Clive Davis Takes Over RCA

Clive Davis, who learned the record biz under the watchful eye of Thomas Edison, will head the reformed RCA Records:

Clive Davis, the longtime music mogul and founder of J Records, will head the combined RCA music group, BMG said in a statement.

Terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.

RCA Music is home to such stars as Christina Aguilera, the Foo Fighters and Dave Mathews. J Records is known for recording such artists as Alicia Keys and Luther Vandross.

Bob Jamieson, chairman and chief executive of RCA music group, is leaving and in discussions with BMG about future roles, the company said.

Davis, known for signing Whitney Houston and other superstars, was forced out of Arista, BMG’s other record label, in June 2000. He launched J Records in August of that year as a 50-50 joint venture with BMG, which invested $150 million. [from CBS MarketWatch]

Edison would be proud.