Farewell to the Last Music Mogul
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- Clive Davis died at age 94, prompting a high-profile funeral at New York’s Central Synagogue attended by Bruce Springsteen, Stevie Wonder, Usher, and other music icons.
- Diane Warren recalled Davis’ signature blend of ego and charm, noting his legendary Grammy gala speeches often ran long—with him doing most of the talking—though his funeral lasted just 90 minutes.
- Berry Gordy described Davis as a ‘treasured friend’ and ‘truly one of a kind,’ praising his rare ability to hear what others could not in both artists and songs.
- Rod Stewart credited Davis with reviving his career through the 2002 American standards album, recalling how Davis worked late into the night on arrangements and caught missed notes from afar.
- Carole Bayer Sager shared that Davis once gently rejected a song she co-wrote with Burt Bacharach, saying he was looking for an ‘incredible’ song, not just a good one—a hallmark of his exacting A&R standards.
- Larry Jackson highlighted Davis’ relentless curiosity in his final years, noting their regular meetings where Davis sought insights on new producers, songwriters, and releases to stay current.
- Rob Stringer flew in from London for the service, underscoring Davis’ global stature, while Kenny G, Jennifer Hudson, and Rabbi Angela Buchdahl performed, blending musical tribute with spiritual reflection.
Why it matters: Davis shaped the careers of dozens of stars and redefined A&R by pairing artists with songs that defied genre and expectation—his death marks the end of an era where a single executive could consistently forecast hits across rock, pop, R&B, and crossover acts, leaving a void no data-driven algorithm has yet filled.
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