Clive Davis met Houston at a New York City nightclub in the early 1980s, and he signed her shortly after hearing her perform. Prior to his work with Houston, Davis was the president of Columbia Records from 1967 to 1973, and the president of Arista Records from 1974 to 2000. Davis is known for working with several legendary musicians and groups, including Janice Joplin, Bruce Springsteen, Sly and The Family Stone, and Billy Joel, according to his official website.