Daniel Kreps
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Clive Davis, 1970s Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Hudson were expected to pay their respects to Clive Davis at the legendary record exec’s funeral Monday in New York City.
The service at Manhattan’s Central Synagogue opened with a performance of “Songbird” from Kenny G, one of the many blockbuster artists Davis signed during his illustrious career. Following an address and performance of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” from rabbi Angela Warnick Buchdahl, Dionne Warwick was the first to pay tribute to Davis.
“He was a dear friend, cared about Dionne” Warwick said. “There was not anything that he ever did that I didn’t get the first phone call: You will be there right? … He was always asking, ‘Where’s my Dionne. Well, I’m here today, Clive. Will always be here for you.”
Barry Manilow recalled his lengthy relationship with Davis, filled with big hits and also peppered with endearing arguments about Manilow’s career. For instance, he recalled Davis calling him repeatedly with an idea for an album: “He was so hung up with this idea, he called me twice, then three times a day,” Manilow said. “You know when that happened? Three weeks ago!”
Manilow added, “Clive has always been there for me. He believed in me from the very beginning. When you have someone believe in you so deeply, you feel that you can do anything. I will always be grateful to him for that.”
During his eulogy, Davis’ son, Doug, shared a letter written by Paul Simon, a longtime friend, and neighbor. “No one wants to find themselves speaking at a memorial for a dear friend,” Simon wrote. “No one wants to piece together a chain of sentences that will inadequately express the shock of loss, the deep sweet memories of times together, the love and admiration that was shared. And in my case, the closeness of our families.”
The letter continued: “So many stories, so many memories. Clive and I were friends for nearly 60 years. Two New Yorkers from the boroughs who shared the kinship of a similar background. A lifelong friendship, always staying in touch and occasionally sharing a dinner or a summer afternoon. With his loss, now I wish we could have spent more time together. More time, more time. Comfortable in each other’s company. Conversation that was always interesting, ranging from music to family to politics to back to music.”
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Simon also praised Davis for being a “a Harvard educated lawyer,” who nevertheless “had an uncanny grasp of popular music.” He recalled the first time he and Art Garfunkel played Davis “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”: “He sat immersed in the music and then he turned to us and said, ‘That may be the most remarkable record I think I’ve ever heard.’ Or maybe I’m misremembering and he said, ‘What else ya got?’ But I think he liked it.”
Davis died June 22 at the age of 94, with a rep for the mogul saying he “passed away peacefully from age-related illness … surrounded by his family and loved ones.” Throughout his extraordinary seven decades in the music industry, Davis gained a reputation as a tireless champion of artists he believed in and a sharp businessman.
Following Davis’ death, Keys was among the wave of legendary artists crediting Davis for being pivotal at the start of their careers. “Clive Davis changed my life forever,” Keys wrote in her tribute. “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!”
