Clive Davis: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives

Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives is a riveting documentary film directed by Chris Perkel and produced by Michael Bernstein that made its debut in 2017 to wide acclaim. Packed with years of music history, the film profiles the life and work of legendary music mogul Clive Davis. The 123-minute long documentary film features star appearances by music industry giants such as Simon Cowell and Jimmy Iovine, along with countless artists whose careers Davis has been instrumental in shaping.

The film offers an engrossing view of the man who has arguably had the most significant influence on the modern music landscape. Clive Davis, a lawyer by training and music executive by calling, played a crucial role in crafting the careers of some of music's biggest names, including Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Santana, Aretha Franklin, and many more.

Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives delves deep into Davis’s five-decade long career. Davis, who started at Columbia Records and presided over numerous other labels such as Arista Records and J Records, is unveiled layer by layer via a series of interviews, archival footage, and richly detailed anecdotes. The film begins with Davis’s early life, tracing his trajectory from a humble Brooklyn upbringing as the son of Jewish immigrants to his initial success in music after discovering Janis Joplin at the Monterey Pop Festival in 1967.

In this biographical film, viewers get an intimate look at Davis’s professional highs and personal lows. The film does not shy away from darker periods in his life, such as his wrongful firing from Columbia Records due to accusations of misuse of funds, and the death of his parents when he was just a teenager. Such personal insights only serve to enhance the narrative and make Davis an even more relatable figure.

The film allows the audience to walk through the annals of popular music, revisiting unforgettable music moments and cultural shifts as Davis navigated his way to the top. Throughout his career, Davis seemed to have an uncanny knack for anticipating where music was heading and aligning himself and his artists with these trends.

At the heart of the film is Davis’s enduring love for music. The awe and respect for his finely tuned ear are echoed in the words of every artist and music executive interviewed. His ability to recognize talent, but also nurture it, often means that artists whom he signs are not only successful on the charts but have lasting careers as well.

Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives is about more than just Davis and his laudatory professional achievements, however. It is also a captivating look at the volatile landscape of the music industry itself. The film captures the changing dynamic of the music business, from the days of vinyl and cassette tapes, through to CDs, and the modern era of streaming and digitization.

One of the most poignant aspects of the documentary is the sheer range of artists that Davis has worked with and the diversity of the music he has helped produce. From rock and roll icons to soulful divas, from the best of pop to the kings and queens of R&B, Davis’s impact spans genres, ages, and styles.

In Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives, the audience gets to see a music luminary whose love for his craft is undiminished by time. While the film is undoubtedly a celebration of Davis’s life and gasp-inducing career, it is also an homage to the magical power of music and its ability to touch lives and shape cultures. In essence, it's not just the soundtrack of Clive Davis's life, but a soundtrack of our lives – an audible tribute to the enduring power of music and one man's indelible influence on it.

The gleaming star power in the film includes numerous interviews and guest appearances by music stalwarts like Paul Simon, Patti Smith, Alicia Keys, and even newer artists such as Jennifer Hudson. The astonished reactions of these artists and their universal praise for Davis serves as a testament to his extraordinary influence on the music industry.

The film ends, fittingly, with a celebration – a star-studded concert at Radio City Music Hall, celebrating Davis's life and career, thus encapsulating the central theme of the documentary – a life immortalized by music.

With its rich tapestry of music history, mesmerizing storytelling, and firsthand accounts from icons of the industry, Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives is a must-watch for music aficionados, artists, and anyone who’s ever been touched by the power of a good song.