Alicia Keys Honors Clive Davis at 94, Saying He Changed Her Life Forever
Updated
Updated · Rolling Stone · Jun 24
Alicia Keys Honors Clive Davis at 94, Saying He Changed Her Life Forever
3 articles · Updated · Rolling Stone · Jun 24
Summary
Alicia Keys said Clive Davis "changed my life forever," crediting the executive who died at 94 with believing in her when she was 18 and few others did.
Keys said Davis became the first person of his stature to truly care about her future after Peter Edge introduced them in 1998, later making her a flagship artist at his new label, J Records.
Her social media tribute said Davis stood beside her through every chapter with real love for her potential, adding that without his early faith, fans might never have known her music.
Davis' representative said he died peacefully from an age-related illness surrounded by family, closing a seven-decade career that helped shape stars from Whitney Houston to Kelly Clarkson.
Clive Davis shaped music for 50 years. What unreleased masterpieces and untold artist stories are now locked in his archives?
He built empires after being fired. What was the secret to Clive Davis's legendary ear for discovering music superstars?
Clive Davis Dies at 94: Five Decades of Shaping the Sound and Business of Modern Music
Overview
Clive Davis, a legendary music executive and starmaker for over five decades, passed away peacefully at home on June 22, 2026, after facing a brief respiratory infection and hospitalization. His death marks the end of an era for the music industry, as he remained deeply passionate about music until his final days. Davis's lifelong dedication to discovering and nurturing talent shaped the careers of countless artists and transformed the sound of modern music. His passing leaves a significant void, prompting reflection on his immense influence and the lasting legacy he leaves behind.