Clive Davis, a towering figure in the music industry known for discovering and nurturing some of the biggest names in popular music, died on June 22 at his Manhattan home. He was 94. Davis’s family and representatives confirmed his passing, following hospitalization earlier in the year due to a respiratory infection.

Born on April 4, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York, Davis grew up in the Crown Heights neighborhood and pursued a legal education at New York University and Harvard Law School. After graduating, he joined Columbia Records as in-house counsel in 1960 and quickly rose through the ranks. By 1967, at age 35, he was named president of Columbia Records, a role in which he transformed the company’s music direction. His attendance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival marked a turning point, inspiring him to sign pioneering acts such as Janis Joplin and her band Big Brother and the Holding Company, Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, and Neil Diamond, helping usher rock music into the label’s traditionally conservative catalog.

Davis’s career was marked by his keen talent-spotting ability and business acumen. In 1974, after leaving Columbia amid controversy—including allegations of financial mismanagement and a tax evasion conviction which he later described as deeply humiliating—he founded Arista Records. Under his leadership, Arista became an influential powerhouse, producing numerous chart-topping artists and hits. He signed and developed careers of iconic performers such as Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Santana, and Barry Manilow. Davis played a pivotal role in broadening musical genres within mainstream audiences and was noted for sustaining the relevance of veteran artists alongside rising stars.

One of Davis’s most notable protégés was Whitney Houston, whom he signed as a teenager and helped propel to international stardom with multiple No. 1 hits. However, Houston’s career was later marred by struggles with drug addiction, and her death in 2012 profoundly affected Davis, occurring on the day of his annual pre-Grammy gala, a highly regarded event he hosted since 1975 that became a key platform for showcasing emerging talent. His influence extended into his later years, working with artists including “American Idol” winners Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

He also played a role in contentious moments of music history, such as the Milli Vanilli lip-sync scandal involving Arista artists in the 1990s, which Davis attributed to his label’s European division. Additionally, he was noted for his sometimes tough, business-first approach, focusing heavily on hit records, drawing both admiration and criticism.

In 2000, Davis was replaced at Arista by Antonio “L.A.” Reid but quickly launched J Records with significant backing, continuing to nurture new talent. In 2008, he took on the role of chief creative officer at Sony Music Entertainment, maintaining an active presence in the industry until his death.

Davis received numerous accolades including five Grammy Awards and his 2000 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. Over his decades-long career, he was celebrated for his relentless pursuit of excellence and his ability to combine a legal, business mindset with a passion for discovering music that resonated widely.

Open about his personal life later in his career, Davis acknowledged his bisexuality and maintained a longtime partnership with Greg Schriefer. He is survived by his four children—Fred, Doug, Mitchell, and Lauren—and his partner.

Davis’s legacy endures as one of the most influential architects of modern popular music, credited with shaping the soundtracks of multiple generations through his visionary talent development and executive leadership.