Mark Ronson Unveils Secrets Behind Adele’s Sound; Clive Davis on Recording Aretha Franklin!

On a recent Tuesday night, the Iris Cantor Theatre at NYU was buzzing with excitement as music legends Clive Davis and Mark Ronson gathered for a special event.

The pair were there to discuss their documentary “Do You Remember,” sharing tales of their experiences with iconic artists like Aretha Franklin and Adele.

Ronson reminisced about meeting a young Adele when she was just 18, describing how she would record a song up to 25 times to perfect it.

“By the fourteenth take, Adele’s voice would really start to shine, capturing that distinctive sound that everyone adores,” Ronson explained.

On the contrary, Aretha Franklin approached recording with a different tactic, often completing a track in no more than three takes, according to Davis.

“She was a true musical genius, rarely needing more than three takes to nail a song,” Davis shared.

The 45-minute discussion was guided by critic Anthony DeCurtis, during which Davis revealed a lesser-known fact about Franklin’s spontaneity in the studio.

“Aretha often improvised, which sometimes clashed with the melody’s catchiness. When I pointed out it might hinder our hit potential, she would be back in the studio early the next day to adjust it,” Davis recounted.

He praised Franklin’s professionalism, adding, “She was the consummate pro.”

Davis also shared a humorous anecdote from the 1980s, when he was charged $2,700 for a modest, alcohol-free dinner with Franklin. After questioning the bill, the maître-d’ later admitted the mistake, explaining that Franklin’s bodyguards had run up a large tab at the bar.

Reflecting on his time with the late Amy Winehouse, Ronson expressed how she profoundly influenced his musical journey.

“Amy had a unique energy that sparked my creativity. Working with her taught me that the most exhilarating projects are often the ones that resonate most with the audience,” he said.

During the event, Davis highlighted the presence of Ronson’s mother, Ann Dexter-Jones, in the audience, noting her special invitation.

“Having Mark’s mother here tonight means a lot. Family should always come first,” Davis remarked.