Clive Davis, BMG U.S. chairman and the man behind the American Idol recording machine, will be appearing on tonight's show as special guest "coach" of the week. Davis, 74, will also receive a special honor for his role in guiding American Idol stars' post-season careers on Wednesday night's results show.
Davis hasn't let the multiple generational gaps between him and the young Idol stars interfere with his ability to pump out a stunning 33 million records sold through the AI franchise via AI winners and runner-ups Kelly Clarkson, Clay Aiken, Fantasia, Carrie Underwood, Ruben Studdard, and Bo Bice.
Damn, that's a lot of records for those knuckleheads.
Davis spent the past weekend continuing to age and working with current AI finalists Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, and the Silver Fox, Taylor Hicks, in preparation for tonight's show. Davis went so far as to select songs for each of the finalists that would best suit their vocal ranges and accentuate their personal musical styles.
Recording industry legend Davis, dubbed "the man with the golden ears," has honed those ears for about the last century as former head of Columbia Records and founder of Arista Records, discovering and guiding the careers of Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, Patti Smith, Barry Manilow, Alicia Keys, and the once great, now coked out, Whitney Houston.
A man of many professional lives, Davis was on the edge extinction due to the "retirement policy" at BMG several years ago; but, fueled by outrage across the recording industry, he refused to dry up and go away and struck a deal with BMG to launch J Records, of which he owns 50%.
J Records — the home of industry giants Pearl Jam, Alicia Keys, Maroon 5, Annie Lenox, Dido, Rod Stewart, Aretha Franklin, Babyface, Jamie Foxx, Sarah McLachlan, Barry Manilow, and many up and coming artists — is not a bad place to be. And now Davis somehow also finds himself as chairman of BMG U.S.
As long as there's pop music to be made, records to be sold, and air in his lungs, Clive Davis will be churning out hits.
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Article comments
1 - sal m
i'll have you know that whitney houston is not coked out, she's CRACKED out...there's quite a difference between the two.
2 - Dawn
Good point Sal!
3 - booboo
Discuss this night's performance in the chatroom at americanidolwar.awardspace.com !
4 - NR Davis
Didn't she listen to herself when she said, "Crack is wack?" Oh, Whitney.
5 - Rich
I was really starting to enjoy your irreverant article. But, I don't think the use of the term "knucklehead" is really appropriate for every one of the aforementioned Idols and runner ups. I know of one person you mentioned who has broken countless sales records, went back to her university to get her degree, won numerous industry awards, has superb vocal skills, inspires and enhances the lives of millions of adoring fans, and has a heart of gold. Her name is Carrie Underwood. I hope and am assuming the term was used in fondness.
6 - Jake
What was the point of your article? Yes, Clive is in charge of a lot of successful artists. Some of the most successful got their start on American Idol.
Funny that you call the artists that got their break on AI "knuckleheads" but the other artists are "industry giants". Many of those giants would be happy to have the kind of popularity and sales that the AI alumni have had. So who are the real industry giants? I think it's time to give credit where it's due. Were you aware that all of the named AI in your article have been paying dues and working as performers since before their time on AI. Is it fair or accurate to minimize their talent because of the platform that gave them their break into the mainstream? I think not.
7 - Eric Olsen
Rich and Jake, um, lighten up: "knuckleheads" is a generic term and in this case definitely one of endearment. And regardless of the dues any of the AI stars have paid, they would not have come to the public's eye, nor acheived the success they have as quickly as they have without the AI connection - even Kelly
8 - Guppusmaximus
Come on!! Are you guys kidding?? Making record sales isn't an accurate benchmark on talent nor lasting power. Clive Davis has more an ear for Cash Registers than he does for music.I am a firm believer that he has always been "Tipped Off" to the talent he lends his finances to. I mean look at the songs he picked last night!?! Poor choices...
9 - NR Davis
Absolutely right, Mr. Guppusmaxim. "Dancin' in the Dark"? I mean, Tay did great - it was his night, but geeze. And Kat's R. Kelly cover - doesn't Clive listen to the judges who told the chilly McPhee to avoid those showy diva performances? The judges (save Simon) picked better choices for the singers.
Ah well, my prediction: Taylor and Kat in the final. I prefer Elliott to Kat, but...
10 - Michael J. West
I don't agree, Ms. Davis. I think it's down to Taylor and Elliott. At least, I hope Elliott is still in. I think he should win.
Katharine, put bluntly, is far better eye candy than ear candy.
11 - girl600 show
Though I saw Fantasia in the pic with Mr Davis, I didn't know he was officially connected with all of the AI hot people like that. I read Jewels Richardson (for the first time last week) on my AI show, so I'm back on this site to read more good AI blogs. Thanks
12 - Artie
Judy Garland is spinning in her grave. So too is Eva Cassidy, whose rendition of Somewhere Over the Rainbow is being mired is muck by the much-ballyhooed and praised yet lame rendition by Katherine MacPhee last night. I guess a girl goes down on her knees, men respond favourably. Kat should be sent home tonight so we can listen to two great singers next week. If she's in the finals, there's a risk that she could win and we will be bored for another year by her. Then again, if Hicks comes in second, he is free and will get another record deal and is free to do what he wants instead of controlled by Simon's limp but strong producer hands. Go Elliot!!
13 - Bliffle
I watched this program, partially, for the first time last night and didn't think any of the singers were any good. All in all, I'd rather listen to opera, and I'm not an opera fan. But the singing voices are much better and sometimes the songs are terrific.
14 - NR Davis
Mr. West, it ought to be Taylor and Elliott. But you know about the allure of breasts and young, longhaired women on their knees.
Hearing Kat sing "Over the Rainbow," all I could think about was Eva Cassidy, an amazing artist and an even more wonderful human. When Simon gushed, I wanted to leap through the set to pummel him with questions: "Do you hate Taylor so much that you would praise THAT?" "Are you so determined to make yourself look good for choosing the song that you'll call THAT the best performance of the competition to date?" "What the hell is WRONG with you, you arrogant..."
Sigh.
Go Taylor! Soul Patrol!
15 - Jake
I apologize for misunderstanding the "knucklehead" reference. I do think that once these kids are off the show they are now competing in the real world and as the majority of the finalists don't find careers past the 1 year mark that the exposure is not enough to make a career. Any of them that are still successful after the first year are there because they deserve to be.
This season was a real disappointment. It is the first time that it seems more like Survivor than American Idol. There is not one outstanding artist this year and I predict that the sales will be at a souvenir level no matter who wins and they will fade away like Fantasia, Diana, Justin, and Ruben have. Clive Davis can make or break a career and lately his control over the song choices on the CDs has had tragic results. Look at what he did to Bo. His southern rock style was dismissed in favor of bland Pop and now Clive is on a big nostalgia kick where too many of the artists on his label are being directed to record covers. Can't they find any good original songs anymore? Clay Aiken is rumored to have submitted a CD of originals that Clive rejected in favor of a cover heavy mix of songs from the 80s and 90s with some originals. Clay will sing the crap out of them no doubt, but really could they not find 12 good original songs in 2 years? If CDs like Bo's and Nick Lachey's are any indication, the songwriters have hit a wall. The pop tarts are doing well with the bubblegum crap but a really good singer like Christina Aguilera is re-doing songs from the 20s, 30s and 40s and Ruben is rumored to be taking a run at the Luther Vandross catalogue. What will Clive choose for this year's winner? I don't even want to know.
16 - idlerock
Thanks for the great show Clive! Kat has been wonderful!
17 - regina
Clive Davis makes good choices sometimes and I hope he will listen and give a chance to a genius guitarist/songwriter named CESAR.
I saw him last night here in Los Angeles in concert and he is "the next santana" without copying santana style and music. Original, graet virtuosity and awesome songwriting. I hope Clive gives him a chance.
Regina Jensen