RUMOR MILL
Monday, October 16, 2000
DAVIS LOYALISTS SHOWN THE DOOR
Reid’s Arista Becomes More And More Clive-Free
An Arista spokeswoman confirmed that a dozen employees leftover from the Clive Davis era were let go as of Friday (10/13), according to the Hollywood Reporter. Sources said the layoffs ranged from VPs to directors.
The move had been expected since L.A. Reid took over as Arista president and CEO in July. The layoffs will more than likely allow Reid and his executive VPs Larry Mestel and Jerry Blair to bring in their own people.
Davis' ouster at Arista ended his 25-year reign at the label he founded. In August, David inked a $150 million joint-venture agreement with parent company BMG to start his own label, J Records. Several artists and Arista senior staffers—including Charles Goldstuck, Alan Newham, Tom Corson and Richard Palmese—followed Davis to J.
Insiders predicted the move would not serve to ease tensions between the camps, according to the Reporter.
Meanwhile, in Yugoslavia, ousted leader Slobodan Milosevic pondered starting up his own country.
