Clive Davis facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Clive Davis
Davis in 2023
Born	Clive Jay Davis (1932-04-04) April 4, 1932 (age 93) Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Education	Erasmus Hall High School, Brooklyn
Alma mater	New York University Harvard Law School
Occupation	Record producer record executive
Years active	1965–present
Spouse(s)	Helen Cohen ​ ​ (m. 1956; div. 1965)​ Janet Adelberg ​ ​ (m. 1965; div. 1985)​
Children	4

Clive Jay Davis (born April 4, 1932) is a famous American record producer and record executive. He is also a lawyer. He has won five Grammy Awards, which are big awards in music. In 2000, he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was honored for his work behind the scenes, not as a performer.

From 1967 to 1973, Davis was the president of Columbia Records. He then started Arista Records in 1974 and led it until 2000. After that, he founded J Records. From 2002 to April 2008, he was a top leader at RCA Music Group. This group included RCA Records, J Records, and Arista Records. He also led BMG North America.

Clive Davis helped many artists become famous. He signed Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin, Laura Nyro, and Santana. He also signed Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, and Billy Joel. Other artists he worked with include Donovan, Bay City Rollers, and Aerosmith. He is especially known for helping Whitney Houston and Barry Manilow become huge stars.

As of 2018, Davis is the chief creative officer for Sony Music Entertainment. This means he helps guide the creative direction for many artists.

Early Life and Education

Clive Davis was born in Brooklyn, New York City. His parents, Herman and Florence Davis, were Jewish. His father worked as an electrician and salesman. Clive grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn. He went to Erasmus Hall High School.

When Clive was a teenager, his mother passed away at age 47. His father died the next year. After this, Clive moved to Bayside, Queens to live with his older, married sister.

Davis attended New York University College of Arts & Science. He studied political science and graduated with high honors in 1953. He then received a full scholarship to Harvard Law School. He graduated from Harvard Law in 1956.

Music Career Highlights

Leading Columbia Records

Clive Davis first worked as a lawyer in New York. He later joined a firm that had CBS as a client. At age 28, he was hired by Columbia Records, a CBS company. He became their assistant lawyer, then general counsel.

In 1965, Davis became an administrative vice president at Columbia Records. In 1966, he began leading the new CBS Records unit. The next year, Davis became president of Columbia Records. He became very interested in new music like folk rock and rock and roll.

One of his first signings was British musician Donovan. Donovan had many hit songs and albums. Davis also hired Tony Orlando in 1967. Orlando later became a vice-president and signed Barry Manilow.

In June 1967, Davis went to the Monterey Pop Festival. He was very impressed and quickly signed Janis Joplin and her band. Columbia Records then signed many other famous groups. These included Laura Nyro, Santana, Bruce Springsteen, and Chicago. He also signed Billy Joel, Blood, Sweat & Tears, and Aerosmith.

A very successful song during Davis's time at Columbia was Lynn Anderson's Rose Garden in 1970. Davis insisted this song be released as a single. It became a number one hit in 16 countries.

In 1972, Davis signed Earth, Wind & Fire. He also signed the Boston band Aerosmith in the early 1970s. This signing was even mentioned in Aerosmith's 1979 song "No Surprize."

Founding Arista Records

After leaving CBS Records in 1973, Clive Davis became a consultant for Bell Records. He then founded Arista Records in 1974. He named the company after a New York City honor society he was part of.

At Arista, Davis signed many successful artists. These included Barry Manilow, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, and Patti Smith. He also signed Kenny G, the Bay City Rollers, and Alicia Keys. He brought artists like Carly Simon and Grateful Dead to the label.

Davis also helped create LaFace Records with L.A. Reid and Babyface. LaFace became home to TLC, Usher, and Toni Braxton. He also started Bad Boy Records with Sean "Puffy" Combs. This label signed The Notorious B.I.G. and Faith Evans.

One of Davis's biggest achievements at Arista was signing Whitney Houston. He saw her perform and was very impressed. Under his guidance, Whitney Houston became one of the best-selling artists ever.

J Records and Sony Music

In 2000, Davis left Arista and started J Records. This was an independent label supported by Arista's parent company. In 2002, J Records joined with a larger company, and Davis became president and CEO of RCA Music Group.

His skill in finding new artists was recognized by the music industry. In 2001, he was named the "world's No.1 A&R" executive.

In 2004, his company merged with Sony Music Entertainment. This meant Davis was working with parts of his old company, CBS Records, again. He continued to lead the RCA Label Group until 2008. Then, he became the chief creative officer for Sony BMG.

Later in 2008, Sony BMG became Sony Music Entertainment. Davis was promoted to Chief Creative Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, a role he still holds. The labels he founded, Arista Records and J Records, were later merged into RCA Records in 2011.

Awards and Honors

Clive Davis has won four Grammy Awards as a producer.

Davis also received the Grammy Trustees Award in 2000. He got the President's Merit Award at the 2009 Grammys. In 2011, a theater at the Grammy Museum was named the "Clive Davis Theater" in his honor.

In 2000, Davis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He was honored in the category for people who work behind the scenes. That same year, he received the Golden Plate Award.

Personal Life

Clive Davis has been married and divorced two times. He was married to Helen Cohen from 1956 to 1965. He was then married to Janet Adelberg from 1965 to 1985. He has four children: Fred, Lauren, Mitchell, and Doug Davis. His children work in media, law, and music. Clive Davis also has eight grandchildren.

His autobiography, The Soundtrack of My Life, was published in 2013. This book was also the basis for a documentary film.

See also

In Spanish: Clive Davis para niños