Legendary music producer Clive Davis, dubbed “the man with the golden ears,” passed away at the age of 94, at his Manhattan home on Monday (June 21), according to a social media post from his family.

Davis’ family said Davis was “a towering figure whose influence changed music forever” as well as “the man who led our family with grace, generosity, and kindness.”

Davis was reportedly hospitalized in late May for a respiratory issue and discharged earlier this month.

Davis, who was instrumental in steering Columbia, Arista and J Records to the peak of the pop music business, told CNN in 2013 that he was thrust into music. “Never knowing I had a natural ear and gift for music that,” he said, “would become the passion of my life.”

He produced the works of iconic musicians including Janis Joplin, Whitney Houston, Billy Joel and Santana.

Joplin was Davis’ first major signing. In his memoir The Soundtrack of my Life, Davis described Joplin’s stage presence as “not conventionally beautiful,” but “her body seemed to vibrate with the modulations of her voice, which struck with equal impact whether she was wailing at the top of her lungs or delivering an intimate whisper.”

Davis is survived by three sons and a daughter.