Clive Davis, the record executive who transformed pop music and built an empire on the voices of Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, and Aretha Franklin, has died at 94. His death marks the end of an era for an industry he helped define, but for working people, his legacy is more complicated. Davis was a master of the corporate machine, but his artists often fought for fair pay and creative control.
Houston’s battle with her label over royalties and artistic freedom is well documented. Davis leaves behind a catalogue of hits, but also a reminder that even the brightest stars can be dimmed by the business end of the music industry. For every smash, there was a contract dispute.
For every Grammy, a pay gap. The real economy of music is about who gets the money, and Davis was always at the top of the chain.
