RIP Clive Davis, THE man behind the music

[TigerVols]

https://people.com/clive-davis-music-executive-signed-whitney-houston-dead-age-94-7502331

 

[Huggy]

Legendary music guy even if his memoir was a bloated, name-dropping mess.

 

[Shropshire Slasher]

He might catch some flak for his relationship with Diddy. But he certainly shaped the music industry.

 

[Neutral Corner]

Whatever else Clive was, he had an ear for talent. He signed so many legends early in their careers. Donovan. Janis Joplin. Blood, Sweat and Tears. Santana. Springsteen. Pink Floyd. Chicago. Billy Joel. Aerosmith. Many many more.

 

[Huggy]

Whatever else Clive was, he had an ear for talent. He signed so many legends early in their careers. Donovan. Janis Joplin. Blood, Sweat and Tears. Santana. Springsteen. Pink Floyd. Chicago. Billy Joel. Aerosmith. Many many more.

In books like his, and the one Chris Blackwell wrote, I know all about their successes, I always enjoy hearing about artists they missed or whiffed on. Davis took credit for everything, I don't recall a lot of mentions of artists he signed that didn't work out. I remember Blackwell saying he saw little potential in Dire Straits.

 

[DanOregon]

It's crazy when you think how much of the recording industry of the last 50 years was dominated by just a few people. Davis, Quincy Jones and Irving Azoff. Who we heard, what we heard, how we heard it and where we heard it.

 

[Here me roar]

He may not have written the songs but he made so many of them possible. RIP to a true giant.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

He may not have written the songs but he made so many of them possible. RIP to a true giant.

... but he was at least partially responsible for discovering Barry Manilow, who did, um, write the songs ...

RIP to a giant.

 

[Here me roar]

... but he was at least partially responsible for discovering Barry Manilow, who did, um, write the songs ...

RIP to a giant.

Well, yes. I was a young girl in the 70s and Barry was the world. For a time. But thanks for the mansplain.

 

[Sam Mills 51]

Just tried to have fun with the segue.

Manilow's tribute to Chopin was stellar.