Milli Vanilli

Arista Pop Explodes: A New Era for Clive Davis and the Rise of Milli Vanilli

Energizing the Arista Team

In 1983, Clive Davis brought Don Ienner on board as head of promotion, a strategic decision that injected fresh energy into Arista Records. Ienner’s competitive drive and leadership were instrumental in propelling Arista’s artists to new heights. Under Davis’s guidance, Arista strengthened its team with new A&R staff and marketing experts, setting the stage for a monumental era. By mid-decade, Arista had solidified its position as a powerhouse in the industry, breaking acts like Air Supply, Kenny G, and Billy Ocean, while reinvigorating the careers of Dionne Warwick and the Kinks.

Breakthroughs in Dance-Pop: Exposé and Taylor Dayne

Davis demonstrated his knack for identifying potential in emerging artists. Exposé, a Miami-based dance-pop group, became one of Arista’s major successes. Davis recognized the crossover appeal of their single “Point of No Return” and, after strategic changes to the lineup, helped the group achieve seven consecutive Top 10 hits. This achievement, reminiscent of the Supremes’ success, marked a defining moment in dance-pop history.

 

Similarly, Davis played a pivotal role in launching Taylor Dayne’s career. He identified the star quality in her voice and guided the production of her debut album, Tell It to My Heart, which featured four consecutive Top 10 hits. Davis’s collaboration with top songwriters like Diane Warren ensured Dayne’s follow-up album, Can’t Fight Fate, maintained her chart dominance with hits like “Love Will Lead You Back.”

Rekindling Carly Simon’s Stardom

Clive Davis revitalized Carly Simon’s career during the late 1980s. After a period of declining success, Simon signed with Arista and quickly achieved a comeback with the soundtrack single “Coming Around Again” from Heartburn. Davis’s support led to the platinum-certified Coming Around Again album and the Emmy-winning HBO special Greatest Hits Live. Simon’s song “Let the River Run,” from Working Girl, earned her an Oscar, Golden Globe, and Grammy, underscoring Davis’s ability to reignite an artist’s commercial appeal.

Milli Vanilli: From Phenomenon to Scandal

The Milli Vanilli saga, a cautionary tale in pop history, unfolded under Davis’s watch. In 1989, Arista released Girl You Know It’s True, a master pickup from German producer Frank Farian. The album, featuring infectious pop tracks like “Blame It on the Rain,” became a sensation, selling over 6 million copies in the U.S. alone. However, Farian’s use of session singers instead of Rob Pilatus and Fab Morvan, the duo’s public faces, sparked a scandal when revealed.

 

Despite accusations of complicity, Davis and Arista executives maintained they were unaware of the deception. Davis had provided songs for the album but was denied oversight of the recording process. When the truth emerged, the fallout included lawsuits, the revocation of Milli Vanilli’s Grammy, and a tarnished reputation for all involved. Yet, Davis emphasized that the music itself resonated with audiences, with few fans returning the albums despite the controversy.

A Legacy of Pop Innovation

Under Davis’s leadership, Arista thrived by pushing boundaries and embracing diverse genres. From reviving interest in the Monkees to cultivating dance-pop sensations, Davis navigated the unpredictable tides of the music industry with vision and strategy. While the Milli Vanilli debacle cast a shadow, it also underscored the risks inherent in the pursuit of groundbreaking success.

Facts from the Narrative

  1. Leadership Transformation: Clive Davis brought Don Ienner to Arista in 1983, energizing the team and driving the label’s commercial success.

  2. Exposé’s Historic Run: Under Davis, Exposé achieved seven consecutive Top 10 singles, a feat unmatched by any girl group since the Supremes.

  3. Taylor Dayne’s Chart Dominance: Davis guided Taylor Dayne to seven consecutive Top 10 singles, securing her place as a pop powerhouse.

  4. Carly Simon’s Comeback: Davis revitalized Carly Simon’s career with Coming Around Again and “Let the River Run,” which earned her an Oscar, Grammy, and Golden Globe.

  5. Milli Vanilli Controversy: Despite their success, Milli Vanilli’s scandal revealed the risks of relying on external producers and underscored Davis’s reliance on transparency in artist development.

  6. Strategic Risk-Taking: Davis consistently took calculated risks, from repackaging the Monkees’ catalog to embracing new dance-pop trends, resulting in significant commercial success for Arista.

 

Sources:

Back to Timeline