Clive Davis, the 93-year-old record executive who shaped the careers of Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and Kelly Clarkson, has been hospitalized in New York City, TMZ reported exclusively Friday.
A spokesperson for Davis confirmed he was admitted to a Manhattan hospital Friday evening after developing an upper respiratory infection. Doctors chose to admit him out of an abundance of caution. He is expected to be discharged within 24 hours.
The hospitalization marks Davis’s second notable health scare in recent years. In February 2021, he was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a condition causing temporary facial muscle weakness, from which he subsequently recovered.
Davis is widely regarded as one of the most powerful and influential figures in the history of the American recording industry. Over a career spanning more than six decades, he founded Arista Records in 1975 and later launched J Records, signing artists who defined entire eras of popular music.
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It was Davis who first recognized Whitney Houston’s extraordinary talent, signing her in 1983 and steering her to international superstardom. Houston’s self-titled debut album sold more than 22 million copies worldwide. Davis remained one of her closest confidants until her death in February 2012.
His roster of discovered and developed artists also includes Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana, Janis Joplin, Patti Smith, and Alicia Keys. He co-founded Bad Boy Records alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs and played a central role in launching Kelly Clarkson’s recording career following her 2002 American Idol victory.
In 2000, Davis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the non-performers category — one of only a handful of executives ever to receive that distinction. The 200-seat theater at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles bears his name.
Davis is also celebrated for his annual pre-Grammy gala, considered the most exclusive gathering in the music business, drawing the industry’s biggest names each February.
No additional details regarding his condition have been disclosed. His spokesperson has not indicated whether any upcoming appearances or events will be affected by the hospitalization.
