Since news broke on Monday (June 22) that Clive Davis had passed away at the age of 94, the music world has been in mourning. One of the most influential music industry moguls of all time, Davis shepherded the careers of Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow and more, signed everyone from Janis Joplin to Kenny G and helped icons like Santana and Aretha Franklin score massive late-career chart victories.
One week after his death from age-related illness, Davis will be laid to rest at a private funeral in New York City at an undisclosed location. Befitting his impact and “golden ears,” the Monday (June 29) funeral will involve some of the biggest names in music. A source has confirmed to Billboard that Kenny G, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow, Bruce Springsteen and Dionne Warwick are all set to participate. It’s a roster of stars befitting a man whose legendary annual pre-Grammy galas routinely boasted legends and rising stars; it’s a diverse list of musical talent that speaks to Davis’ golden ears being genre-agnostic. Additional talent is expected to join the services as well.
“To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives,” the Davis family said in a statement. “He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations. To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love. No matter how extraordinary his professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved.”
Whether serving as the president of Columbia Records, leading his own label Arista, helping L.A. Reid and Babyface form LaFace Records, entering a joint venture with Bad Boy Records or founding J Records, Davis helped more than 60 songs top the Billboard Hot 100.
