There is little questions that Clive Davis, who died today at the age of 94, was one of the greatest music executives of all time. Over the course of his long career, he launched or oversaw key years of artists ranging from Whitney Houston to Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen to Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow to Aretha Franklin, Simon & Garfunkel to Santana, and many more.
As news of his death resonated on Monday, many of those artists posted tributes to him.
Bruce Springsteen: “Over here on E Street, we mourn the death of the great record man and close friend Clive Davis. At 22 years old, he changed my life when he signed me to Columbia Records. He treated me with the same respect and kindness as a 22-year-old nobody as he did after all my success. A great man. All our prayers and love.”
Carlos Santana: “Clive Davis was a visionary. He could hear the intangible before anyone else could see it. He believed in Santana from the beginning, and years later he believed in us again. That kind of faith is a beautiful blessing, and I will always be grateful.
“Clive understood that music is more than entertainment. Music is a healing force. It brings people together beyond fear, beyond separation, beyond borders. He dedicated his life to championing artists and helping them share their gifts with the world.
