Clive Davis Given The "Polite" Shove

Clive Davis has been demoted by Sony BMG in a corporate reshuffle at the world's second largest record company:

Clive Davis replaced by Barry Weiss as BMG head

By NEKESA MUMBI MOODY – 21 hours ago

NEW YORK (AP) — Legendary music executive Clive Davis has been replaced by Barry Weiss as chairman and chief executive officer of the BMG label group.

Parent company Sony BMG announced the move Thursday. The 74-year-old Davis will become chief creative officer of Sony BMG. Two other BMG executives also departed in the label shakeup.

The 49-year-old Weiss oversaw several labels as president and CEO of the Zomba Label Group. He helped grow Jive Records from a small imprint to a major force with such blockbuster acts as Britney Spears, Usher, the Backstreet Boys, Justin Timberlake and 'N Sync. Recent successes include teen sensation Chris Brown and singer-songwriter T-Pain.

As head of BMG, Weiss will oversee RCA Records, Jive, J Records, LaFace, Arista, Volcano, Verity, GospoCentric and Fo Yo Soul.

Sony BMG said that Davis will continue to work with top artists in his new position as chief creative officer Sony BMG Worldwide.