Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys and more to participate in Clive Davis' funeral
Washington, June 27
Music legends Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Dionne Warwick and several other artists are expected to take part in the funeral of legendary record executive Clive Davis, who died on Monday at the age of 94, Variety said.
According to the publication, the funeral is scheduled to be held in New York City on Monday, although the venue has not been disclosed. Sources told the publication that Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Dionne Warwick, Barry Manilow, Kenny G and Jennifer Hudson are among the artists expected to participate in the service, with more names likely to be added.
Davis, regarded as one of the most influential figures in the history of the music industry, played a defining role in shaping the careers of several generations of artists across pop, rock and R&B.
During a career spanning more than six decades, Davis led Columbia Records, Arista Records and J Records, helping transform the music business through landmark signings and artist development. At Columbia in the late 1960s, he expanded the label's focus into rock music, signing and nurturing acts such as Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana and Bruce Springsteen.
After leaving Columbia, Davis founded Arista Records, where he helped launch and build the careers of numerous stars, including Whitney Houston. Years later, following corporate restructuring in the music industry, he established J Records, which became the label that introduced Alicia Keys to mainstream audiences.
Known throughout the industry simply as "Clive," Davis was also recognised for hosting one of the music business' most high-profile Grammy Week events. His annual pre-Grammy gala, featuring performances by leading artists, eventually became an official Recording Academy event in 2009.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Growing up in Delhi, I only got to hear about these artists through pirated cassettes and late-night radio. But even then, I knew Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston were special. Clive Davis was the man behind the curtain, and for that, he deserves all the respect. It's a bit ironic that such a big funeral is happening in New York while most of the world remembers his artists through digital streams now. 🤔
Honest question: Is it just me, or does it feel like the music industry's golden era is behind us? Clive Davis signing Janis Joplin and Carlos Santana was legendary. Today, it's all about algorithms and TikTok trends. His funeral with Springsteen and Keys performing feels like a farewell to an entire epoch. As someone who still listens to vinyl in Mumbai, this hits hard. 🎸
I'm a bit conflicted here. While I respect his contributions, I can't help but think about how many Indian artists never got such global platforms. Our music industry has depth too—R.D. Burman, Lata Mangeshkar, A.R. Rahman. But Clive's story is still inspiring in its ambition. May his soul rest in peace. ☮️
Here in Bangalore, we often forget that the music we consume has these incredible backstories. Clive Davis essentially created the template for artist development. His pre-Grammy gala became legendary—it's like if our Filmfare Awards had someone hosting an even bigger party! The man lived 94 years full of music. That itself is a life well lived. 🎵
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