Clive Davis

I have to say, for anyone who's a serious music trivia buff, this is an essential read. But what really got me was how the man went from transforming Columbia from a label mostly famous for Broadway schlock, classical, and a few big name jazz artists to one of the hippest labels in the world, with Dylan, Cash, Simon & Garfunkel, the Byrds, the United States of America--and on sister label Epic--Donovan, the Yardbirds, Sly and the Family Stone, etc., etc. to starting Arista and signing many show more of the most God-awful acts of all-time, starting w/Manilow, moving through Air Supply, Kenny G., Whitney, and so on, with no trace of apology or irony. Overall, like a lot of autobiographies--particularly of executives, it's a pretty self-congratulatory tome. That said, it's extremely readable, and one walks away liking the man, despite all his crimes against the ear drums. I would rec [b:The Label: The Story of Columbia Records|420146|The Label The Story of Columbia Records|Gary Marmorstein|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328857586s/420146.jpg|409280] as a good (possibly better) companion piece. show less

I have to say, for anyone who's a serious music trivia buff, this is an essential read. But what really got me was how the man went from transforming Columbia from a label mostly famous for Broadway schlock, classical, and a few big name jazz artists to one of the hippest labels in the world, with Dylan, Cash, Simon & Garfunkel, the Byrds, the United States of America--and on sister label Epic--Donovan, the Yardbirds, Sly and the Family Stone, etc., etc. to starting Arista and signing many show more of the most God-awful acts of all-time, starting w/Manilow, moving through Air Supply, Kenny G., Whitney, and so on, with no trace of apology or irony. Overall, like a lot of autobiographies--particularly of executives, it's a pretty self-congratulatory tome. That said, it's extremely readable, and one walks away liking the man, despite all his crimes against the ear drums. I would rec [b:The Label: The Story of Columbia Records|420146|The Label The Story of Columbia Records|Gary Marmorstein|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1328857586s/420146.jpg|409280] as a good (possibly better) companion piece. show less

Despite the regular moments of "I'm all that and a bag of chips in the music industry," this is an entertaining and readable account of his life as a music executive. He recounts plenty of inside moments with the stars to keep any entertainment hound happy. It also inspired me to look up some of the music of the stars he worked with, particularly those he cites as breakthroughs and of great influence in music history. Very enlightening to hear from an astute leader in music.

Clive is a born promoter and this is an autobiography. It therefore is not surprising that the book is all about "me." He does focus on the music, and you do not learn much about his personal life. I enjoyed the anecdotes about many of the artists he signed. He still champions some of the godawful artists and crap he produced. He also yaps about artists I never heard of and how many "hits" they had, with no reference to any validating source. He shamelessly urged artists to sacrifice their show more art in order to get a top ten hit. Obviously for him the business was ultimately about money. Yet, one's art is no good if it does not communicate to anyone but the artist. If you have enjoyed popular music since the sixties, you will enjoy this book. If you abandoned popular music for alternative music in the eighties, the last third of this book will annoy you. show less