BMI Remembers Legendary Music Executive & BMI Songwriter Clive Davis

Posted in News on June 22, 2026

BMI is saddened to learn that renowned music executive Clive Davis passed away today at the age of 94. One of the most influential figures in modern music, Davis helped shape the careers of some of the world’s most celebrated artists and songwriters while building labels that expanded the reach and impact of popular music across generations.

In addition to his countless successes supporting others in the music industry, he was a longtime BMI affiliate. He notably received co-writing credit on Air Supply’s megahit “All Out Of Love,” a BMI Award-winning song that has garnered millions of performances. Over the years, BMI executives have had the pleasure of speaking to music classes at the prestigious NYU Clive Davis Institute, helping students understand the essential function of a PRO in a songwriter’s career.

Raised in Brooklyn, Davis graduated from NYU and Harvard Law School before joining Columbia Records, where he became president in 1967. There, he helped usher the label into the rock era, signing Janis Joplin and championing artists like Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Earth, Wind & Fire, Neil Diamond and Pink Floyd. Davis went on to found Arista Records in 1974, developing a powerhouse roster that included Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, Aretha Franklin and Patti Smith. His later ventures, including LaFace Records, J Records, and Bad Boy Records, further shaped the sound of music and helped introduce artists such as The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans and Alicia Keys. Among his career defining achievements were bringing Whitney Houston to global stardom and reuniting with Santana for Supernatural, which became a worldwide success and won the GRAMMY Award for Album of the Year.

For over six decades, his instinct for talent, dedication to artist development and ability to connect songs with audiences helped advance the music industry and open doors for creators. Among his many accolades, Davis was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer and received the GRAMMY Trustees Award, as well as the Songwriters Hall of Fame Hitmakers Award.

BMI joins the music community in mourning his passing and celebrating a remarkable legacy defined by the artists and songwriters he believed in, the labels he built and the music he helped bring to the world.

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