Music industry icon Clive Davis was honored at a star-studded funeral in New York City, where family, friends and some of his most celebrated protégés gathered to pay an emotional final tribute.
The music legend Clive Davis, who died last week at 94, was honored at a heartfelt funeral on Monday, June 29, in New York City, where stars including Dionne Warwick, Barry Manilow, Alicia Keys, Bruce Springsteen, Kenny G and Jennifer Hudson paid tribute to the executive who helped shape their careers.
The service opened with a clarinet performance by Kenny G, followed by tributes from Davis' sons, Fred and Doug.
Hudson also delivered emotional performances of Hallelujah and I Will Always Love You.
Dionne Warwick’s tribute for Clive Davis
During her tribute, Warwick recalled meeting Davis when she was without a record deal and ready to quit music, but he reassured her, saying, "The business is not willing to give you up."
She ultimately signed to Davis' Arista Records and worked with Manilow on her 1979 album Dionne, which won two Grammy Awards.
"He was a dear friend," said Warwick of Davis, before adding, "He was always asking 'Where's my Dionne?' Well I'm here, Clive, today — for you."
Barry Manilow’s tribute for Clive Davis
Barry Manilow opened his tribute by recalling the lobectomy he underwent for lung cancer in December 2025.
"A few months ago, surgeons removed a piece of my lung. Last week, I lost a piece of my heart," he said. The singer-songwriter spoke about how Davis encouraged him to record a cover of Scott English’s “Brandy,” which ultimately became his hit song "Mandy" following lots of back-and-forth discussion between them.
"I’m going to miss him. Who am I going to argue with?. Oh, Clive, I wish we could do it all again," said Manilow. "Thanks for everything, my friend."
Bruce Springsteen’s tribute for Clive Davis
Springsteen began his speech with a joke: "Clive was the most humble man in the music business — not really."
He then shared how Davis consistently supported him, including during his Land of Hope and Dreams tour, which ended last month.
"He guided the listening public toward so much powerful and inspiring music, and he not only loved music, Clive actually loved the people who made the music no matter how much of a pain in the ass they were," he said.
Springsteen added, "And he loved those people deeply and permanently with his loyalty. He let me know that was always the way he felt about me. And I loved him back. I never felt nothing but love coming from Clive."
More attendees at Davis' funeral
Additional attendees at Davis' funeral included Gayle King, Hoda Kotb, Adrien Brody, Gregg Alexander, Ja Rule, Shoshana Bean, Rob Thomas, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos and Pat Houston, sister-in-law and manager of the late Whitney.
Clive Davis death
On Monday June 22, legendary music executive and producer Clive Davis had died at the age of 94.
In a statement shared with PEOPLE, Davis' longtime rep Aliza Rabinoff said that he "passed away peacefully from age-related illness at the age of 94 at his home in Manhattan on Monday, June 22, surrounded by his family and loved ones."
