Clive Davis

Record producer Clive Davis has become the latest big name to shun hotels owned by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, who announced last week that he would proceed with the introduction of the Islamic Sharia law, a criminal code that permits severing of limbs and death by stoning for people who are gay or commit adultery.

Clive Davis Has Joined Others In Boycotting The Dorchester Chain Of Hotels.

Through the Brunei Investment Agency, the Sultan owns the Dorchester Collection luxury hotel chain, which includes the Hotel Bel-Air and The Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles. As a result of the Brunei law-making, celebrities and other powerful individuals who used to frequent one of the high-end hotels have collectively put their foot down to boycott the chain.

Continue reading: Clive Davis Joins Growing Backlash Against Hotel, After Sultan Owner Introduces Brutal Sharia Law

'A Band Called Death,' the Audience Award Winner at this year's SXSW Festival, is set to hit movie theaters in the U.S. on June 8, 2013. The documentary follows the story of Detroit brothers Bobby and Dannis Hackney and their friend Dobbie Duncan who formed proto-punk band Death, despite Motown and Disco's dominance of the early seventies black music scene.

As you'd expect, nobody was willing to give the boys a chance and a record deal appeared a million miles away. In 1974, the group was approached by Columbia Records mogul Clive Davis, though he requested the band choose a more commercially relatable name - they refused. Death disbanded in 1977, as white punk bands The Ramones and the Sex Pistols began to stamp their authority on the genre. However, nearly 30 years later, Death's demo tape found its way out of hiding and was played to a new generation of fans who appreciated the inspirational sound of the world's first black punk band. Directed by Jeff Howlett and Mark Covino, the movie is already getting comparisons to Oscar winning movie Searching for Sugar Man. Questlove is a fan too, tweeting after a recent screening, "if "Sugarman" doc moved you....this will be your music doc of the year."

Continue reading: 'A Band Called Death' Follows Detroit Brothers Making 'White Boy Music' [Trailer]

You’d never think of Kelly Clarkson of all people as confrontational, but it looks like she actually has some beef – with Clive Davis of all people.

After the legendary producer published a memoir, telling the story of his life, it was revealed that the book contained an entire chapter focused on the former American Idol winner. And let’s just say she wasn’t portrayed in the best possible light. According to Davis, at one point the singer even threw a temper tantrum in his office over not having her hit single Since U Been Gone included on her upcoming record. He also goes on to mention several other instances which portray Clarkson in a less than professional light.

However, the singer herself has said that there is absolutely no truth to the accusations. In fact, Clarkson describes a completely different version of events, where her breakdown was due to Davis bullying her.

Continue reading: Scathing Memoir Causes Fallout Between Kelly Clarkson And Clive Davis

Clive Davis seems determined to have the last word in his war with Kelly Clarkson, which he has put down to “creative differences,” whereas Clarkson seems intent on chalking it up to “bullying.” Davis has dismissed Clarkson’s own recollections of the events that he detailed in his autobiography The Soundtrack Of My Life and insists that his depiction of the time that they worked together is not only accurate but has been fact-checked independently, too.

“I am truly very sorry that she has decided to take issue with what I know to be an accurate depiction of our time together,” Davis posted on his Twitter page. “Before the book was published, I had every fact checked with five independent individuals who were present on a daily basis throughout it all. The chapter as it is written was thoroughly verified by each and every one of them. I stand by the chapter as written in my book.” He did go on to defend Clarkson’s honor, to some degree – even if he was essentially branding her a liar. He described Clarkson as being “a tremendous vocal talent and performer” and although he cites “creative differences as the root of their problems, he added “At the same time I wish, and will always wish, Kelly's talent and her career to soar to ever new heights.”

Clarkson described the music industry leader’s comments as a “violation” and said “Growing up is awesome because you learn you don't have to cower to anyone—even Clive Davis." 

Continue reading: 'Creative Differences' - A War Of Words Between Clive Davis And Kelly Clarkson

The twice-married and twice-divorced record executive Clive Davis has come out as bisexual in his new memoir The Soundtrack Of My Life. The 80-year-old has never before publically addressed his sexuality, though refers to his "bisexual life," in the concluding pages of the book, due in stores today, reports Rolling Stone magazine.

Davis reflects on his first sexual encounter with a man during "the era of Studio 54," writing, "On this night, after imbibing enough alcohol, I was open to responding to his sexual overtures. Was I nervous? Absolutely. Did the heavens open up? No. But it was satisfying." Afterwards, Davis writes that he went through a period of "soul searching and self-analysis," saying, "I didn't feel as if I had found, or was even searching for, my true self. I had not been at all repressed or confused during either of my marriages."

Davis separated from his second wife several years later and entered into a "monogamous relationship," with a male doctor, who is not named in the book. That relationship ended in 2004, though the mogul notes he has been in a relationship with another man ever since. The book - a sequel to his now out-of -print 1975 memoir Clive: Inside the Record Business - is devoted to his interactions with some of the world's biggest artists over the years. Interestingly, he recalls a particualr conversation with Bruce Springsteen's manager at the time Mike Appell, suggesting that Greetings From Asbury Park, N.J needed a couple more radio friendly songs. Springsteen subsequently wrote 'Blinded By The Light' and 'Sprit In The Night.'

Continue reading: Who Knew?! Twice Married Clive Davis Comes Out As Bisexual In Memoir

Kelly Clarkson has responded to statements made by record executive Clive Davis in a combination of online posts and her autobiography. The singer accused him of bullying and spreading false rumours.

If there’s one thing we know about Clarkson, it’s that she’s pretty feisty. So when she read what she perceived to be false comments, there was no way she’d back down. "So I just heard Clive Davis is releasing a memoir and spreading false information about me and my music,” she wrote on an online post called, ‘Hey Y’all’. “I refuse to be bullied and I just have to clear up his memory lapses.” In 2007, Kelly Clarkson revealed she was no longer working with Davis because of creative differences over her album, and later apologised for the feud. Back then, she called him "one of the greatest record men of all time," wonder what she’d call him now? "First, he says I burst into 'hysterical sobbing' in his office when he demanded Since U Been Gone be on my album. Not true at all,” she adds.

Davis has offered a rebuttal to her counterclaims (still with us?) stating: "Before the book was published, I had every fact checked with five independent individuals who were present on a daily basis throughout it all. The chapter as it is written was thoroughly verified by each and every one of them.

We look forward to the day when a person's sexual orientation is no longer cause for a headline, but equally will never fail to praise those who have the courage to be honest about their life. Music mogul, record legend, Clive Davis, who is responsible for the discovery of pop-music greats from Whitney Houston to Alicia Keys, has admitted to being bisexual in his newest memoir as well as in a new interview with Katie Couric, ABC news reports. 

Having been married and divorced twice, the revelation that Davis has had relationships with men will come as something of a surprise to many, but Davis hopes to encourage a culture of openness and great understanding regarding bisexuality, as it seems he feels many people don't think it "exists". "I'm not lying," Davis said. "[Bisexuality] does exist. For over 50 years I never had sex with a male. It wasn't repressed. I had very good sexual relationships with women." 

But, he continues, after his first drunken sexual experience with a man "I opened myself up to the possibility that I could have a relationship with a man as well as the two that I had with a woman." While he never felt shame for his bisexuality, he admits to being a little confused: "I felt puzzled. The subject of bisexuality really needs much more discussion. It's a status that does exist."

Continue reading: "I'm Bisexual": Legendary Record Producer Clive Davis Reveals He's Had Relationships With Men

Among many fascinating revelations in the new memoir of Clive Davis, titled ‘The Soundtrack Of My Life’, comes one pretty big surprise – he’s bisexual.

Davis revealed that his first sexual activity with a man came during the era of Studio 54 – a renowned nightclub in New York open from 1977 until 1981. "On this night, after imbibing enough alcohol, I was open to responding to his sexual overtures," writes Davis in the book, according to NBC. Being with a man, he writes, provided "welcome relief." Davis ultimately separated from his second wife, after a period of "soul searching and self-analysis," in 1985. From then he revealed that he went on to have simultaneous relationships with two women and a man.

Things went further in 1990 when he entered into a "monogamous relationship" with a male doctor, the pair staying together for 14 years until 2004 when they split. Davis has also apparently been in another relationship with a man ever since. The book is an overdue update on Davis’ first book Clive: Inside The Record Business, released in 1975. The sequel sees Davis, record producer and music industry executive whose won five Grammys, recount tales with stars including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteeen, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Kelly Clarkson, among others.

Continue reading: New Clive Davis Book Sees Music Man Reveal Bisexuality