Clive Davis, the influential music mogul dubbed “the man with the golden ears,” has died at the age of 94, his family confirmed through a social media post. His publicist also confirmed the news to CNN. Davis, who had recently been hospitalized for an upper respiratory infection, was described by his family as both a significant figure in the music industry and a man of grace and kindness who led his family with generosity and care.

A Career Built on Instinct and Vision

Born in Brooklyn in 1932 to a Jewish family, Davis never intended to build a career in music. After his parents died in his late teens, he graduated from Harvard Law School and worked as a lawyer before joining Columbia Records in 1960. By 1967, he had become Columbia’s president, a position he credited to instinct rather than intention.

“I was thrust into it,” Davis told CNN in 2013. “Never knowing I had a natural ear and gift for music that,” he said, “would become the passion of my life.” His uncanny ability to identify talent led to the discovery of icons like Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana, Earth, Wind and Fire, and Barry Manilow.

In his 2013 memoir, “The Soundtrack of My Life,” Davis recalled seeing Joplin perform at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival. He described her as “not conventionally beautiful,” but “her body seemed to vibrate with the modulations of her voice.” Springsteen, in a tribute, credited Davis with changing his life when he signed the musician to Columbia in his early 20s.

From Legal Background to Musical Legacy

Before entering the music business, Davis faced personal hardship. His parents died when he was a teenager, and he relied on a small inheritance and academic success to finish his studies. “I had $4,000 to get through college and law school,” he once said. “That taught me a good work ethic.”

After working as a lawyer, Davis joined Columbia Records and quickly rose through the ranks. He founded Arista Records in 1975 and later co-founded Bad Boy Records with Sean “Diddy” Combs. According to TMZ, Davis was hospitalized in New York in May 2024 for an upper respiratory infection and was expected to be released within 24 hours. Rolling Stone reported he had been discharged earlier this month.

His influence extended beyond signings—he was known for his annual Grammy after-parties and for being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000 in the non-performers category. The Grammy Museum also named a 200-seat theater after him.

A Lasting Cultural Impact

Artists and bands often referenced Davis in their work, acknowledging his influence on the industry. The Grateful Dead, who had been under Warner Brothers when Davis was at Columbia, later changed lyrics from “We used to play for silver, now we play for life” to “We used to play for acid, now we play for Clive.” Gitarrist Bob Weir once said Davis was the only suited man the band trusted.

His legacy includes promoting the careers of Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Kelly Clarkson, and Alicia Keys, among many others. Rolling Stone reported that Davis died “peacefully in the company of his family and loved ones from an age-related illness.”

Outside of his music career, Davis had two marriages that ended in divorce and fathered four children. He had largely stepped back from the public eye, but in 2022, he celebrated his 90th birthday with a star-studded party and a mini documentary. In 2021, he was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, according to TMZ.

Davis’s impact on the music world was recognized globally. He was described by his family as a towering figure whose influence changed music forever. His ability to spot talent and his commitment to nurturing artists helped shape the sound of multiple generations.