Bruce Springsteen delivers eulogy at Clive Davis’ funeral: “He dressed like a king and he was born to run, everything”
Bruce Springsteen paid tribute to the late music executive Clive Davis during an emotional eulogy at his funeral.
Davis, who was 94, sadly passed away at his home in New York City on June 22nd. It was later confirmed that Davis, who faced several health issues in the latter portion of his life, died due to respiratory problems.
Notably, Davis was signed as president of Columbia Records in 1967, aged 35, and not only signed Springsteen, but also helped establish Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Carlos Santana, Janis Joplin, Alicia Keys, Carrie Underwood, Barry Manilow, and many other household names.
In addition to Springsteen’s speech, Keys, Manilow, Dionne Warwick, and his sons Fred and Doug also spoke at the service. Jennifer Hudson took to the stage to perform.
The funeral took place at the Central Synagogue in Midtown Manhattan and was live streamed on June 29th.
In her speech, Keys recalled meeting Davis for the first time as a teenager and shared with her fellow mourners, “You didn’t just sign an artist, you recognised a soul. You saw not just the music I’d already made, but the music that was still sleeping inside of me, waiting for someone with the wisdom and courage to call it forward. You called it forward, you called me forward.”
Lastly, Springsteen shared, “Clive was big and bombastic and brave and full of ideas and just believed, believed, believed, believed. He dressed like a king and he was born to run, everything!”
He then recalled his audition with Columbia Records in 1972, remembering, “I tentatively strummed my guitar. I think I played ‘Growing Up’ and ‘Up in Saint in the City’. Songs that would end up predominantly placed on my first album. And when I finished, Clive, smiling, simply said, ‘Welcome to Columbia Records’.”
Springsteen powerfully continued, “And in those few words, he changed my life forever. Forever. Nothing’s been the same since that day. On that day, Clive showed a 22-year-old nobody the same warmth, the same kindness, the same respect that he would show me. After all my success for the next 50 years, nothing ever changed.”
‘The Boss’ added, “He guided the listening public towards so much powerful and inspiring music. And he not only loved music, Clive actually loved the people who made the music, no matter how much of a pain in the ass they were.”
He wrapped up his speech by telling the service of his mentor, “And he loved those people deeply and permanently, with his loyalty. He let me know that that was always the way he felt about me. And I loved him back. I never felt nothing but love coming from Clive.”
Last week, after Davis’ death was confirmed, Springsteen shared a similar sentiment in a social media tribute, which included their final photo taken together in April.
Watch the full speech below.
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