Bruce Springsteen Honors Clive Davis in Heartfelt Eulogy

At the funeral of legendary record executive Clive Davis on June 29, 2026, Bruce Springsteen offered a poignant tribute to the man who launched his career. Springsteen, who was one of several high-profile speakers at the service, remembered Davis not just as a titan of the music industry, but as a deeply loyal friend and mentor.

A Lasting Legacy of Music and Loyalty

Springsteen’s eulogy centered on the enduring impact Davis had on his life and the broader music landscape. Recalling their first meeting in 1972, the singer described walking into Davis’ office as a 22-year-old musician with little to his name. Davis’ immediate offer of a contract with Columbia Records, Springsteen noted, changed his trajectory forever. “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,” Springsteen shared.

The bond between the two remained strong long after their professional collaboration ended. Springsteen highlighted Davis’ unwavering support, noting that the executive attended nearly every New York City-area performance the rocker played, including a show in Newark just months before his passing. “He not only loved music, Clive actually loved the people who made the music, no matter how much of a pain in the ass they were,” Springsteen remarked.

Honoring a Titan of the Industry

The funeral was a gathering of music royalty, featuring tributes from artists such as Alicia Keys, Dionne Warwick, and Barry Manilow. Performances by Kenny G and Jennifer Hudson further underscored the profound influence Davis held over generations of performers. Springsteen concluded his remarks by reflecting on the changing nature of the music business, noting that the era of the “great record man”—a group that included figures like John Hammond and Jerry Wexler—had largely vanished with Davis.

“For me now and forever, Clive Davis was that right man,” Springsteen said, closing his speech with a final, emotional farewell: “Nothing but love, Clive. Thank you.”