After departing from Arista Records, Clive Davis was looking for his next flagship artist to lead the launch of J Records. Enter Alicia Keys, who quickly blossomed into a superstar with her Songs in ‘A’ Minor debut album in 2001. And now, the musician is paying tribute to the mogul after his Monday (June 22) death.
The Grammy-winning singer added to the outpouring of tributes to Davis on Tuesday (June 23) with a heartfelt post to Instagram, in which she thanked him for believing in her from the start.
“Clive Davis changed my life forever,” she began. “He believed in me from the very beginning, when I was just 18 years old, and very few saw what I was capable of! He has stood beside me through every chapter that followed. Not just in that fake industry way but in a way that was full of love for how unlimited I could be! He called me a renaissance woman! It’s one of my favorite descriptions. It reminds me to be boundless.”
“His impact reaches far beyond music. It lives in the countless artists he championed, the dreams he helped bring to life, and the love he poured into so many! If he didn’t see in me the glimmer of what was to become, you and I may have never known each other and be on this deep musical journey.”
Keys continued: “We will celebrate your extraordinary life, legacy, and heart today and always. You will be missed beyond words but I am so grateful to have had you for as long as I did.”
The legendary music executive passed away at his New York home from age-related illness at the age of 94. Davis and Keys remained close over the years, and were hanging out together at the Gordon Parks Foundation Awards Dinner in May.
Alicia Keys’ first three albums under J Records topped the Billboard 200. She’s notched four No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 along with 17 Grammys throughout her decorated career.
“To Clive Davis, the visionary who transformed dreams into reality,” she added in a post to her IG Stories on Monday. “Leaving an indelible mark on music and lives worldwide.”
Tributes have continued to pour in from across the music industry, with stars such as Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Jennifer Hudson, Dionne Warwick and the Whitney Houston estate all paying homage to Clive Davis, the man with the golden ears.
Davis is survived by his partner, Greg Schriefer, sons Fred, Doug and Mitchell, daughter Lauren, eight grandchildren (Austin, Charlie, Matthew, Hayley, Harper, Sloane, Billie and Cody), two great-grandchildren and cousin Jo Schuman.
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