Carlos Santana said Clive Davis was a believer in the Santana band — and its message of peace and unity — before anybody else.
“Clive Davis was a visionary. He could hear the intangible before anyone else could see it. He believed in Santana from the beginning, and years later, he believed in us again,” Santana said in a statement Monday morning, following Davis’s death in Manhattan at age 94. “That kind of faith is a beautiful blessing, and I will always be grateful.”
The Davis disciple and guitar trailblazer as headlined House of Blues at Mandalay Bay since 2012, and performed at The Joint at the Hard Rock Hotel (today’s Theater at Virgin Hotels) from 2009 to 2011.
A star-laden career
Davis was an omnipresent figure in the recording industry from the late 1960s onward. He rose from an in-house lawyer at Columbia Records after attending New York University and Harvard Law School to the label’s president.
Davis either ignited or revived the careers of a range of such superstars as Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Chicago, Neil Diamond, Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Santana, Barry Manilow and Rod Stewart. And that’s the short list.
Davis’s publicist, Aliza Rabinoff, confirmed his death on Monday. The rep shared a statement from his family:
“To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives. He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations.”
Manilow pays tribute
Westgate headliner Manilow, too, was close to Davis for decades. The music-industry powerhouse famously persuaded Manilow to issue the song “Brandy” as “Mandy” in 1974, which vaulted to No. 1 and effectively launched Manilow’s career.
Manilow posted on social media, “My heart is heavy with the loss of my friend Clive Davis. For fifty years, we worked together, created together, argued together, and celebrated together. Yes, some would say it was business. But to Clive, it never was. It was family. And I was honored to be a part of his. Thank you, Clive. I wish we could do it all again.”
’Lost for words!’
Similar to his work with Santana, Davis was instrumental in Rod Stewart’s career revival, with the five-album “Great American Songbook” series in the 2000s.
Stewart, resident headliner at the Colosseum since 2011, issued this emotional post:
“Lost for words! A day I’ve been dreading! A giant of a man in the music business. I owe Clive so much… [The Great American Songbook] was born, selling close to 40 million copies. We had some wonderful, unforgettable times together, but for now, Mr. Davis, it’s goodbye, my dear friend.”
A Woodstock launch
Davis signed Santana to Columbia Records in 1968. The executive with a sharp eye for talent had caught the band at the Fillmore West. He signed them immediately. This led to the release of the “Santana” debut album in August 1969, just ahead of the band’s breakout performance at Woodstock.
Davis and Santana reunited some 30 years later to co-produce the monster hit “Supernatural.” The album won nine Grammys, was No. 1 for 12 non-consecutive weeks on the Billboard charts, and has sold about 30 million units worldwide.
Santana said Davis understood music was a unifying art form.
“Clive understood that music is more than entertainment. Music is a healing force,” Santana said. “It brings people together beyond fear, beyond separation, beyond borders. He dedicated his life to championing artists and helping them share their gifts with the world.”
A solo for one
Davis attended the premiere of Santana’s documentary, “Carlos,” at Beacon Theatre in New York during the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023. Santana ventured to Davis, who was in the front row, and played a solo for the recording-industry legend, inviting Davis to play the guitar himself.
Davis demurred, fine to just watch Santana work his art.
From the stage, Santana thanked Davis and also the late trailblazing rock promoter Bill Graham. It was Graham who sent the young Santana on a tour of festivals across the country, which culminated in his thunderous performance at Woodstock in 1969.
“I’m thankful for so many people, especially Bill Graham and Clive Davis,” Santana said from the stage. “Both of them invested in me, emotionally, and financially, and because of them I was able to walk through a big door, which was Woodstock and ‘Supernatural.’”
In April 2024, Santana and Manilow were among the superstars to perform at Carnegie Hall for the New York Pops’ 41st birthday concert honoring Davis. Santana and Rob Thomas reunited for their 1999 smash “Smooth.”
Manilow closed the show with “This One’s For You.”
Special moment
In a spirited segment of his stage show at International Theater, Manilow revives the clip of his performance of “Mandy” on the March 14, 1975 episode of “The Midnight Special.” The number brings the crowd, past and present, to its feet.
Davis and the late recording star Mac Davis introduce the segment.
Clive Davis says of the song, “You look for that big, hit record. You look for that record to sweep this country. And you look for the record to go from here to around the world. It’s happening here, and it’ll happen everywhere. It’s happening in England, and it’ll happen from Hong Kong to Brazil.”
Davis then says, insistently, “Ladies and gentlemen, the newest star for America, Barry Manilow.” And a career is made.
John Katsilometes’ column runs daily in the A section. Contact him at [email protected]. Follow @johnnykats on X, @JohnnyKats1 on Instagram.