Clive Davis says he's bisexual

Clive Davis poses for a portrait in New York on Feb. 18, 2013. / AP

Record executive Clive Davis says he's bisexual.

In his new memoir out Tuesday, the 80-year-old music mogul, who is twice divorced, reveals that he had sex with a man in the 1970s. Davis writes in "The Soundtrack of My Life" that he hadn't been repressed or confused during his marriages and that sex with a man "provided welcome relief."

Davis is the chief creative officer of Sony Music Entertainment. He writes that he's been in a "strong monogamous relationship" with a man for the last seven years.

He also writes that he dated a man from 1990 to 2004, which he says was a "tough adjustment" for his son Mitchell. He says after "one trying year," he and his son worked things out. Davis is the father of three children.

In a new interview with ABC's "Nightline," Davis says bisexuality is "maligned and misunderstood," adding, "I'm not lying. Bisexuality does exist. For over 50 years I never had sex with a male. It wasn't repressed. I had very good sexual relationships with women."

In the book, Davis also delves into his experiences in the music industry, recounting his time with Whitney Houston, Bruce Springsteen, Simon & Garfunkel, Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, the Grateful Dead and others.

He recalls speaking with Houston in the days leading up to her 2012 death, noting how the singer had said she was back on track.

"Maybe I should have been more skeptical," Davis wrote. "But I've always been optimistic, and I felt hopeful. It felt like old times."

[rainbowmuzik]

Shocked? Surprised? Ok, yes, there is a wow factor involved here, but only because he, like so many others in the music industry felt for so many years during their tenure that it is/was necessary to hide their true selves....and deceive the public. There is nothing wrong with presenting yourself as a brand or image, in which true life contradicts your stage persona. When you carry your stage persona into your offstage life, plotting and planning your every move so that your secret/lie/reality does not become exposed, it is THEN that you intentionally deceive the public, and understandably lose their respect. It is liberating to be honest and tell the truth. Forget about whether or not you will be accepted and MAKE people accept you by being yourself and by demonstrating your talents in such a way that COMMANDS respect because your talent SPEAKS FOR ITSELF! Your sexuality does NOT define you...it is NOT responsible for your talent, integrity, or skills necessary to perform a job. Sexuality is not a crutch, step ladder or handicap! To all those LGBT artists that have doubts about public acceptance, I say look to Boy George, Ru Paul, Lady Gaga, Frank Ocean, and add your own name to the list. Success is what you make of it. Rainbow Muzik encourages EVERY artist to Be Different, Be the Same, Be YOURSELF....Let the MUSIC Define You! (more on www.rainbowmuzik.com)

[MelissaHouston]

Congratulations on finally Coming Out as bisexual to the world Clive...Whitney Houston who is also bisexual & I already knew that Clive was bisexual & enjoying homosexual relatonships with other guys.

[annekiyimba]

Clive, that's your personal Biz, no need to tell us

[CBSequalsSeeBS]

reminds me of this old joke. sums up this guy perfectly:

A snake and a blind rabbit bump into each other in a field. The trusting bunny says to the snake, "I've been blind all my life, and I've never known what kind of animal I am. Would you feel me and tell me? So the snake feels the bunny's ears. He says, well, you have soft pointy ears, a soft round tail, you are warm and furry, I think you're a rabbit! The bunny squealed with delight. "Thank you, thank you, I'm forever grateful!". Then the snake said, "would you return the favor? I've also been blind all my life, and would like to know what kind of animal I am." So the bunny felt him. "You are cold-blooded, you are slimy, and you seem to have no ears...I think you're a record executive

[GOP-R--Con-Men]

And this is news why?

[werntrouble]

I could care less about his sexual preferences. This is so not a story, just something to help him advertise his book...Yawnnnnnnn

[Brawny71]

Um, we don't "need to know" anything in a celebrity memoir. If you want part of a person's story censored to your liking, you're the ******.

[sceptic13]

Gag. Did we really need to know this. And for the slander he printed about Kelly Clark, with morals like his is anyone surprised?

[LW28]

What should his morality have anything to do with his sexuality? In this case, they appear to be completely separate matters. He did not, to our knowledge, set out to deceive anyone about his sexual preferences then go on to lie about Kelly Clarkson. There is no relation here. Sure, it could be argued that he did not broadcast his sexuality to other people, and therefore lied by omission, but why should he have to broadcast that? Straight people do not broadcast that they are straight.

[ronjames1968]

LM 28 what does his sexuality have to do with morality? everything!!! demands!

[compduck]

My stomach UGH.........Did we need this info?

[Aussie_convict]

And yet you clicked your mouse and read the article. Its OK Compduck you can come out now.

[rjack61]

Its funny that he comes out of the 'closet' after all these years at age 80. What was he afraid of? Poor record sales? He could have kept that secret.