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Clive Davis fires back after Kelly Clarkson slam

Thanks to Kelly Clarkson, the soundtrack to Clive Davis' life is more discord than harmony these days.With the release this week of his memoir, "The Soundtrack of My Life," the legendary music mogul made headlines for revealing, among other things, that he is bisexual and clashed with his "American Idol" protégé.Davis claims in the tell-all that Clarkson "burst into hysterical sobbing" after fir
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Thanks to Kelly Clarkson, the soundtrack to Clive Davis' life is more discord than harmony these days.

With the release this week of his memoir, "The Soundtrack of My Life," the legendary music mogul made headlines for revealing, among other things, that he is bisexual and clashed with his "American Idol" protégé.

Davis claims in the tell-all that Clarkson "burst into hysterical sobbing" after first hearing her hit songs "Since U Been Gone" and "Behind These Hazel Eyes" and fought to cut them from her 2004 album, "Breakaway."

"It was a very tough conversation, and it didn't get any easier when Kelly burst into hysterical sobbing," he writes. "We all just sat there and she cried for a several minutes."

Clarkson -- who recently earned rave reviews for her not-lip-synched performance  of "My Country 'Tis of Thee" at the recent presidential inauguration -- remembers their dispute very differently, and slammed the record producer Tuesday for "spreading false information" about her and her music.

"I refuse to be bullied and I just have to clear up his memory lapses and misinformation for myself and for my fans," she wrote on WhoSay.

"It feels like a violation. Growing up is awesome because you learn you don't have to cower to anyone -- even Clive Davis."

Clarkson acknowledged that she "did cry in his office once," but it was in response to his censure of her autobiographical song "Because of You."

"I cried because he hated it and told me verbatim that I was a 's----- writer who should be grateful for the gifts that he bestows upon me.' … This was devastating coming from a man who I, as a young girl, considered a musical hero and was so honored to work with."

"(He) belittled me and my music and completely sabotaged ('My December')," she added about Davis' response to her third album.

"It never had a chance to reach (its) full potential ... the fact that I was so completely disregarded and disrespected was so disheartening," she wrote.

Davis fired back Tuesday, insisting that he told the truth in his account of their "creative differences":

"I am truly very sorry that she has decided to take issue with what I know to be an accurate depiction of our time together," he tweeted. "Before the book was published, I had every fact checked with five independent individuals who were present on a daily basis throughout it all. The chapter as it is written was thoroughly verified by each and every one of them. I stand by the chapter as written in my book."

Still, the 80-year-old music executive continued to praise Clarkson as a "tremendous vocal talent and performer."  

"I wish, and will always wish, Kelly's talent and her career to soar to ever new heights," he concluded.

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