Clive Davis, famed producer who shaped the music industry, dies at 94

June 22 (UPI) --Clive Davis, the Grammy-winning music producer and record executive who helped skyrocket Whitney Houston and other household names to fame, has died.

Davis, the founder and former president of Arista Records, died Monday at his home in Manhattan, N.Y., Davis' rep confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter. The news follows his hospitalization for an upper respiratory infection.

Variety also reported Davis' death. He was 94.

Credited with signing and/or fostering such artists as Houston, Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana, Barry Manilow, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and Kelly Clarkson, Davis held positions at Columbia Records, Arista, J Records, RCA Music Group and Sony Music Entertainment during his six-decade career.

He was awarded five Grammys, including the Recording Academy's Trustees Award in 2000, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame the same year.

Davis hosted the lavish pre-Grammys Gala for decades, most recently Jan. 31 at the Beverly Hilton.

Beyond music, Davis was a philanthropist whose focus included cancer and AIDS research.

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This story was originally published June 22, 2026 at 12:44 PM.