“Thank you for the countless wonderful moments we were able to share together over so many decades, both on stage and beyond. As I look through our photographs from so many different chapters of our lives, the same radiant smile looks back at me from every one of them – the smile of music, friendship, and our love for one another. How special those evenings were when, after every concert, we stayed together, talked, laughed, and relived again and again the miracle that making music together meant to us. These memories will stay with us forever. Feeling immeasurable pain, and will miss your heartfelt passion, your warmth, your humanity, and your wonderful, unmistakable voice that touched the hearts of millions of people. It is not only I who mourn you today, but all of our Soulmates, your fans, and your family as well, because we were one community, united by music, freedom, and mutual respect. Only this spring we were still working together on the programme for our summer concerts. We were planning the next gatherings of the Soulmates family and preparing the concept for a major concert in Budapest. We were full of plans, hope, and the joy of creating together… Those plans will now remain memories forever.
Believe that our extraordinary fellow musicians who left before us have now welcomed you in Heaven: Jack Bruce, David Clayton-Thomas, Michael Brecker, Anthony Jackson, Victor Bailey, Jon Lord, and Greg Lake. Together with them, you continue making music in a world where melodies live forever and where the soul is never silenced.My dear Soulmate, your absence will be irreplaceable. But your voice, your smile, your passion, and everything we were blessed to experience together will remain with us at every concert, in every note, and in every silence.Music is eternal, and so are you. You will remain with us forever. Rest in Peace, Bonnie.”
Leslie Mandoki said with a heart full of sorrow farewell to Clive Davis and David Clayton-Thomas.
“Few people have had as profound an impact on modern popular music as Clive Davis. With his extraordinary instinct for talent and remarkable understanding of people, he launched and guided the careers of artists who went on to become global icons, including Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Carlos Santana, Billy Joel, Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin and countless others.”
Leslie Mandoki shared a close relationship with Clive Davis for more than four decades. They first met in New York when Leslie’s legendary mentor, Monti Lüftner-founder of BMG, the music division of Bertelsmann (RTL) – introduced them during the founding years of Arista Records. Over the following decades, Grammy Awards ceremonies, industry events, and countless personal conversations strengthened their professional relationship and deepened their friendship.
“Many people speak of Clive’s five Grammy Awards and the extraordinary artists whose careers he helped build. But above all, I remember the man who remained infinitely kind and humble throughout his life. Despite his enormous influence, he always treated us-musicians and creators-with the greatest respect. It was his humanity that made him truly great. Clive belonged to that rare generation of music visionaries whose decisions were never driven by cold algorithms, streaming statistics, or market reports, but by a genuine love of music and an unwavering belief in artists. There is no doubt that music and talent were always his true compass. Should also mention Clive Davis’s legendary friend, Joel Katz – longtime business representative and one of the most respected entertainment attorneys in the American music industry -who was of Hungarian descent. Sadly, Joel is no longer with us either.
Added: “Clive Davis was a music executive with an exceptional gift for recognizing talent. He understood artists’ creative visions and actively supported them in building international careers. He was never simply a businessman making commercial decisions; he was a long-term creative partner who opened doors, created opportunities, and helped artists develop and express their own unique identities on the world stage.”
In contrast, during the era in Hungary associated with Péter Erdős, the popular music industry operated under a completely centralized system. A single individual decided which artists would receive recording contracts, radio and television exposure, concert opportunities, or even the chance to perform abroad.
Once, after a pre-Grammy reception, Clive and I had a long conversation about the social responsibility of musicians. Back then I said something that I still firmly believe today: truly meaningful music will always be a thorn in the side of power. An artist’s mission is to stand for freedom, to build bridges, and to write songs that unite people rather than divide them. Joel and Clive shared those values with me. I will miss them both dearly.”
David Clayton-Thomas
The name David Clayton-Thomas had already become legendary during Leslie Mandoki’s youth. As the iconic lead singer of Blood, Sweat & Tears, and profoundly influenced generations of musicians and later became Leslie’s creative partner, Soulmate, and close friend for more than thirty-four years.
Their shared journey began with the recording of Mother Europe, alongside Ian Anderson, Jack Bruce, and Bobby Kimball.
Over the years, the Mandoki Soulmates community welcomed such iconic artists as Mike Stern and Randy Brecker, both of whom had previously performed with David – Blood, Sweat & Tears and are widely regarded among the world’s greatest musicians on their respective instruments. Their presence reflects the true spirit of the Mandoki Soulmates – not merely as a band, but as a unique gathering place for some of the international music world’s most extraordinary artists, where artistic freedom, mutual respect, and creative collaboration have always been at the heart of everything they do.
“David held a truly special place in my life. He was my fellow musician, creative partner, and one of the founding members of the Mandoki Soulmates. He was a defining figure in an extraordinary community of artists that includes world-renowned musicians such as Ian Anderson, Jack Bruce, Bobby Kimball, Al Di Meola, and many others.
David’s own career was remarkable. As one of the defining members of the legendary Blood, Sweat & Tears, became one of the outstanding voices of rock, jazz, and fusion music.
“Our first musical step together came more than thirty-five years ago. Neither of us could have imagined then that it would mark the beginning of a musical and human journey spanning more than three decades. Mother Europe gave voice to Hungary’s Central European aspirations, and with it, a beautiful story began,“ Leslie Mandoki recalls.
Over the years, they recorded twelve albums together, toured the world, and shared stages in New York, Berlin, London, and Paris. In Budapest, they opened the very 1st Sziget Festival, rehearsed at the legendary Bem Club, performed during the 50 Years of Rock concert series and the Wings of Freedom tour, collaborated with Chaka Khan, Al Di Meola, Randy Brecker, Greg Lake, Jack Bruce, and countless other international stars, and together presented the People in Room No. 8 album on the legendary German television show Wetten, dass..?
“It is incredibly difficult to say goodbye. I truly believed David would always be there beside me. For more than thirty-four years we made music together, travelled together, laughed together, and shared those unique moments that can only be understood by people who have devoted their lives to music. He possessed an extraordinary voice and an extraordinary heart. I will always be grateful that our paths crossed. That gift will remain with me forever.”
What Remains Is Not the Loss, but the Gratitude. Leslie Mandoki bids farewell to David Clayton-Thomas with one final photograph of the two of them together, taken in New York, while remembering Clive Davis through a photograph he took himself, capturing one unforgettable moment at Clive Davis’s legendary pre-Grammy party. Both images stand as lasting reminders of more than four decades of friendship and mutual respect.
“Today I look at these photographs through very different eyes. They are beautiful and irreplaceable memories. They show people who believed in one another, who believed in the power of art, and who believed that music has the power to make the world a better place.I am grateful to fate for allowing me to walk this journey alongside them. Very few people are fortunate enough not only to admire their heroes but also to embrace them as friends.Time is merciless. One day, all of us must lay down our instruments, leave the stage behind, and make room for the next generation. Clive believed in people and in talent. David sang songs and gave a part of himself with every performance.
Today, the world of music mourns two extraordinary human beings. Their absence will always be painful, but my gratitude is stronger than my grief. I am thankful that I knew them, that I could learn from them, that we could dream together and make music together. Rest in peace, my dear friends.”
Leslie concluded: “And we will carry forward everything they taught us. We will continue to create as musicians devoted to the ideals of freedom, humbly serving our audience, because we believe that meaningful music will always remain a thorn in the side of power. The purpose of songs is not to divide us, but to build bridges-to connect people, cultures, and generations.”
Press release: Red Rock Studio
Up date by Aggie Reiter
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