Clive Davis, one of the most influential figures in American music and a four-time Grammy winner, died Monday at 94. His spokesperson told PEOPLE that he died of an age-related illness, and said he was surrounded by family and loved ones in his final hours.
Davis was born in 1932 in Brooklyn to a Jewish family. He studied law at Harvard University, joined Columbia Records as legal counsel, later became president of the company, and went on to found Arista Records and J Records. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he helped discover and launch major artists including Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston and Alicia Keys, earning a reputation as a key force in the industry.
After the October 7 attack, Davis publicly backed Israel. In an Instagram post, he wrote that he opposed “the murderous hatred” Hamas showed toward the people of Israel and supported Israel’s right “to eradicate terrorism.” He added that the issue was deeply personal because he had lived with the pain of antisemitism all his life, saying it brought back memories from childhood of soldiers returning from World War II with horrific images from concentration camps.
He also called the violence in the Middle East “a terrible human tragedy,” saying thousands of innocent people had been “brutally murdered,” many at a music festival and “so young.” Davis said fighting for equality and human rights was a lifelong mission, and added: “You cannot stay silent in the face of antisemitism, hatred or discrimination of any kind. I choose not to be silent in the face of the evil of terrorism.” He also urged leaders to seriously consider humanitarian concerns and the need to protect innocent lives. Davis leaves behind four children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His children worked in music and entertainment, and his son Doug once said they were not allowed to attend the Grammy party until age 16. Throughout his career, Davis won four Grammys, received Recording Academy honors, entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000, and got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
