Bruce Springsteen delivered a moving, heartfelt tribute Monday at the funeral of the late music executive Clive Davis.
Davis died last week at the age of 94. He was instrumental in the careers of several generations of music stars.
Dionne Warwick, Barry Manilow and Alicia Keys also spoke at the memorial service, and there were performances from Kenny G and Jennifer Hudson.
Springsteen brought some levity to proceedings when he described Davis as the man who was “born to run… everything.”
He went on to recall the pivotal 1972 meeting where Davis signed him to Columbia Records.
“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,” said Springsteen. “Nothing ever changed.”
He also described how Davis encouraged him to write more radio-orientated songs for his 1973 debut album Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J..
“He sent me home,” remembered Springsteen. “In my dingy boho beach apartment, I wrote ‘Spirit in the Night’ and then ‘Blinded by the Light,’ two songs that totally changed the profile and the perception of that album.
“Clive then filmed himself reciting the lyrics to ‘Blinded by the Light,’ like it was some kind of New Jersey Shakespeare. It was a little embarrassing, but he insisted on sending it to every Columbia office around the country. It was hilarious.”
Springsteen concluded his remarks by reflecting that the death of Davis represents the end of a certain era of influential music executives that also included the likes of Berry Gordy, Ahmet Ertegun, Mo Ostin, Jerry Wexler, John Hammond and Jac Holzman.
“Can a kid with a guitar walk off the streets of New York into an office and into music history today?” asked Springsteen. “I don’t know. I don’t know if those times still exist. But as somebody who’s made that journey, it was an incredible, indescribable, and wonderful miracle. And for me that miracle will always be named Clive Davis.”
Footage of Springsteen’s speech was shared on social media, where fans heaped praise on the singer.
“This is what love and respect looks and sounds like. What a great lesson in life and friendship,” wrote one.
“From the heart beautifully spoken,” added another.
Alicia Keys also remembered Davis in glowing terms, recalling their first discussions and saying: “When we first met, you told me that you would treat me like Joni Mitchell, and I was like, ‘Woah.’ You said, ‘I’ll treat you like Joni Mitchell, because Joni Mitchell tells me when she’s done, and when she’s done, then it’s time.’”
Keys continued: “And that was the belief he had in me. And that belief created [her 2001 debut album] Songs in A Minor. And because of your guidance, I found the courage to be completely and unapologetically myself at a time when the industry wanted me to be something smaller, something easier, something safer.”
