Clive Davis, the legendary music executive who shaped the careers of Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, and countless others across six decades, will receive tribute during the 2026 BET Awards' in memoriam segment. Davis died on June 22 at 94.
The timing carries particular weight. The network plans to honor Davis with a performance set to a Whitney Houston song, a fitting choice given their profound connection. Davis discovered Houston at age 11 performing in a New Jersey church and signed her to Arista Records in 1983. He guided her ascent from promising young talent to global superstar, producing her debut album that spawned hits like "I Will Always Love You" and "Greatest Love of All."
Davis built an empire spanning multiple decades and genres. His roster included not just Houston and Franklin but also Barry Manilow, Santana, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Dionne Warwick, and Jennifer Hudson. He founded Arista Records, transforming it into a powerhouse, then later founded J Records. His instinct for talent and ability to position artists across genres made him one of the most influential figures in modern music history.
His autobiography, "Clive: Inside the Life of an American Music Legend," published in 2012, remains a definitive account of the music industry's evolution from the 1960s onward. Davis won Grammy Awards and received induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognition of his outsized impact on popular music.
The BET Awards chose to memorialize Davis within the context of his most iconic discovery. Houston's voice, shaped and championed by Davis, will carry his legacy forward during the 2026 ceremony. For an industry figure who consistently elevated artists and shaped the soundtrack to American life, the tribute honors not just his business acumen but his commitment to identifying and nurturing exceptional talent.