Trapital
Trapital
Dan Runcie
Clive Davis Part 1: Whitney Houston, Resilience, and The World's Greatest Party
31 minutes Posted Apr 14, 2026 at 10:00 am.
Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Gala
Lessons Learned at Columbia
From Arista to J Records
When Whitney Houston and Clive Disagreed
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Show notes
I sat down with the legendary record executive Clive Davis. We looked back on the career-defining moments that made him one of the most influential figures in music.
He shares memories from the Beverly Hills Hotel, where we recorded the conversation. We also discussed the evolution of his famed pre-Grammy gala, and the philosophy behind honoring artists in the room. Davis also revisits being pushed out at Columbia, Arista, launching J Records, and the story behind Whitney Houston recording “Why Does It Hurt So Bad.” It’s a conversation about instinct, reinvention, and what it takes to keep going at the highest levels in business.
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