Clive Davis, one of the most influential music executives in the history of rock and pop, has died at the age of 94.

A former head of Columbia and Arista Records, he signed and shaped the careers of artists including Aretha Franklin, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Whitney Houston, Santana, Janis Joplin, Christina Aguilera, Alicia Keys and many others.

'A natural ear'

He was promoted to vice president of the record label in 1965 and shortly after became president. Among the acts he signed were Santana, Aerosmith, Pink Floyd and Springsteen, giving the label a new lease of life.

"I didn't necessarily have an ear, but I think I developed one," he later said. 

"Whether there was a natural ear that was triggered, I don't know the answer to that. But when you see a Joplin or a Springsteen, you know."

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Davis, pictured here with funk legend Sly Stone, rose to prominence at a time when the music industry was less regulated and more cavalier - but he survived multiple upheavals to remain a titan of the rock scene.

Despite the success, he was ousted from Columbia when the company accused him of using company funds to pay for personal expenses, including his son's bar mitzvah.

Davis was charged with six counts of tax evasion. He pleaded guilty on one count and was otherwise exonerated.

Within months, Davis had set up his own label, Arista. He immediately achieved commercial success by signing Barry Manilow; and critical acclaim for releasing Patti Smith's influential debut album, Horses.

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Clive Davis helped Whitney Houston become one of the best selling artists in the world, after signing her at the age of 19

That midas touch continued throughout his career - but it was often fuelled by hard work.

Davis signed Whitney Houston in 1983, when she was just 19 years old, then spent years hunting for producers and writers who could make the most of her voice.

When her self-titled debut album was finally released in 1985, it contained three US number one singles - Saving All My Love for You, How Will I Know and Greatest Love of All. 

According to Sony, it sold more than 25 million copies worldwide.