Clive Davis, the man who shaped the sound of American music for more than six decades, is in the hospital, TMZ reports. .
The 94-year-old music mogul was admitted to a New York hospital on Friday evening after developing an upper respiratory infection, his representative confirmed. Doctors admitted him for treatment out of an abundance of caution. He is expected to be discharged within 24 hours.
Clive Davis's legendary career achievements
Clive Davis boasts an impressive list of artists: he discovered Whitney Houston, considered by many to be the greatest vocalist in pop history. He worked with Aretha Franklin, the undisputed queen of soul. He launched Kelly Clarkson's career after her victory on American Idol, and in the early 1990s, he co-founded Bad Boy Records with Sean Combs, helping to create one of the most influential labels in hip-hop.
Davis began his career in the music industry in the early 1960s and became president of Columbia Records in 1967, at the age of just 35. In 1974, he founded Arista Records, where he assembled one of the most impressive rosters of artists in the industry's history.
His contribution to the arts was recognized in 2000 when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. The 200-seat theater at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles bears his name. His annual Grammy Awards gala, held the night before the ceremony, has become one of the most coveted events in the entertainment industry. In other words, he's quite a figure.
<img alt='НЬЮ-ЙОРК, НЬЮ-ЙОРК — 19 МАЯ: (слева направо) Клайв Дэвис, Алисия Киз, Chance The Rapper и Swizz Beatz присутствуют на торжественном ужине и аукционе Фонда Гордона Паркса 2026 года в Cipriani 42nd Street 19 мая 2026 года в Нью-Йорке. (Фото Ноама Галая/Getty Images для Фонда Гордона Паркса)
Noam Galai / Getty Images
‘' loading=»lazy» width=»960″ height=»540″ decoding=»async» data-nimg=»1″ class=»rounded-lg» style=»color:transparent» src=»https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/OvMDLR4Nrb28nZYKtfJGJQ—/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDto PTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/men_s_journal_718/c8817328cf371db628341db4f0cbca5f"> NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 19: (L to R) Clive Davis, Alicia Keys, Chance The Rapper, and Swizz Beatz attend the Gordon Parks Foundation's 2026 Gala Dinner and Auction at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 19, 2026, in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Gordon Parks Foundation)
Noam Galai/Getty Images
The medical history of Clive Davis
Friday's hospitalization isn't Davis's first health issue in recent years. In February 2021, he was diagnosed with Bell's palsy—a condition that causes temporary paralysis of the facial muscles—and was treated with antibiotics and steroids. At the time, his team stated that he was "in good spirits" and expected to recover within six to eight weeks.
At 94, Clive Davis remains one of the most active and respected figures in the music industry.
This article was originally published in Men's Journal on May 30, 2026, in the News section. Add Men's Journal to your list of preferred sources by clicking here.