Clive's Collection: ARISTA Records. And himself.

Clive's Collection: ARISTA Records.   We are really enjoying the Clive Davis autobiography.  It's been fun reading about his massive and impactful career in the music business.   He's had huge roles in developing and resuscitating the careers of some many great recording artists.  Acts such as Janis Joplin, the Grateful Dead, Donovan, Simon & Garfunkel and many others on the Columbia label.  And then on to Arista (many shown above).   "After taking time out to write his memoirs, he then founded Arista Records (named after New York City's secondary school honor society of which he was a member, and it replaced Columbia Pictures' Bell Records label).  At Arista, Davis signed Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Patti Smith, The Outlaws, Eric Carmen, Exposé, Ace of Base, Air Supply, Ray Parker, Jr. and Raydio, and Alicia Keys, and he also brought to the label Carly Simon, The Grateful Dead, The Kinks, and Lou Reed.  Two thirds of the way into the book - we will next read how Clive founded Arista Nashville which became the home to Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Pam Tillis, and Brad Paisley.  Davis founded LaFace Records with L.A. Reid and Babyface.  LaFace subsequently became the home of TLC, Usher, Outkast, P!nk and Toni Braxton.  Clive founded Bad Boy Records with Sean Combs and it became the home of the Notorious B.I.G., Puffy Combs, Mase, 112, and Faith Evans.

   "In 1998 Davis signed LFO from European Success.  LFO Charted #1 with Summer Girls in 1999.  Going on to multi-platinum success.  Davis was made aware of Cissy Houston's daughter Whitney Houston after he saw the Houstons perform at a New York City nightclub.  Impressed with what he heard, Davis signed Whitney to Arista Records.  Houston became one of the biggest selling artists in music history under the guidance of Davis at Arista Records."