Notable Black artists who were influenced by record executive Clive Davis
Music executive Clive Davis had a knack for finding and reviving the careers of Black recording artists.
Davis, who died at his home after battling respiratory problems Monday at age 94, held a career spanning six decades as the leader of Columbia, Arista and J Records. He was also instrumental in helping record executives fund and form their record companies.
Because of his ability to recognize potential superstars, he was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. He also earned multiple Grammy Awards as a producer.
Here are 12 Black artists and music companies whose careers Clive Davis helped launch, elevate or reinvent:
Whitney Houston
Singer Whitney Houston is Davis’ biggest success story.
In 1983, the New Jersey-born singer was signed to Arista and spent two years working on her self-titled debut album that has sold over 14 million copies. Houston went on to earn 11 No. 1 records on the Billboard pop charts, credit as the first Black artist with three Diamond albums for selling over 10 million copies each from the Recording Industry Association of America and one of the bestselling solo artists in history before her death at age 48 in 2012.
LaFace Records
Davis was responsible for Arista Records entering a joint venture with LaFace Records in 1989.
The record executive funded the Atlanta-based boutique record label founded by production duo Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Kenny “Babyface”Edmonds, which turned singers Toni Braxton and Usher, vocal trio TLC and rap group Outkast into superstars.
Reid went on to replace Davis as the head of Arista after his record label folded into its parent company in 2000.
Sly and the Family Stone
In the ‘60s, when artists released protest music, Davis knew the band Sly and the Family Stone had social messages that could cross over to radio and an image that could sell records.
The music executive signed the group led by late bandleader Sly Stone with various races and genders to Columbia in 1968. Their sound blending R&B, psychedelic rock and pop resulted in the hits “Dance to the Music,” “Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)” and “Everyday People,” which was instrumental in funk placing on the pop charts.
Earth, Wind & Fire
Davis added R&B band Earth, Wind & Fire to Columbia Records in 1972.
Late bandleader and founding member Maurice White was signed to Warner Bros. Records and became frustrated with the band’s direction and record deal. Davis signed the band to Columbia and gave White creative freedom to make them sound funkier and create songs with lyrics filled with positive affirmations.
The group famous for “Shining Star” and “That’s the Way of the World,” sold millions of records, earned Grammys and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
Dionne Warwick
Singer Dionne Warwick was ready to give up on being a recording artist until Davis convinced her she could still achieve mainstream success.
She released “Walk on By” and “Do You Know the Way to San Jose” in the 1960s before returning to the charts after Davis signed and teamed Warwick with her Arista labelmate, Barry Manilow. Manilow produced “I’ll Never Love This Way Again” and “Deja Vu,” which earned her a pair of Grammys. Warwick went on to become known for “Friends in Love,” “Heartbreaker” and the charitable “That’s What Friends Are For.”
Aretha Franklin
Soul singer Aretha Franklin saw Warwick’s career resurgence and knew Davis could work similar magic for her.
After Franklin signed to Arista in 1980, Davis connected the “Queen of Soul” with then-newcoming singer, songwriter and producer Luther Vandross for the up-tempo “Jump To It” two years later. The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, who first signed with Columbia in the early ‘60s, went on achieve commercial success with “Freeway of Love,” “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” and “A Rose is Still a Rose” until she died in 2018.
Monica
Atlanta-born singer Monica (Arnold) went from child star to outspoken woman on record under Davis.
Originally signed to producer Dallas Austin’s Rowdy Records, which was distributed through Arista, in 1993, Monica’s sophomore album, 1999’s “The Boy is Mine,” spawned three No. 1 pop singles and earned her a Grammy. She moved to J Records with Davis, where she became known for “So Gone” and continued to release albums through the label until 2010.
Luther Vandross
Luther Vandross wanted to refresh his smooth, seductive style of R&B for contemporary audiences when he joined Davis at J Records in 2000.
Vandross, who became one of the most prolific Black singers, songwriters and producers of the 1980s, had a relationship with the veteran music executive that originally developed from his collaborations with Franklin and Warwick. Before Vandross died in 2005, Davis connected the tenor with younger songwriters and producers for his million-selling, self-titled album released in 2001 and its Grammy-winning, chart-topping follow-up, “Dance With My Father,” two years later.
Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys helped establish Davis’ record company, J Records, as a viable force in music.
A New York native once signed to both Columbia and Arista, the singer, songwriter and pianist released her debut album, “Songs in A Minor,” in 2001. It debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard album charts and earned her five Grammys.
Keys continued to release albums and ventured into producing award-winning Broadway theater, cosmetics and bestselling books.
Angie Stone
Angie Stone had several musical identities as a pioneering female hip-hop artist in the Sequence, touring musician for Lenny Kravitz and member of R&B trio Vertical Hold.
Davis signed Stone to Arista, which established her as a solo artist, which led to her releasing her gold-certified debut album, “Black Diamond,” in 1999. It’s credited as part of the neo-soul movement. Stone switched to J Records under Davis for two follow-up albums, “Mahogany Soul” and “Stone Love.” Stone was a Black music staple until she died last year in an auto accident.
Fantasia (Barrino) and Jennifer Hudson
After competing on the third season of “American Idol,” contestants Jennifer Hudson and Fantasia Barrino (winner) were championed by Davis as J Records signees.
In 2004, Fantasia released “Free Yourself,” her million-selling debut album while Hudson’s gold-certified, self-titled debut came four years later. Fantasia continued to tour, build an acting career and earned a Grammy. Hudson, now a daytime television host, became one of the three Black women to earn EGOT status for winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.