Music mogul Clive Davis was one of just a handful of non-performers in the business to become a household name.The former record company lawyer who became one of the music industry's most powerful figures has died. He was 94.Davis was responsible for launching or resurrecting the careers of superstars such as Whitney Houston, Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana and Alicia Keys.He also fostered the comebacks of stars such as Rod Stewart, Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick.Davis was hospitalised earlier this year after suffering an upper respiratory issue but was released a few days later.He died in his Manhattan apartment.In a statement posted to the Clive Davis Facebook page, his family said Davis was a towering figure whose influence changed music forever.They said he was also someone who led his family with grace, generosity and kindness."To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives," the statement read."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."His family said despite his extraordinary professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved.Davis's career spanned more than five decades.He worked across various genres and multiple labels, even directing the careers of everyone from Barry Manilow to American Idol winners Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson well into his 80s.Tributes flow for DavisMany stars have posted tributes to Davis since his death including Bruce Springsteen, who said Davis changed his life by signing him to Columbia Records as a 22-year-old.In a Facebook post, Barry Manilow said his heart was heavy over the loss of his friend."For fifty years we worked together, created together, argued together, and celebrated together," Manilow wrote."Yes, some would say it was business. But to Clive, it never was. It was family. And I was honoured to be a part of his."Alicia Keys shared a post in her Instagram stories that referred to Davis as a visionary who transformed dreams into reality.In a statement, Carlos Santana said Davis could hear the intangible before anyone else could see it.Singer/songwriter Diane Warren said she felt like she was losing a father and Harry Connick Jr called him a "giant" in the music industry.Success storiesDavis signed Houston to his Arista record label when she was a teenager prior to her staggering success.Houston amassed multiple number one hits and was one of the highest-selling artists in pop history.Alicia Keys, Clive Davis and Whitney Houston attend the Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party in 2008. (Reuters: Phil McCarten)Davis and Houston grew close personally and Houston thought of Davis as family.She died in a Los Angeles hotel room in 2012 after struggling with drug abuse, and hours before she was due to appear at the annual pre-Grammy Awards gala hosted by Davis.Manilow, who gave Davis a string of hits, was one of the first artists signed to Arista.Davis didn't just have an eye for new talent: he also knew how to keep veterans relevant decades after their first hit.While Aretha Franklin made her name at Atlantic Records, she later flourished under Davis at Arista.Luther Vandross made his last albums for another Davis label, J Records.Davis also conceived the 1999 album Supernatural, pairing Santana with some of the day's hottest talents.The record went on to win eight Grammys and gave Santana more success than he had ever enjoyed in his decades-long career.Davis also signed Sean "Diddy" Combs when he was an up-and-coming producer and later a music mogul in his own right, long before he was imprisoned.Davis had his strugglesDavis did not always make the right choices; he turned down a chance to sign up Meatloaf.He also had his struggles.Though he became president of Columbia Records in 1967 after joining the label in 1960 as a lawyer, by 1973 he was gone in a bitter falling-out.He was fired after the label accused him of mismanagement of funds.Davis says he was cleared but he was later indicted on tax evasion charges, pleading guilty to one count and paying a fine of $US10,000 ($14,300).However, Davis says Columbia gave him the money to start Arista Records to resolve the dispute, and the label would become a huge success with artists like Brooks & Dunn, TLC, Babyface, Houston, Franklin and others.But one of the successful acts was Milli Vanilli, who ended up becoming an embarrassment to the industry.In 2000, Arista ousted Davis, but its parent company BMG Entertainment helped Davis launch J Records. Luther Vandross was an initial signing, and it was where a young Keys made her name.Davis's influence grew even more when he was tapped for BMG's US division.He became a key backer of the careers of the winners of American Idol with the show's link to Sony BMG.In 2007, Davis disagreed with the direction of Clarkson's My December, and she publicly criticised him. The album was a flop, and she later apologised.In 2008, Sony BMG replaced Davis as chairman and chief executive officer of the BMG label group, giving him the title of chief creative officer, a role he held until his death.Davis was born on April 4, 1932, and had four children.In his memoir, he confirmed longtime rumours that he was bisexual and had been living with a man in recent years.He was portrayed in the Houston biopic I Wanna Dance with Somebody by Stanley Tucci. Davis was also a producer on the film.ABC/wires