Clive Davis, record industry mogul and the man who takes credit for finding and grooming artists like Whitney Houston, Alicia Keys, Janis Joplin, Jennifer Hudson and many more, finds himself in Kelly Clarkson’s crosshairs.
Davis was the head of RCA and J Records for the duration of Clarkson’s career and has long been credited with guiding the American Idol winner’s career. Davis’s memoir, The Soundtrack of My Life, was released today and Clarkson disputes some of his recollections.
The singer posted a long missive to her WhoSay account saying she, “refuse[s] be bullied and I just have to clear up his memory lapses and misinformation for myself and for my fans.”
Clarkson goes on to outline Davis’s incorrect recounting of the development of her mega-hit “Since U Been Gone,” saying his account of her “hysterical sobbing” over the song was incorrect and that she, along with producers Max Martina and Dr. Luke were responsible for the final production touches that made the song a success.
She goes on to admit she did once, as accused, cry in his office — when the mogul told her he hated “Because of You” and that, “[Clarkson] was a “sh*tty writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me.” Clarkson insists she fought on for the song, which was a platinum-certified hit.
Also on Clarkson’s list was Davis’s portrayal of her album My December as unsuccessful. A strange characterization, considering it is also certified platinum even though, as she recounts, only one single was released from the album in the U.S. Her letter takes a despondent turn when she recounts, “My December was an album I needed to make for myself for many reasons and the fact that I was so completely disregarded and disrespected was so disheartening, there really aren’t words to explain…”
Clarkson gets a last dig in by saying, “Anyway, I love my job. I love my music. I love my fans. I love my label and all of my professional relationships… now.” Safe to assume Davis is out of her professional life.
-Courtney E. Smith, Radio.com
