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Clive Jay Davis was born on April 4, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York, into a Jewish middle-class family. His father worked as an electrician and also had a career in sales. Davis’s early life took a tragic turn when he lost both of his parents during his teenage years—his mother passed away at age 47, followed a year later by his father's death. Left without a home or financial support, Davis was taken in by his married sister, who resided in New York City.
Despite the hardships, Davis remained focused on his academic goals. He earned a full scholarship to New York University College of Arts and Science, where he graduated magna cum laude and was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa. He later received a second full scholarship to attend Harvard Law School. While at Harvard, he also served on the Board of Student Advisors, further showcasing his academic dedication and leadership capabilities.
Following his graduation from Harvard Law School, Davis began working at a small New York law firm before joining Roseman & Colin, a prestigious firm known for its expertise in estate and trust planning, real estate, intellectual property, and litigation. His legal expertise and connections eventually led to a pivotal opportunity when his former colleague Harvey Schein recruited him to CBS. At just 28 years old, Davis became assistant counsel at the broadcasting giant.
Davis steadily climbed the corporate ladder at CBS, progressing from assistant counsel to general counsel, then to administrative Vice President, General Manager, and eventually President of Columbia Records, CBS’s newly established music division. His time at Columbia was marked by numerous innovations and signings that reshaped the industry.
After leaving CBS, Davis founded Arista Records in 1974. Under his leadership, Arista became one of the most influential labels in the music industry. He later founded J Records and was appointed CEO of RCA Music Group, J Records, and BMG North America. Each of these roles further solidified his reputation as a key figure in music talent discovery and development.
As of 2015, Clive Davis holds the title of Chief Creative Officer at Sony Music Entertainment. In this role, he oversees talent acquisition and career development for major artists. Some of the artists whose careers he has shaped or continues to guide include Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson, and TLC.
He is a five-time Grammy Award winner and a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in the non-performer category. One of his most celebrated achievements includes launching the career of Whitney Houston, whom he signed and mentored.
Clive Davis has played a pivotal role in evolving the soundscape of folk rock and rock and roll. He has been instrumental in bringing many legendary artists into mainstream success, such as Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Janis Joplin, Earth, Wind & Fire, The Kinks, and Carlos Santana. His influence in shaping musical trends and identifying talent is considered unparalleled in the industry.
In his memoir, The Soundtrack of My Life, Davis publicly came out as bisexual. He revealed that he has been in a committed relationship with a male doctor since 2004. Previously, Davis was married and divorced twice and is a father of four children and grandfather to six.
Known for his professional attire, Davis is frequently seen wearing tailored suits and is noted for coordinating his tie with his pocket square. As of 2015, at the age of 83, he remains active in the music business. While he has experienced age-related hair loss, he is often seen wearing a signature wig.
Davis has faced a few controversies over the course of his career. Notably, he was dismissed from CBS in 1973 amidst allegations of using company funds for personal expenses. He was also associated with a pre-Grammy party in 2012 held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, which continued as a tribute event despite the passing of Whitney Houston in the same venue earlier that day.
Clive Davis maintains a presence on social media. As of 2015, he has 201,000 followers on Twitter and 26,900 followers on Instagram. His Twitter handle is @CliveDavis, and his bio reads:
"Chief Creative Officer, Sony Music. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Member. Grammy winner. Philanthropist. Proud Father & Grandfather. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clive-Davis/190338346685"
He joined Twitter in May 2010. More official information about his professional and personal life can be found on his official website, www.clivedavis.com, and his Wikipedia biography.
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