Clive Jay Davis, born on April 4, 1932, in Brooklyn, New York, is a renowned American record producer, A&R executive, and lawyer. Davis's illustrious career in the music industry spans several decades, during which he became one of the most influential figures in music history. He attended Erasmus Hall High School and later graduated magna cum laude from New York University with a degree in political science. Davis then earned a full scholarship to Columbia Law School, graduating in 1956.

Davis began his career in the legal department of Columbia Records, a CBS subsidiary, and quickly rose through the ranks to become the president of CBS Records in 1967. His attendance at the Monterey Pop Festival that year marked a turning point, as he recognized the commercial potential of rock music. He signed Janis Joplin's Big Brother and the Holding Company, among other major acts like Santana, Bruce Springsteen, and Aerosmith.

In 1973, Davis was dismissed from CBS Records but soon founded Arista Records in 1974. Under his leadership, Arista launched the careers of Whitney Houston, Barry Manilow, and many other notable artists. Davis also played a vital role in the resurgence of artists like Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick. In 1983, he signed Whitney Houston, who became one of the best-selling artists of the 1980s and 1990s.

Davis continued to influence the music industry by founding J Records in 2000 and later serving as the chief creative officer for Sony Music Entertainment. His work has been recognized with five Grammy Awards, and he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. Davis's autobiography, "The Soundtrack of My Life," was published in 2013, chronicling his remarkable career and contributions to the music industry. As of 2018, he remains active as the chief creative officer of Sony Music Entertainment.