The life and influential career of record executive Clive Davis was honored at his funeral on Monday. Davis’ memorial service, which was closed to the public, was livestreamed at the synagogue.Davis launched the careers of many stars, including Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys and Kenny G, and influenced others such as Carlos Santana, Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead. Davis died on June 22 in his Manhattan apartment at the age of 94, a few weeks after being hospitalized for an upper respiratory issue.
The stars turned out for Clive Davis’ funeral
Dionne Warwick, Kenny G and Gayle King were among the stars seen walking into the service Monday morning. No details have been released about who may speak or perform at the service.
The stars pay tribute to Clive Davis
According to Variety, music legends Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and other stars paid heartfelt tributes to the legendary record executive, celebrating his extraordinary life and lasting impact on the music industry. The ceremony featured many inspirational speeches from Springsteen, Keys, Barry Manilow, Dionne Warwick, and Davis’ children, Fred and Doug.Jennifer Hudson gave a powerful musical performance that served as one of the emotional highlights of the service.
WATCH: Jennifer Hudson performs ‘Hallelujah’
Alicia Keys pays tribute
In her tribute, as reported by Varitey, Keys recalled her first audition for Davis and opened up about the undying support and friendship he offered her during their years together. “You don’t just sign an artist. You get to know the soul,” Keys said. “You see not only the music I’ve made, but the music that’s still going on inside me, waiting for someone with the wisdom and courage to call it forward. You call it forward. You called me forward.”“I honor you, and I love you. I am because you believed I could be. Thank you for the music, for the vision, for the encouragement of friendship. Really every time, every time.”“Thank you for seeing me completely, completely from the beginning, even before I fully saw myself. With all my heart, all my soul, and every note I played,” Alicia concluded.
Bruce Springsteen remembers Clive Davis
Bruce Springsteen took the stage to say, “Clive was big and bombastic and bold and full of ideas and believed, believed, believed, believed,” he said. “He dresses like a king and he was born to run – everything!”“I tentatively strummed my guitar. I think I played ‘Growing Up’ and ‘up by Saint in the City. Songs that would normally be on my first album. And when I was done, Clive, smiling, simply said, ‘Welcome to Columbia Records.'”“And with those few words, he changed my life forever. Nothing has been the same since that day. That day, Clive showed a 22-year-old without the same warmth, the same kindness, the same respect that he would show me. After all my success in the next 50 years, nothing has changed.”He concludes, “He guides the listening public towards more powerful and inspiring music. And not only does he love the music, Clive really loves the people who make the music, no matter how much of a pain in the ass they are,” he laughs. “And he loved those people so much and permanently, with his loyalty, He let me know that he always felt that way about me. And I loved him back. I never felt anything but love from Clive.“
About Clive Davis:
Davis launched the careers of many stars, including Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys and Kenny G, and influenced others such as Carlos Santana, Janis Joplin and the Grateful Dead.He breathed new life into the careers of established artists like Aretha Franklin and Santana, and helped launch the careers of Keys and several early “American Idol” winners, including Kelly Clarkson’s.He is survived by his four children, sons Fred, Doug and Mitchell, daughter Lauren, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.