About Thomas Expertise I would like to take on questions regarding Manilow's early career (pre Mandy / pre 1975). I find this aspect of his career the most fascinating. Most of what occurred after Mandy has been well documented on the Barry.net. I am not interested in questions about Barry's personal life, just the music please!
Experience I have done some research in the area of Barry Manilow's early career. I am hopeful I can share this information with others out there seeking this obscure phase of Manilow's career.
Expert: Thomas Date: 4/21/2008 Subject: Clive Davis
Question Hi,
I know this is a Manilow category, but I couldn't find another category for Clive Davis and my question. Maybe you can help me.
My question is what are the duties that Clive Davis had at his former job and what duties would he have at his future job?
If you can't answer the question, can you tell me what category I may be able to find the answers in? Thanks.
Answer Clive was the President/CEO of Bell / Arista Records starting in the summer of 1974. He had previously been with Columbia Records where they let him go, so he wanted to come back with a vengence! When he took over Bell Records, he let all of the artists on the label go except Manilow and Melissa Manchester. It was at Clive's urging that Barry record "Mandy" and "I Write The Songs" - two number 1 hits for Barry! In 1975, Clive changed the label name from Bell to Arista. He was also instrumental in getting the careers of Whitney Houston and Kenny G. to their prominent heights. He stayed on with Arista for a very long time, then he became CEO of North American Operations for Sony/BMG. Most recently, he became the Chief Creative Officer for Sony/BMG Worldwide, and from what I understand he will still be working directly with the top artists on the Sony/BMG labels (i.e., Arista) including Barry.
