Record Executive, Producer and A&R Executive. He served as President of Columbia Records and founded Arista Records where he signed and collaborated with many artists such as Tony Orlando, Sly and the Family Stone, Janis Joplin, Laura Nyro, Bruce Springsteen, Earth, Wind & Fire, Aerosmith, Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Patti Smith, Kenny G, Alicia Keys, Melissa Manchester & Luther Vandross. He was also credited with bringing Whitney Houston & Barry Manilow to fame. He also co-founded LaFace Records with L.A. Reid & Babyface, which was the home of many recording artists such as TLC, Usher, Outkast, Pink, & Toni Braxton and Bad Boy Records with Sean “Puffy” Combs, which was the home of The Notorious B.I.G., Craig Mack, Mase, 112, & Faith Evans. In 2000, he founded J Records and also served as the Chair and CEO of the RCA Music Group. In 2008, he was named Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of Sony Music Entertainment (SME), a title he held until his death. He won five Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. In May 2026, Davis was hospitalized with respiratory problems, but was released shortly after. He died at his home in Manhattan on June 22, 2026 at the age of 94.