Clive Davis, music mogul behind Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen, dies aged 94

Clive Davis, music mogul behind Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen, dies aged 94Just nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMark SavageMusic correspondentPA MediaClive Davis is one of the few music industry executives who became a well-known figure outside the boardroomClive Davis, one of the most influential music executives in the history of rock and pop, has died at the age of 94.A former head of Colombia and Arista Records, he signed and shaped the careers of artists including Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Whitney Houston, Santana, Janis Joplin, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and many others. He had recently been in hospital with respiratory problems and was recovering at home in Manhattan, New York, when he died, his family said."To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives," they said in a statement. "He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations."To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the centre of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love."Born in Brooklyn on 4 April, 1932, he grew up in the Crown Heights neighbourhood.He graduated from Harvard Law School and had no knowledge of the music industry when he took a job at Columbia Records at the age of 28 - but he took night classes to educate himself on copyright law, contracts and litigation.Davis used that knowledge to help defeat a federal antitrust suit over Columbia's mail-order record club; and handled delicate contract talks with young stars like Bob Dylan and Barbra Streisand.'A natural ear'He was promoted to vice president of the record label in 1965 and shortly after became president. Among the acts he signed were Santana, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd and Springst...