Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys Honor Clive Davis at Funeral
By
Daniel Kreps, Jon Blistein
June 29, 2026
Bruce Springsteen, Alicia Keys, and Jennifer Hudson were expected to pay their respects to Clive Davis at the legendary record exec’s funeral Monday in New York City.
“You didn’t just sign an artist, you recognized the soul,” Keys said during her emotional eulogy. “You saw not just the music I’d already made, but the music that was still sweeping inside of me, waiting for someone with the wisdom and the courage to call it forward. You called it forward. You called me forward.”
Springsteen opened his address by joking that Davis was “the most humble man in the music business,” earning laughter and applause. “Not really,” he quipped. “Clive was big and bombastic and brave and full of ideas, and just believed, believed, believed, believed. He dressed like a king. He was born to run … everything!”
The service at Manhattan’s Central Synagogue opened with a performance of “Songbird” from Kenny G, one of the many blockbuster artists Davis signed during his illustrious career. Later in the service, Jennifer Hudson delivered a staggering rendition of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
Dionne Warwick was the first to pay tribute to Davis. “He was a dear friend, cared about Dionne” she said. “There was not anything that he ever did that I didn’t get the first phone call: You will be there, right? … He was always asking, ‘Where’s my Dionne?’ Well, I’m here today, Clive. Will always be here for you.”
Barry Manilow recalled his lengthy relationship with Davis, filled with big hits and also peppered with endearing arguments about Manilow’s career. For instance, he recalled Davis calling him repeatedly with an idea for an album: “He was so hung up with this idea, he called me twice, then three times a day,” Manilow said. “You know when that happened? Three weeks ago!”
Manilow added, “Clive has always been there for me. He believed in me from the very beginning. When you have someone believe in you so deeply, you feel that you can do anything. I will always be grateful to him for that.”
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During his eulogy, Davis’ son, Doug, shared a letter written by Paul Simon, a longtime friend, and neighbor. “No one wants to find themselves speaking at a memorial for a dear friend,” Simon wrote. “No one wants to piece together a chain of sentences that will inadequately express the shock of loss, the deep sweet memories of times together, the love and admiration that was shared. And in my case, the closeness of our families.”
The letter continued: “So many stories, so many memories. Clive and I were friends for nearly 60 years. Two New Yorkers from the boroughs who shared the kinship of a similar background. A lifelong friendship, always staying in touch and occasionally sharing a dinner or a summer afternoon. With his loss, now I wish we could have spent more time together. More time, more time. Comfortable in each other’s company. Conversation that was always interesting, ranging from music to family to politics to back to music.”
Simon also praised Davis for being a “a Harvard-educated lawyer,” who nevertheless “had an uncanny grasp of popular music.” He recalled the first time he and Art Garfunkel played Davis “Bridge Over Troubled Water.”: “He sat immersed in the music and then he turned to us and said, ‘That may be the most remarkable record I think I’ve ever heard.’ Or maybe I’m misremembering and he said, ‘What else ya got?’ But I think he liked it.”
Davis died June 22 at the age of 94, with a rep for the mogul saying he “passed away peacefully from age-related illness … surrounded by his family and loved ones.” Throughout his extraordinary seven decades in the music industry, Davis gained a reputation as a tireless champion of artists he believed in and a sharp businessman.
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Following Davis’ death, Keys was among the wave of legendary artists crediting Davis for being pivotal at the start of their careers. “Clive Davis changed my life forever,” Keys wrote in her tribute. “He has stood beside me through every chapter that followed. Not just in that fake industry way but in a way that was full of love for how unlimited I could be!”
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Springsteen also shared a remembrance to Davis on social media, writing, “Over here on E Street, we mourn the death of the great record man and close friend Clive Davis.” Springsteen added, “He treated me with the same respect and kindness as a 22-year-old nobody as he did after all my success. A great man. All our prayers and love.”
This story is developing
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
