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From Whitney Houston to Bruce Springsteen, see the artists Clive Davis discovered

June 22, 2026, 1:10 p.m. ET
Music titan Clive Davis has died at 94. Often described as the man with the "golden ear," Davis helped launch some of the most lucrative record labels in the industry along with a class of some of its greatest talents. From Whitney Houston to Bruce Springsteen, see all the stars Davis discovered or helped break through in his illustrious career. Pictured, Davis attends the Apple Music Los Angeles premiere of "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives" in 2017.
Music titan Clive Davis has died at 94.

Often described as the man with the "golden ear," Davis helped launch some of the most lucrative record labels in the industry along with a class of some of its greatest talents.

From Whitney Houston to Bruce Springsteen, see all the stars Davis discovered or helped break through in his illustrious career. Pictured, Davis attends the Apple Music Los Angeles premiere of "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives" in 2017.
Phillip Faraone, Getty Images For Apple Music
Perhaps one of the most prominent artists Davis is credited with discovering, Whitney Houston signed her first ever record deal with the mogul in 1983. The singer was only 19-years-old when Davis brought her on as an artist at Arista Records. Pictured here, Houston and Davis, right, at an event to celebrate her debut album "Whitney Houston" in 1985 in New York City.
Perhaps one of the most prominent artists Davis is credited with discovering, Whitney Houston signed her first ever record deal with the mogul in 1983. The singer was only 19-years-old when Davis brought her on as an artist at Arista Records.

Pictured here, Houston and Davis, right, at an event to celebrate her debut album "Whitney Houston" in 1985 in New York City.
Peter Carrette Archive, Getty Images
Though he may not have discovered Aretha Franklin, Davis fostered a long collaboration with the singer after she signed on to Arista Records in 1980. Davis, left, and Franklin attend an event together here in 1992.
Though he may not have discovered Aretha Franklin, Davis fostered a long collaboration with the singer after she signed on to Arista Records in 1980.

Davis, left, and Franklin attend an event together here in 1992.
Hulton Archive, Getty Images
Another one of Davis' most celebrated discoveries, the music mogul signed a young Bruce Springsteen onto Columbia Records in 1972.
Another one of Davis' most celebrated discoveries, the music mogul signed a young Bruce Springsteen onto Columbia Records in 1972.
Monty Fresco/Evening Standard, Getty Images
Davis famously discovered rock band Aerosmith in the early '70s and signed them onto Columbia Records in 1972. Pictured, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer, Brad Whitford, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards.
Davis famously discovered rock band Aerosmith in the early '70s and signed them onto Columbia Records in 1972.

Pictured, Tom Hamilton, Joey Kramer, Brad Whitford, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards.
Vince Bucci, AFP Via Getty Images
Another one of his longest music partnerships, Davis originally discovered and signed Barry Manilow in 1984. Pictured, Davis and Manilow arrive at the 17th Annual Mercedes-Benz Carousel of Hope Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Oct. 28, 2006, in Beverly Hills, California.
Another one of his longest music partnerships, Davis originally discovered and signed Barry Manilow in 1984.

Pictured, Davis and Manilow arrive at the 17th Annual Mercedes-Benz Carousel of Hope Ball at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Oct. 28, 2006, in Beverly Hills, California.
Michael Buckner, Getty Images
Davis originally signed legendary music group Santana to Columbia Records in 1968. Davis later reunited with Carlos Santana at Arista Records in 1999. Pictured, Carlos Santana and Davis, right, at the 2000 Grammy Awards.
Davis originally signed legendary music group Santana to Columbia Records in 1968. Davis later reunited with Carlos Santana at Arista Records in 1999.

Pictured, Carlos Santana and Davis, right, at the 2000 Grammy Awards.
Scott Gries, Getty Images
Davis is also credited with signing Billy Joel to Columbia Records in 1973.
Davis is also credited with signing Billy Joel to Columbia Records in 1973.
Express Newspapers, Getty Images
Adding to the list of music groups he helped break out, Davis signed psychedelic pop group Pink Floyd in the early 1970s. From left to right, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Syd Barrett and Rick Wright.
Adding to the list of music groups he helped break out, Davis signed psychedelic pop group Pink Floyd in the early 1970s.

From left to right, Roger Waters, Nick Mason, Syd Barrett and Rick Wright.
Keystone Features, Getty Images
Davis helped revive Carly Simon's career after she signed on to Arista Records in 1986. Simon released her Platinum-certified album "Coming Around Again" the following year. Pictured, Simon and Davis at the Clive Davis and the Recording Academy's 2016 Pre-Grammy Gala.
Davis helped revive Carly Simon's career after she signed on to Arista Records in 1986. Simon released her Platinum-certified album "Coming Around Again" the following year.

Pictured, Simon and Davis at the Clive Davis and the Recording Academy's 2016 Pre-Grammy Gala.
MARK RALSTON, AFP Via Getty Images
One of the first major artists he discovered, Davis signed Janis Joplin and her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, to Columbia Records in 1967.
One of the first major artists he discovered, Davis signed Janis Joplin and her band, Big Brother and the Holding Company, to Columbia Records in 1967.
Evening Standard, Getty Images
Sly Stone (Sylvester Stewart) of Sly and the Family Stone relaxes with Davis on Sept. 27, 1973, in Los Angeles. Davis and Stone first began working together in 1967.
Sly Stone (Sylvester Stewart) of Sly and the Family Stone relaxes with Davis on Sept. 27, 1973, in Los Angeles. Davis and Stone first began working together in 1967.
Michael Ochs Archives, Getty Images
Davis helped revive Dionne Warwick's career after signing her on to Arista Records in 1979. Pictured, Warwick and Davis attend The G & P Foundation For Cancer Research salutes The World of Entertainment and Media at The Angel Ball, Oct. 27, 2003, in New York.
Davis helped revive Dionne Warwick's career after signing her on to Arista Records in 1979.

Pictured, Warwick and Davis attend The G & P Foundation For Cancer Research salutes The World of Entertainment and Media at The Angel Ball, Oct. 27, 2003, in New York.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
Davis helped discover and sign rock band Chicago in the late 1960s. From left to right, Laudir de Oliveira, Peter Cetera, Terry Kath and Danny Seraphine in 1976.
Davis helped discover and sign rock band Chicago in the late 1960s.

From left to right, Laudir de Oliveira, Peter Cetera, Terry Kath and Danny Seraphine in 1976.
Evening Standard/Hulton Archive, Getty Images
After co-finding his new record label LaFace records, Davis signed on Grammy-winning artist Toni Braxton in 1989.
After co-finding his new record label LaFace records, Davis signed on Grammy-winning artist Toni Braxton in 1989.
TIMOTHY CLARY, AFP Via Getty Images
As part of his venture with LaFace records, Davis helped spearhead the beginnings of Usher's career in the early 1990s. Usher was notably signed onto the record label by L.A. Reid. Pictured here, Davis and Usher, right, arrive to the 32nd annual American Music Awards in 2004.
As part of his venture with LaFace records, Davis helped spearhead the beginnings of Usher's career in the early 1990s. Usher was notably signed onto the record label by L.A. Reid.

Pictured here, Davis and Usher, right, arrive to the 32nd annual American Music Awards in 2004.
Frank Micelotta, Getty Images
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