“I don’t feel it’s a matter of pride, it’s a matter of people learning more about life and not having stereotypical, rigid ideas,” he told The Guardian in his 2014 interview. “I certainly knew the subject was misunderstood, that whether you were straight or gay, if you found somebody who was truly bisexual that you’d stereotype them. If it helps reduce the misunderstanding and the stereotypical attitudes about it, then great.”

He added, “But I don’t view it as an achievement. It is what it is.”

As for the many legendary artists he worked with over the years—which also included Barry Manilow and Aretha Franklin—Davis was eternally proud of the deep connections he built.

“I’m privileged that my relationship with artists goes over many years,” he told The Guardian. “When I founded Arista in 1975, I established relationships with writers and publishers and so began this odyssey.”

And even then, the allure of finding the perfect song for an artist never lost its appeal.

“It’s pure creativity, going through hundreds of songs and meeting with the artist as you distil them,” he said. “It works beautifully.”

(E! and MS NOW are both part of Versant Media.)