Bruce Springsteen, Jennifer Hudson, Alicia Keys and other music stars paid emotional tributes to legendary music executive Clive Davis at his funeral. The ceremony celebrated the man Springsteen said “was born to run everything!”

The 90-minute service took place at Central Synagogue in Midtown Manhattan. Davis died last Monday at the age of 94 after a music career that lasted more than six decades. Stevie Wonder, Gayle King and several top music executives also attended.

Springsteen recalls life-changing meeting

Springsteen looked back on his first audition for Davis in 1972 before joining Columbia Records.

“Clive was big and bombastic and brave and full of ideas and just believed, believed, believed, believed,” he said. “He dressed like a king, and he was born to run everything!”

He also remembered Davis welcoming him after the audition by saying, “Welcome to Columbia Records,” a moment he said changed his life forever.

Hudson and Keys deliver emotional moments

Jennifer Hudson moved the audience with performances of “Hallelujah” and Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.” She paused several times to hold back tears before finishing the performance.

Alicia Keys also became emotional as she remembered meeting Davis when she was 15.

“You saw something in me that I was only just beginning to see in myself, and that’s a gift I’ll never fully be able to repay, only honour,” she said. “You didn’t just sign an artist, you recognised a soul.”

Artists celebrate Davis’ legacy

Dionne Warwick recalled how Davis convinced her to return to music when she planned to quit. “Well,” he insisted, “the business isn’t willing to give you up!”

Barry Manilow also praised Davis for helping turn “Brandy” into “Mandy,” the song that became his first major hit.

The service ended with prayers before guests left to classical versions of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” and Springsteen’s “Born to Run.” The music provided a fitting farewell to the executive who helped shape the careers of some of the world’s biggest artists.