalized earlier this year for an upper respiratory infection.

The Davis family announced his death in a statement posted on his Instagram account, highlighting both his professional accomplishments and his role within the family.

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

The statement continued, “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. No matter how extraordinary his professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved.”

The family added, “Through every chapter of his remarkable life, family remained Clive’s greatest pride and deepest joy. Today, we celebrate not only a towering figure whose influence changed music forever, but the man who led our family with grace, generosity, and kindness. We will miss him greatly, cherish him always, and carry his love with us for the rest of our lives.”

Over a career spanning more than five decades, Davis played a key role in launching and developing the careers of artists including Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana, Aerosmith, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Earth, Wind & Fire, Billy Joel, Carrie Underwood and many others.

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Following news of his death, several artists paid tribute to the longtime music executive.

Springsteen wrote on Instagram, “Over here on E Street, we mourn the death of the great record man and close friend Clive Davis.”

“At 22 years old, he changed my life when he signed me to Columbia Records. He treated me with the same respect and kindness as a 22-year-old nobody, as he did after all my success. A great man. All our prayers and love.”

Rod Stewart described Davis as “A giant of a man in the music business.”

“I owe Clive so much. The force behind J Records, he was the only one who believed a rock singer could sing the standards with conviction. Other labels rejected the idea, and so The Great American Songbook was born, selling close to 40 million copies.”

Stewart added, “We had some wonderful, unforgettable times together, but for now, Mr. Davis, it’s goodbye, my dear friend.”

Barry Manilow also reflected on their decades-long relationship.

“My heart is heavy with the loss of my friend Clive Davis. For fifty years, we worked together, created together, argued together, and celebrated together. Yes, some would say it was business. But to Clive, it never was. It was family. And I was honored to be a part of his.”

Businesswoman and television personality Martha Stewart remembered Davis as her “lovely friend, mentor and neighbor, the indomitable, indefatigable, amazing, talented, intuitive, Mister Clive Davis.”

“I will miss him so very, very much,” Stewart wrote. “Not only did he provide us with some of the best performers and their music for more than half a century, he was the kindest, most thoughtful, and caring human being.”

Davis joined Columbia Records as a lawyer in 1960 and became president of the label in 1967. After leaving Columbia in 1973, he launched Arista Records, which helped develop artists including Houston, Franklin, TLC, Babyface, and Brooks & Dunn.

Following his departure from Arista in 2000, Davis launched J Records, where Alicia Keys became the label’s flagship artist. The success of Keys helped establish J Records as a major force in the music industry.

In 2008, after the merger of Sony Music and BMG Entertainment, Davis became chief creative officer of Sony Music Entertainment.

Despite not being a performer himself, Davis became one of the most influential figures in the recording industry. He won five Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer in 2000.

Davis is survived by his sons Fred, Doug, and Mitchell, daughter Lauren, eight grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, cousin Jo Schuman, and partner Greg Schriefer.

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