WNYC Radio PBS Soundcheck: Clive Davis: 'A Tremendous Lucky Break'

Clive Davis has discovered, signed and supported some of the biggest names in music over the past 45 years — Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys — just to name a few. Known in the music industry as “The Man With The Golden Ears” because of his uncanny ability to match hit songs with great singers, Davis is also the guy who signed punk poet Patti Smith, took classical pianist Vladimir Horowitz to a New York disco and catalyzed the progressive fusion of bands like Weather Report and the Mahavishnu Orchestra.

The story of how a good Jewish boy from Brooklyn who wanted to be a lawyer but instead became one of the most powerful and influential men in the world of music is the subject of his new autobiography, The Soundtrack of My Life. In an interview with Soundcheck host John Schaefer, Davis explains how he lucked into the music business, describes his first experience listening to Janis Joplin, and dispels rumors about his public tiff with Kelly Clarkson.

Read full article below at:
http://soundcheck.wnyc.org/2013/mar/05/clive-davis-lucky-break/

Soundcheck®, hosted by John Schaefer, is WNYC’s daily talk show about music.