Latest news with #CliveDavis
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Way
On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Way originally appeared on Parade. Sometimes the biggest dreams require the boldest risks, and 53 years ago today, five Boston musicians proved that betting everything on one night can change your life forever. On August 5, 1972, Aerosmith secured their legendary $125,000 record deal with Columbia Records in a way that perfectly embodies rock and roll hustle. The unbelievable part? The band literally paid their own way to perform at Max's Kansas City, a small New York venue, knowing that music industry powerhouse Clive Davis would be in attendance. This wasn't a lucky break or accidental discovery – it was a calculated gamble that required incredible confidence and financial sacrifice from five young musicians who believed in their destiny. Davis, the legendary executive who also signed , Billy Joel, and Pink Floyd, witnessed something special that night. Aerosmith's performance was so compelling that he offered them a deal on the spot, launching one of rock's most enduring careers. The band had strategically included "Mama Kin" in their setlist – a song so meaningful to Steven Tyler that he later tattooed "MA KIN" inside a heart on his bicep. What makes this story truly remarkable is how it demonstrates the power of creating your own opportunities. Rather than waiting to be discovered, Aerosmith invested their own money to put themselves in front of the right person at the right time. Their belief in their music was so strong that they were willing to risk everything for one performance. The strategy paid off spectacularly. Just five months later, in January 1973, their self-titled debut album was released, featuring future classics like "Dream On" and "Mama Kin." Eight days after the album release, "Mama Kin" became their first single – the very song that helped seal their record deal that fateful night at Max's Kansas band even immortalized this pivotal moment in their 1979 song "No Surprize" with the lyrics about how "at Max's Kansas City we won" and how "old Clive Davis said he's surely gonna make us a star." It became part of their rock and roll mythology, proving that sometimes the best stories are the true ones. 🎬 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🎬 This origin story perfectly captures the essence of what made Aerosmith special from the beginning – they weren't just talented musicians, they were strategic dreamers who understood that success requires both incredible music and incredible courage. Fifty-three years later, that one night of calculated risk-taking launched a career that would influence countless artists and cement their place in rock history. On This Day 53 Years Ago, Legendary Rock Band Aerosmith Got Their First Record Deal in the Most Iconic Way first appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
Black America Web
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Black America Web
Apollo Theater Raises Record Breaking Millions at Gala, Honors Legends
Source: Daniel Zuchnik / Getty The nation's iconic Apollo Theater in Harlem announced a record breaking $3.2 million raised at its 2025 Spring gala. The funds will support year-round programming that amplifies artistic excellence, youth education, community engagement and a major renovation of the over 100 year old theater that has launched the careers of thousands of African American artists from Ella Fitzgerald to James Brown to Gladys Knight, H.E.R. D'Angelo, and Lauryn Hill. Its Amateur Night is the genesis for popular shows like American Idol It was a night filled with purpose and praise, honoring music industry titan Clive Davis with the Legacy Award and inducting him into the Apollo's Walk of Fame. Rising from the very same stage she first stepped on as a child, Harlem-born artist and multi-hyphenate Teyana Taylor received the inaugural Innovator Award. Radio/TV personality Jazmyn Summerswas there for Radio One to bring you the tea. STAY INFORMED! CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! Clive Davis: Reviving Icons and Shaping Sound Few figures in the music industry have shaped careers as profoundly—or resuscitated them as masterfully—as Clive Davis. The legendary executive, founder of Arista Records, famously revitalized the careers of two vocal powerhouses: Aretha Franklin and Dionne Warwick. After Aretha Franklin's chart presence had faded by the late 1970s, Davis signed her to Arista in 1980. With an ear toward contemporary production, he paired her with rising producers like Luther Vandross, resulting in the chart-topping Jump to It and the Grammy-winning Freeway of Love . Franklin's resurgence under Davis's leadership marked one of the most celebrated comebacks in music. Equally powerful was Davis's role in returning Dionne Warwick to the top. After a career lull, he signed her to Arista in 1979. Warwick was unsure of her future in music—until Davis stepped in. 'You may be ready to give the business up,' Davis told her, 'but the business is not ready to give you up.' That encouragement led to I'll Never Love This Way Again —a platinum-selling hit—and the landmark anthem ' That's What Friends Are For.' Decades later, Warwick recounted: 'His words still ring in my ear… 'Uh‑uh, young lady. You may be ready to give this industry up, but the industry is not ready to give you up.' RELATED STORY: Usher Shows Mad Love to Wife at Apollo Theater 90th Anniversary RELATED STORY: Red Carpet Rundown: Doechii, Halle Bailey, Ciara & More Slay Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Gala Teyana Taylor: From Harlem Kid to Culture Shaper For Teyana Taylor, the night was a homecoming. Having first performed at the Apollo at just 8 years old, she returned now as a bold and boundary-breaking artist, director, and fashion visionary. Receiving the Innovator Award, Taylor offered heartfelt thanks to the institution that shaped her beginnings: 'Thank you for the village you have placed in my life. I'm filled with so much gratitude.' Her evolution from neighborhood prodigy to industry innovator reflects the very soul of the Apollo's mission—to nurture, elevate, and honor Black brilliance. Source: Shahar Azran / Getty A Starry Celebration of Sound and Legacy Hosted by comedian Kym Whitley, the gala unfolded with a vibrant lineup of performers, including Method Man, Busta Rhymes, Deborah Cox, Shoshana Bean, The Baylor Project, Avery Sunshine, and Camille A. Brown & Dancers—all brought to life under the direction of musical maestro Adam Blackstone. Civil rights leader Rev. Al Sharpton presented a moving tribute to longtime Apollo supporter entrepreneur Richard Parsons, recognizing his visionary leadership and dedication. And when the formal program ended, Harlem kept dancing—thanks to the return of DJ D-Nice, who transformed 126th Street into a star-studded party pulsing with joy, rhythm, and community love. The Apollo's Next Act: Restoration and Renewal Apollo President and CEO Michelle Ebanks unveiled a bold vision for the theater's future, including an expansive renovation of the historic venue: 'Our education program is reaching more young people than ever… this renovation is part of an evolution set in motion more than a decade ago.' Updates will include new orchestra seating, modern acoustics and lighting, upgraded dressing rooms, and a full restoration of the iconic Apollo marquee—ensuring the venue remains as powerful visually as it is spiritually. The 2025 Apollo Spring Gala was more than a fundraiser—it was a resounding testament to the resilience and ongoing influence of Black music, art, and community. Its success in raising over $3.2 million positions the theater for its next phase, ensuring the Apollo remains a beacon for future generations of artists. Check out carpet interviews, Clive spilling the real tea on Aretha's and Dionne's comeback, Teyana's speech, and some of the dynamic performances BELOW. Source: Jazmyn Summers / Jazmyn Summers Article by Jazmyn Summers. Photos and video by Melissa Nyomi Stoll of MelshotyaYou can hear Jazmyn every morning on 'Jazmyn in the Morning 'on Sirius XM Channel 362 Grown Folk Jamz . Subscribe to J azmyn Summers' YouTube . Follow her on Facebook and Instagram. SEE ALSO Black America Web Featured Video CLOSE
