‘A Giant of a Man’: Rod Stewart, Carlos Santana, Patti Smith, More Pay Tribute to Clive Davis

Rod Stewart was among the many artists who said their storied music careers flourished with the support of Clive Davis, paying tribute to the beloved music executive after his death Monday aged 94. 

“I owe Clive so much,” Stewart wrote. “[He was] the force behind J Records, he was the only one who believed a rock singer could sing the standards with conviction. Other labels rejected the idea, and so The Great American Songbook was born, selling close to 40 million copies.”

Davis, who served in the top spots of institutional record labels like Sony, Columbia, and Arista, “was a giant of a man in the music business,” Stewart added. “We had some wonderful, unforgettable times together, but for now, Mr. Davis, it’s goodbye, my dear friend.”

A wave of other tributes flooded in throughout Monday, including Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Carlos Santana, and Neil Diamond, who all similarly credited Davis in being imperative to their starts in the music business. 

“Over here on E Street, we mourn the death of the great record man and close friend Clive Davis,” Springsteen wrote, noting the pair’s 50-year-old friendship that began in the 1970s. “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.”

“Clive Davis convinced me to sign with Columbia Records many years ago,” Joel said in a statement. “He recognized the talent of great musicians and understood the power of contemporary music. I will always be grateful to Clive for his recognition of the critical importance of songwriting. He undoubtedly enhanced the stature of the music industry during his tenure as president of Columbia Records.”

Carlos Santana hailed Davis as a “visionary” who could “hear the intangible before anyone else could see it,” and actively encouraged “artists to trust their own voice and step into their destiny.”  Editor’s picks The 250 Greatest Albums of the 21st Century So Far The 100 Best TV Episodes of All Time The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time 100 Best Movies of the 21st Century

Barry Manilow called Davis “family,” noting they had their fair share of both laughs and arguments over a span of 50 years, where they worked on hits like Manilow’s breakout “Mandy.” “I wish we could do it all again,” Manilow added.

“The music industry has lost a titan with the passing of Clive Davis,” Neil Diamond said in a statement. “He was the first to sign me to the big leagues after being on independent labels, a move which catapulted my career. I will always be grateful to him for that and will miss his presence in the business.” 

Patti Smith, who signed to Arista under Davis, thanked him for “believing in me, shepherding my efforts and a half century of your love and support.” Trending Stories Clive Davis, Music Executive Who Signed Whitney Houston and Bruce Springsteen, Dead at 94 Karma: Metallica’s Kirk Hammett Falls Off Stage Days After Enraging Swifties Trump Is Melting Down and Threatening Jail Time Over Reflecting Pool Disaster Evan Introduces Himself on His Own Terms With ‘Ride or Die’

Melissa Manchester, who worked with Davis at Arista, remembered him in a tribute. “I struggled with Clive’s vision for my career sometimes. He struggled to understand me sometimes. I’d had great success and withering disappointments with him but, in the end, I was grateful that he believed in my talent in an unwavering way for so long,” said Manchester. She said he told her, “’Call me whenever you’re performing in town. I’ll come.’” She added, “I swear I was just about to call him. Rest easy now, Clive, and Thank You!”

In addition to signing greats like Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Gladys Knight, Davis continued to champion a younger generation of artists, including Alicia Keys, who said he was leaving an “indelible mark on music and lives worldwide.”