The documentary Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives, directed by Chris Perkel, will open the 16th edition of the Tribeca Film Festival. Presented by AT&T, the feature-length documentary will hold its world premiere at Radio City Music Hall on Wednesday, April 19, 2017.
The screening will be followed by a concert featuring performances by many of the legendary impresario’s great artists, including Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson and Earth, Wind & Fire.
Clive Davis is a legend in the movie industry. He signed Aerosmith in the 1970s, helped propel and lead Whitney Houston’s career, and founded Bad Boy Records alongside Sean Combs. Other artists under his management whose careers he helped shape include Janis Joplin, Barry Manilow, Carly Simon, TLC, Bruce Springsteen and Santana.
From the release: “Based on Davis’ 2013 bestselling autobiography, the film chronicles the historic influence of “The Man with the Golden Ears,” who rose from humble beginnings, and in a compelling and riveting journey, became one of the music industry’s most iconic figures. Directed by Chris Perkel, the film is produced by Michael Bernstein of Scott Free Productions, with Ridley Scott and Mary Lisio executive producing alongside IM Global’s Stuart Ford, David Schulhof, and Deborah Zipser. Leading independent film and television studio IM Global provided financing for the film.
“Directing this film provided a wonderful challenge because Clive Davis stands at the center of a culture-defining array of talent that has shaped the last half century of contemporary music. His is an inspiring story that’s sure to leave you with a smile on your face, a tug at your heart and a playlist of hits forever stuck in your head,” said director Chris Perkel.
The movie features interviews with many of the artists Davis signed, influenced and whose careers he has driven, including Simon & Garfunkel, Bruce Springsteen, Earth Wind & Fire, Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Patti Smith, The Kinks, The Grateful Dead, Dionne Warwick, Aretha Franklin, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson, Rod Stewart, Sean “Puffy” Combs, and, of course, Whitney Houston.
The movie will also take an inside look, for the first time, at Davis’ storied, annual Pre-Grammy Gala, which just turned 40. The hottest ticket of the year, it draws the biggest stars in music film, television and politics.
The Tribeca Film Festival runs April 19 – 30, 2017. For more info, visit the film festival’s website here.
