The big 'Clive Davis news' was his coming-out in his new memoir, ‘The Soundtrack of My Life’, in which he wrote he had ‘loving relationships and sexual intimacy’ with men and women. But honestly who cares about the sexuality of a 80-year-old? I have thought he was gay before, so I wasn’t surprised at all.
But the other big news was Kelly Clarkson’s reaction to the book. Through the Website 'Who Say', she posted a long text claiming Davis lied about her career! Her message, direct and witty, basically says that Davis, who got in charge of her career after her American Idol win, didn’t describe the things the way they happened:
‘February 19, 2013 Hey y'all,
So I just heard Clive Davis is releasing a memoir and spreading false information about me and my music. I refuse to be bullied and I just have to clear up his memory lapses and misinformation for myself and for my fans. It feels like a violation. Growing up is awesome because you learn you don't have to cower to anyone – even Clive Davis.
First, he says I burst into "hysterical sobbing" in his office when he demanded Since You Been Gone be on my album. Not true at all. His stories and songs are mixed up. I did want more guitars added to the original demo and Clive did not. Max, Luke and I still fought for the bigger sound and we prevailed and I couldn't be more proud of the life of that song. I resent him dampening that song in any way.
But, yes, I did cry in his office once. I cried after I played him a song I had written about my life called "Because Of You." I cried because he hated it and told me verbatim that I was a "sh*tty writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me." He continued on about how the song didn't rhyme and how I should just shut up and sing. This was devastating coming from a man who I, as a young girl, considered a musical hero and was so honored to work with.
But I continued to fight for the song and the label relented. And it became a worldwide hit. He didn't include that in the book.
He also goes on to say My December wasn't successful because I co-penned the album and it didn't have "pop hits". Well, first let me say, I've co-penned many of my "pop hits." Secondly, My December went platinum (It sold 20,000 less than All I Ever Wanted which followed My December.) Hardly a huge failure. Never Again, the ONLY single they released in the US from that record was a Top 10 hit. I am very proud of that and I have my fans to thank. But, again, what's most interesting about his story is what he leaves out: He doesn't mention how he stood up in front of his company at a convention and belittled me and my music and completely sabotaged the entire project. It never had a chance to reach it's full potential. My December was an album I needed to make for myself for many reasons and the fact that I was so completely disregarded and disrespected was so disheartening, there really aren't words to explain….
Anyway, I love my job. I love my music. I love my fans. I love my label and all of my professional relationships… now. And I am grateful for Clive for teaching me to know the difference.
Cheers to another amazing year! And, as always, thanks for listening!
KC’
Well said, it takes guts to stand up against a powerful man such as Davis, and apparently Kelly Clarkson doesn’t lack any. She has always appeared to me as a down-to earth person and there is no reason she would take the risk to write this about the guy who is a big part in the careers of Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Alicia Keys, Barry Manilow and Whitney Houston (to name only a few) if it wasn’t true.
It’s a shame this old guy told her she ‘was a shitty writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me’, apparently he is a control freak, a liar and a bully, a lot of things he should have admitted before saying he was bisexual. Now, if all the stars who have been vampirized by this guy – Kelly can’t be the only one – would do their coming out too!
Since the time Clarkson posted the above text, Davis’ team took the time to answer by a statement of their own, but I will not bother to repost it here, it is some gibberish written by lawyers, contrarily to Clarkson’s post which sounded totally authentic.
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