May 17, 2006
Classic tracks recorded under Clive Davis as record industry executive.
More Digital Download Lists.
1. Big Brother and the Holding Company - PIece of My Heart
As a result of their stunning performance at the 1967 Monterey Pop Festival, Clive Davis personally signed Big Brother and the Holding Company, with their lead vocalist Janis Joplin, to a contract with Columbia Records.
2. Bob Dylan - A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall
Clive Davis was a young Harvard educated lawyer when he joined Columbia Records to work on contracts. One of his first assignments was renegotiating Bob Dylan's contract.
3. Aretha Franklin - Freeway of Love
After signing onto Clive Davis' Arista Records, Aretha Franklin's career was revitalized in the mid-1980's with some of the biggest pop hits of her career.
4. Whitney Houston - I Wanna Dance With Somebody
Other record labels had offered Whitney Houston contracts, but Clive Davis and his label Arista were the first to successfully sign the talented young singer.
5. Billy Joel - Angry Young Man
Clive Davis signed Billy Joel to Columbia Records in 1973, but Davis was fired the same year for alleged mismanagement of funds. He formed Arista Records the following year.
6. Alicia Keys - Karma
Alicia Keys was one of the first artists signed to Clive Davis' J Records label.
7. Puff Daddy and the Family - I'll Be Missing You
Following Sean "Puffy" Combs firing from Uptown Records, Clive Davis financed the formation of the label Bad Boy Entertainment which has turned into one of the biggest recording entities in hip hop.
8. Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run
Bruce Springsteen is one of Clive Davis' most legendary discoveries. He was signed to Columbia Records in the early 1970's.
9. TLC - Creep
Clive Davis helped LA Reid and Babyface form LaFace Records. TLC became one of LaFace's cornerstone artists.
10. Luther Vandross - Dance With My Father
Clive Davis helped generate a late career renaissance for Luther Vandross by signing him to record for J Records.
