Arista

Arista Means Excellence

The Offer from Columbia Pictures

In 1974, Clive Davis was approached by Alan Hirschfield, president and CEO of Columbia Pictures, to revitalize Bell Records, a struggling pop label owned by the film and television company. Bell had experienced intermittent success with artists like the Delfonics, the 5th Dimension, and Tony Orlando and Dawn, but its reliance on singles rather than albums had limited its profitability. Hirschfield envisioned transforming Bell into an industry leader and saw Clive’s track record at Columbia Records as key to achieving that goal.

 

After extensive discussions, Clive accepted the challenge. The plan was to start a completely new label funded by a $10 million investment from Columbia Pictures, with Clive holding a 20% equity stake. He would have full discretion to retain or release Bell’s roster of artists and executives. This marked a fresh opportunity for Clive to shape a label from the ground up.

Establishing the Arista Brand

From the outset, Clive prioritized creating a strong identity for the new label, including finding an inspiring name. Drawing from his high school experience with the Arista branch of the National Honor Society, he chose the name “Arista,” signifying excellence and first-class achievement. The name avoided genre-specific connotations and reflected the label’s ambition to produce quality music across multiple genres. A sleek, elegant logo was designed, signaling professionalism and high standards.

 

Clive also relocated the label from its previous office at 1776 Broadway to a prestigious building at 6 West Fifty-seventh Street, just off Fifth Avenue. This new location offered a refined and dignified environment, symbolizing the fresh start and ambition of the label. The move was completed in July 1976.

Building a Stellar Executive Team

One of Clive’s top priorities was assembling a first-rate management team. He recruited talent both from within Bell and from other labels, ensuring the team was equipped to drive Arista’s success. Key hires included:

 

  • Elliot Goldman: Executive Vice President, a trusted colleague from Columbia

  • Bob Feiden: Director of A&R, known for his encyclopedic knowledge of artists

  • Milt Sincoff: Vice President of Production

  • Michael Klenfner: Director of National Promotion, brought over from Columbia

  • David Carrico: Vice President of Promotion

  • Aaron Levy: Chief Financial Officer

  • Bob Buziak: West Coast Operations Head, later promoted to U.K. Managing Director

  • Rick Chertoff: A&R executive with a keen ear for hits

 

This team, which included future industry leaders like Richard Palmese and Rick Dobbis, formed the foundation of Arista’s operational and creative leadership.

Evaluating Bell’s Artist Roster

Bell had around 50 artists on its roster, and Clive personally evaluated their music and live performances. He retained eight artists, including:

  • The 5th Dimension: A successful vocal group with hit potential

  • Melissa Manchester: A promising singer-songwriter

  • Peter Nero: A popular pianist and conductor

  • Al Wilson: Best known for his hit “Show and Tell”

  • Suzi Quatro: A rock artist with growing appeal


Tony Orlando and Dawn, who had moved to Elektra/Asylum, remained a part of Bell’s catalog, allowing Arista to release three additional albums of their material.


Among the retained artists was Barry Manilow, whose first Bell album had not performed well. Clive recognized his potential as a dynamic entertainer with a strong connection to live audiences. Manilow would go on to become one of Arista’s defining successes.

 

New Signings and Diverse Genres 

Clive sought to establish Arista as a label with broad appeal, signing artists across a range of genres, including:

 

  • Gil Scott-Heron: A pioneering spoken-word artist and musician

  • Lou Rawls: A soulful crooner with a rich catalog

  • Eric Andersen: A respected singer-songwriter

  • Garland Jeffreys: Known for his blend of rock, reggae, and soul

  • Anthony Braxton and the Brecker Brothers: Artists in jazz and jazz-fusion

  • The Headhunters: A jazz-funk band

 

These artists helped diversify Arista’s offerings and established the label as a home for both established and emerging talent.

Arista’s Launch and Early Vision

Arista officially launched in November 1974. Clive’s vision was clear: to build a label that could compete in every genre, driven by quality albums, hit singles, and artists capable of dynamic live performances. The early efforts to define Arista’s identity—through a prestigious name, talented executives, and a carefully curated roster—laid the groundwork for what would become a dominant force in the music industry.

Facts from the Narrative

  1. Arista’s Founding: Clive Davis founded Arista Records in 1974 with a $10 million investment from Columbia Pictures and a 20% equity stake.

  2. Bell Records Transition: Arista was created by rebranding Bell Records, which had struggled with a singles-driven model and lacked a strong identity.

  3. Executive Team: Clive built a stellar management team, including Elliot Goldman, Michael Klenfner, Bob Feiden, and Rick Chertoff, many of whom later became leaders in the industry.

  4. New Offices: Arista moved from 1776 Broadway to a prestigious location at 6 West Fifty-seventh Street, symbolizing its elevated aspirations.

  5. Artist Roster: Clive retained eight Bell artists, including the 5th Dimension, Melissa Manchester, and Barry Manilow, while adding new talent like Gil Scott-Heron, Lou Rawls, and the Brecker Brothers.

  6. Barry Manilow’s Retention: Clive saw potential in Barry Manilow despite his initial lack of commercial success, and Manilow became a cornerstone of Arista’s early achievements.

  7. Arista’s Name and Logo: The label’s name, inspired by Clive’s high school honor society, symbolized excellence and became a key part of its identity.

 

Sources:

Back to Timeline