Clive Davis Dies at 94
The executive behind Whitney Houston and Janis Joplin shaped six decades of popular music.
Fame & Fortune Desk · June 23, 2026 · Based on reporting by Variety
Clive Davis, the Grammy-winning executive who steered Columbia, Arista, and J Records, died Monday at his Manhattan home at 94, Variety confirmed. His career spanned six decades. He had a golden ear for talent -- signing Janis Joplin, making Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston household names, and reviving the careers of Santana and Aretha Franklin.
His death triggered an outpouring of A-list tributes. Industry executives shared remembrances of the man who defined the modern hitmaker. From discovering raw talent to engineering blockbuster comebacks, Davis shaped popular music for generations. The chart-topping artists he championed remain among the best-selling acts in history.
