Clive Davis, a prominent music executive credited with launching or revitalizing major artists’ careers, dies, and numerous musicians respond with tributes. According to coverage from multiple outlets, the artists mourning Davis include Barry Manilow, Patti Smith and Carlos Santana, reflecting his long influence across pop, rock and other genres. Davis is described as one of the music industry’s most powerful figures, known for helping shape the careers of widely recognized performers. Reporting highlights his role in bringing attention to, or re-energizing the trajectories of, artists such as Whitney Houston and Carlos Santana, among others. While details of the circumstances and timeline of Davis’ death are not included in the provided excerpts, the sources converge on the same central point: Davis is widely regarded for his impact on the industry and the artists who followed his guidance. The tributes underscore his standing as a major behind-the-scenes force in music, with current and former stars publicly acknowledging his significance.