MANHATTAN — Music executive Clive Davis died at the age of 94 at his home in Manhattan on Monday. His death was attributed to an age-related illness. He was surrounded by his family and loved ones at the time of his passing.

Davis was a five-time Grammy Award winner. He began his career as a lawyer, graduating from New York University and Harvard Law School. He was hired as assistant counsel at Columbia Records in 1960. Within five years, CBS Records president Goddard Lieberson promoted Davis to administrative vice president. In 1967, Davis was appointed president of the label.

During his tenure at Columbia Records, Davis signed or developed artists including Simon and Garfunkel, Barbra Streisand, Patti Smith, Billy Joel, Earth Wind and Fire, Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, and Bruce Springsteen. He was fired from Columbia Records in 1973 after the company accused him of mismanagement of funds. Davis pleaded guilty to one count of tax evasion and paid a $10,000 fine.

Davis founded Arista Records, where he signed artists such as Barry Manilow, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Lou Reed, the Grateful Dead, and Milli Vanilli. Milli Vanilli was stripped of their Best New Artist Grammy after it was revealed they did not sing their own songs. Davis conceived the 1999 album "Supernatural" for Carlos Santana, which went on to win eight Grammy Awards. He was ousted from Arista Records in 2000 in favor of Antonio "L.A." Reid.

Davis later founded and served as CEO of J Records, where he launched the careers of Alicia Keys and Luther Vandross. His roster included artists such as Notorious B.I.G. and Rod Stewart. Davis had Stewart record albums of standards from "The Great American Songbook." Davis was also chairman of the RCA Music Group and worldwide chief creative officer at Sony Music Entertainment. He directed the careers of Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.

David Foster, a musician, said Davis was completely artist-friendly and that the artist always came first. Musician Barry Manilow said Davis was an inspiration to him and to everyone in the music business. Davis hosted an annual pre-Grammy Awards gala, with the most recent one held on January 31 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. His family issued a statement saying, "To the world, our father was the iconic music legend whose vision, instincts, and relentless pursuit of excellence shaped the soundtrack of countless lives." The family also said, "He discovered, mentored, and championed the greatest artists in modern music history, leaving an indelible mark on culture that will endure for generations." The statement added, "To his family, Clive was Dad and Granddaddy, the steady presence at the center of our lives, the source of wisdom, strength, encouragement, and unconditional love." It concluded, "No matter how extraordinary his professional accomplishments, he never lost sight of what mattered most: the people he loved."