Today I recorded a solo episode to reflect on my interactions with Clive, the parts of his legacy that get overlooked, and what I think his real edge was. Hint: I know he was called “golden ears,” but I don’t believe that’s the true edge.
You can listen here or read below.
Clive’s run with Whitney Houston is the era he’s most known and celebrated for. They dominated the 80s and early 90s with hit after hit. But the era I’m most impressed with is his 1999 to 2007 range.
From Santana’s Supernatural album to leaving Arista, starting J Records, Alicia Keys, Luther Vandross, and Maroon 5. That’s the most impressive era. He helped legacy artists reach new heights and revived his own career.
His career arc reminds me of Pat Riley, almost to a tee.
Most people remember Riley for his 80s and 90s success with the flashy Showtime Lakers and the gritty New York Knicks teams. But I’d argue Riley’s run with the Miami Heat is the most impressive.
In 1995, Riley took over a young Miami Heat franchise as both head coach and key architect behind its success. They were contenders in the late 90s, champions in 2006, title defenders in the 2010s, and one of the few teams to make multiple NBA Finals in the parity-driven 2020s.
Davis and Riley were known for their strict systems. Clive was heavily involved in song selection, image creation, producers, and more. “Laid back” was not his approach. Riley was just as exacting. “Heat Culture” is an identity few teams have. It’s built on guys who can hustle, punch above their weight class, maintain low body fat, and keep up with the intense conditioning standards.
Both, unironically, had moments where their desire for control may have been too strong. Pat Riley’s cookies incident with LeBron James is a classic example. For Clive, his tense relationship with Kelly Clarkson is another one.
Yet that same need for control is what kept them in the mix and helped them attract top talent. Clive told me his proudest career achievement was that most of his Arista staff followed him to J Records. He continued to attract top artists into his 70s.
Riley has his own version of that loyalty story. In 2008, he handed the head coaching job to Erik Spoelstra, then a 37-year-old assistant with no prior head coaching experience. Spoelstra is now the longest-tenured head coach across all four major US pro sports leagues. That’s not a coincidence. The franchise continues to be a top destination for superstar talent, including its recent trade for two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo.
If Riley has Heat Culture, then Clive had Hit Culture. The business has changed quite a bit since Clive last ran a record label, but the need for a process to create sustainable careers may be stronger than ever.
Rest in peace, Clive Davis. My thoughts are with his family and closest friends.
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