local
Clive Davis and Atlanta: The hitmaker’s long shadow over the city’s sound
By Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Clive Davis, the famously sharp-eared label executive who steered eras at Columbia Records, founded Arista Records and later launched J Records, has died after decades of delivering some of America’s biggest hits.Davis didn’t just shape pop radio from New York ...
Key takeaway (Atlanta News First) — Clive Davis, the famously sharp-eared label executive who steered eras at Columbia Records, founded Arista Records and later launched J Records, has died after decades of delivering some of America’s biggest hits.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
Clive Davis' passing leaves a void in the music industry that resonates deeply in Atlanta, where his influence helped launch the careers of iconic acts like TLC, Usher, and OutKast. The city's 1990s and early 2000s music boom, fueled by LaFace Records and its partnership with Arista, was a pivotal moment in Atlanta's cultural history. Davis' role in shaping the sound of that era, from TLC's "Waterfalls" to Usher's "You Make Me Wanna…", cannot be overstated. His executive oversight and distribution deals helped bring Atlanta's unique brand of R&B and hip-hop to a national audience, cementing the city's status as a hub for musical innovation. As the city continues to evolve and new artists emerge, Davis' legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of industry infrastructure and visionary leadership in nurturing local talent and bringing it to the world stage.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
Get more The Atlanta stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering local and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Clive Davis, the famously sharp-eared label executive who steered eras at Columbia Records, founded Arista Records and later launched J Records, has died after decades of delivering some of America’s biggest hits.Davis didn’t just shape pop radio from New York ...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Atlanta, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More local →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter