Clive Davis: It is only occasional that talent becomes genius

You've got to seize the opportunity if it is presented to you.

Clive Davis

business action opportunity

The adage that you are either gay or straight or you are lying. Well, that's not true. Bisexuality does exist

Clive Davis

gay doe lying

This group came on stage, Big Brother and the Holding Company, and this whirling dervish, this electrifying white soul singer was so riveting. And I'm seeing this and I said, 'My God, this is a musical revolution.'

Clive Davis

soul brother white

I never stopped being attracted to women. Bisexuality is misunderstood; the adage is that you're either straight or gay or lying, but that's not my experience. To call me anything other than bisexual would be inaccurate.

Clive Davis

bisexual gay lying

This was work (music industry) but it was the awakening to what was to become a life's passion.

Clive Davis

passion work life

You look for stars. You look for the makeup of artists who can have long lasting careers and who could be headliners.

Clive Davis

makeup stars commitment

I want to hear the word 'cherish' about 5 times.

Clive Davis

music-business cherish want

I would say, from an all-around point of view, Bruce Springsteen is one of the two great poet lords of America, Bob Dylan, coming out of the music world, the two of them.

Clive Davis

views two america

The story of Rod Stewart, the story of Carlos Santana is so inspiring to young musicians because it shows in this trendy business how long a career can last. It shows how you can soar back, regardless of age.

Clive Davis

careers age long

The subject of bisexuality really needs much more discussion. Its a status that does exist.

Clive Davis

discussion doe needs

It seemed like an impossible task to do full justice to all Luther classics. And yet these landmark artists have done just that. Memorable performances of wonderful songs that ensure Luther's legacy will live on forever.

Clive Davis

artist memorable song

Of course it's heartbreaking to see the family go through this pain once again.

Clive Davis

entertainment

I had no idea that I was ever getting into music. I did not prepare for a music career, and here I've found, out of pure luck, that I did have, not only a talent and an ear, but a passion for music. And I have it to this day.

Clive Davis

day talent passion music

My introduction of Whitney was that if there's going to be one performer for the next generation who combined the beauty and lyric phrasing of a Lena Horne with those Gospel fiery roots of an Aretha Franklin, it would be Whitney Houston.

Clive Davis

generation roots introduction beauty

I did not develop my ear. I discovered I had an ear, and it was an accident.

Clive Davis

ear develop accident did

You see the genius that Whitney Houston has as an interpreter of material, and you realize why genius can be applied to only a few interpretive performers. She finds meaning and depth and soulfulness in a song that often the writer and composer never really knew was there.

Clive Davis

never you genius song

It's not for me to determine what a country artist has in common with a hip-hop artist. You go for those with long-lasting careers. And that's what I've had as my target all my life.

Clive Davis

my-life me you life

My years with Aretha Franklin have been very special, as were the years making records with Dionne Warwick. Other highlights include working with Janis Joplin, who was the first artist I ever signed, as well as Patti Smith and Alicia Keys.

Clive Davis

well who artist special

I had no idea what awaited me when I took a job with CBS Records, and it was a total surprise to find I had a gift and an ear for music.

Clive Davis

gift job me music

I'm not into one-hit wonders.

Clive Davis

one-hit wonders

It is only occasional that talent becomes genius - radiating sparks, brilliance, energy, and charismatic magnetism... such a talent was Janis Joplin.