Clive Jay Davis, born April 4, 1932, is a legendary American record producer and music executive. He won five Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Davis was president of Columbia Records from 1967 to 1973, founded Arista Records in 1974, and established J Records in 2000.
He played a crucial role in launching the careers of artists like Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, and Bruce Springsteen. As of 2018, Davis serves as the chief creative officer of Sony Music Entertainment.
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Clive Davis Net Worth
Clive Jay Davis is an American record producer, A&R executive, record executive, and lawyer. He rose to prominence in the music world for his uncanny ability to identify and nurture unique talents.
Early life
Davis was born in Brooklyn, New York City, to Jewish parents, Herman and Florence Davis. His father worked as an electrician and salesman. Davis grew up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, and attended Erasmus Hall High School.
Tragically, his mother passed away at the age of 47, and his father died the following year, leaving Davis a teenager. After their deaths, he moved in with his married sister who lived in Bayside, Queens.
Davis pursued higher education at the New York University College of Arts & Science, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in political science in 1953 and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He earned a full scholarship to Harvard Law School, where he served on the Board of Student Advisers and graduated in 1956.
Career
Davis began his career in a small New York law firm, later joining Rosenman, Colin, Kaye, Petschek, and Freund, where CBS was a client. He became assistant counsel at Columbia Records at age 28, then general counsel a year later. In 1965, he was promoted to administrative vice president and general manager of Columbia Records Group, later heading CBS Records.
Davis signed notable artists like Donovan, Janis Joplin, Santana, Bruce Springsteen, and Aerosmith. He played a key role in launching hits like Lynn Anderson’s “Rose Garden” and Earth, Wind & Fire, cementing his influence in the music industry.
Personal life
Clive Davis has been married and divorced twice, first to Helen Cohen (1956-1965) and then to Janet Adelberg (1965-1985). He has four children: Fred, a media investment banker; Lauren, an entertainment attorney and professor at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts; Mitchell; and Doug, a Grammy-winning music executive.
In 2013, Davis came out as bisexual in his autobiography, The Soundtrack of My Life. He expressed hope that his revelation would lead to greater understanding of bisexuality.
Who all has Clive Davis signed?
Over his illustrious career, Davis has signed a myriad of talents including Simon & Garfunkel, Sly & The Family Stone, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Andy Williams, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock, and Weather Report, among others.
Conclusion
The legacy of Clive Davis is a testament to his love for music, his ability to recognize talent, and his strategic acumen in the music business. From the streets of Brooklyn to the pinnacle of the music industry, Davis’s journey is nothing short of inspirational.
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FAQs about Clive Davis’s Net Worth
- How much is Clive Davis worth?
Clive Davis boasts a net worth of $850 million. - How many Grammys has Clive Davis won?
He has won a total of five Grammy Awards. - Who was Clive Davis’s most successful artist?
Whitney Houston remains his most successful discovery and artist. - Which famous artists has Clive Davis signed?
He has signed legendary artists like Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, and Barry Manilow, among others. - What is Clive Davis’s current role in the music industry?
As of 2018, he has been serving as the chief creative officer of Sony Music Entertainment.
