Clive Davis, one of the most influential figures in the history of the music business, will be laid to rest Monday morning at a private ceremony in New York. A source tells The Hollywood Reporter that many of the biggest superstars Davis worked with over his six-decade career will be in attendance.
Bruce Springsteen, Kenny G, Dionne Warwick, Barry Manilow, Jennifer Hudson, and Alicia Keys are all expected to participate in the ceremony, according to the source, who did not provide further details about the event.
Davis died at age 94 after suffering an age-related illness. He is survived by his children Fred, Lauren, Mitch, and Doug; his grandchildren Austin, Charlie, Matthew, Hayley, Harper, Sloane, Billie, and Cody; two great-grandchildren; cousin Jo; and partner Greg Schriefer.
His death prompted an immediate outpouring of tributes from across the entertainment industry. Davis started his career as an attorney before being appointed head of Columbia Records. He later founded Arista Records, where he signed Manilow, Warwick, Carly Simon, the Grateful Dead, and most notably Whitney Houston. By 2000, he had founded J Records, where he signed Keys and Rod Stewart.
Outside of running labels, Davis was long associated with the lavish parties he threw the night before the Grammy Awards, where legacy acts and emerging artists performed before a room full of industry power players and celebrities.
Springsteen addressed Davis's death on social media this week. Davis "changed my life when he signed me to Columbia Records," Springsteen wrote. Patti Smith also paid tribute, thanking Davis "for transforming music, and on a very personal note, for believing in me, shepherding my efforts and a half century of your love and support."
Prolific songwriter Diane Warren was more direct. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Warren said that "we lost the greatest music man of all time."
