Clarence Avant, whose many years of trailblazing work as an artist supervisor, mentor, govt and report label proprietor earned him the title of “Godfather of Black Music,” died Sunday at his dwelling in Los Angeles. He was 92. “Clarence leaves behind a loving household and a sea of buddies and associates which have modified the world and can proceed to alter the world for generations to return,” his household stated in a press release. “The enjoyment of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss.”
As a New York-based supervisor early on in his profession, the Greensboro, North Carolina native labored with Sarah Vaughan, Freddie Hubbard, Little Willie John, Jimmy Smith and producer Creed Taylor, amongst others. He found and signed singer Invoice Withers, whose breakthrough single, “Ain’t No Sunshine,” received the Grammy Award for finest R&B music. Within the ’70s, Avant based KAGB-FM (Avant Garde Broadcasting), one of many first Black-owned radio stations within the U.S.
He additionally launched two report corporations, Sussex and Tabu, cultivating rosters that included Withers, Dennis Coffey, the S.O.S. Band, Wadsworth Mansion, The Gallery and The Presidents, amongst others.
Avant’s reference to the S.O.S. Band sparked a introduction to rising songwriting/manufacturing duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis. Avant performed an instrumental function within the pair’s success (in addition to that of one other hit-making duo, Reid and Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds). He was additionally the promoter of Michael Jackson’s “Dangerous” tour, Jackson’s first ever solo world tour.
He was named Motown chairman in 1993 and 4 years later grew to become the primary African-American to serve on the Worldwide Administration Board for PolyGram.
Clarence Avant, Ethiopia Habtemariam and Quincy Jones on the Salute to Black Music Awards Gala.
Ian Foxx
His legendary friendship with Quincy Jones spanned many years, and he notably mentored such music business luminaries as Antonio “L.A.” Reid and Sony Music Publishing chairman/CEO Jon Platt, amongst others.
“There’ll by no means be sufficient phrases to precise how a lot Clarence Avant meant to me,” stated Jones in a press release. “He was my dearest good friend, my brother, my confidant, my mentor, and my counsel for greater than 60 years. Clarence at all times advised me the reality in each facet of my life, even when he knew I didn’t need to hear it…and on this enterprise everyone knows what a rarity that’s. There’ll by no means be one other like Clarence Avant, and I’ll miss his presence on daily basis.”
“Clarence’s legacy is etched within the indelible marks he left on the music business and in his tireless efforts for the rights of us all,” added Reid in a press release. “But, what really units him aside was his unwavering compassion and his skill to attach with all folks on a private degree. He was the embodiment of sincerity, a rarity in a world usually marked by pretense. His absence will depart a void that can’t be simply crammed.”
Added Platt, “Clarence was an ally and mentor to me and plenty of others who adopted the path he blazed. As one of many main architects of the Black leisure enterprise, he expanded alternatives for executives of colour and supported us alongside our journey. Clarence Avant positively impacted my life the second he walked into it, filling a void that I didn’t know existed. Clarence is the closest particular person to a father that I ever had.”
Avant ran his personal corporations, Inside Music Group and Avant Garde Music, till they have been bought in 2018 to Common Music Group.
Avant was inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 2021 and in 2019, was honored by the Recording Academy with the Grammy Salute to Business Icons award. Over the many years he additionally acquired a Thurgood Marshall Lifetime Achievement Award, an NAACP Picture Awards Corridor Of Fame Award, a BET Honors Entrepreneur Award, and induction into the Hollywood Stroll of Fame. In 2008, the Recording Academy honored Avant with its Trustees Award. In June of this yr, he was feted by the Jazz Basis of America.
Quite a few different music business heavy-hitters paid tribute to Avant.
“With the passing of Clarence Avant the world has misplaced an icon, his household has misplaced their patriarch, and I misplaced an expensive good friend,” stated Berry Gordy in a press release. “Clarence earned his status because the Black Godfather for good purpose. Individuals, particularly musicians and artists, went to him once they have been in hassle and a method or one other, he would repair the issue. …Our Black Godfather could also be gone – however he won’t ever be forgotten.”
Irving Azoff additionally weighed in on the lack of Avant on Monday. “We have now misplaced the godfather,” he stated in a press release. “The enterprise would look nothing like this if it weren’t for Clarence. He had the largest coronary heart of any of us regardless of him making an attempt to cover it! What an important man.”
Concerned within the social, political and sporting arenas, his relationships vary from the presidential (Invoice Clinton, Barack Obama) to the entrepreneurial (Oprah Winfrey) to the boxing ring (Muhammad Ali, for whom he secured a range particular on ABC).
“Hillary and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our good friend Clarence Avant, whose legendary profession introduced artists and their music to hundreds of thousands of individuals,” stated Clinton in a social media put up. “He additionally used his success to open doorways of alternative to new generations of entrepreneurs and promoters. He was skillful, savvy, heat, and smart. It was inconceivable to spend time with him and never come away feeling extra constructive and eager to observe his instance. We simply liked him.”
Avant was the topic of the Netflix documentary The Black Godfather (2019). The movie chronicles Avant’s colourful, barrier-breaking profession and enduring legacy by way of interviews with an business who’s who. Amongst these paying tribute are Snoop Dogg, Sean “Diddy” Combs, hit songwriter Diane Warren, Lionel Richie, David Geffen, music/movie producer Suzanne de Passe, Common Music Group chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge, actress Cicely Tyson and Jamie Foxx.
Clarence Avant and spouse Jackie Avant attend BET’s Pre-Grammy Brunch at The 4 Seasons Resort on Feb. 12, 2017 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Earl Gibson III
Avant married Jacqueline Grey in 1967 and the pair moved from New York to Beverly Hills. Their daughter, Nicole Avant, is a movie producer (together with The Black Godfather) and former U.S. Ambassador and is married to Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos; Clarence and Jacqueline’s son, Alex Avant, is a expertise consultant for a significant Los Angeles-based company. Celebrating his dad’s ninetieth birthday in 2021, Alex Avant paid tribute on social media.
“Your generosity is uncommon and must be studied. Your skill to personally discover constructive options for hundreds of individuals together with myself when issues look darkish is magical,” he wrote. “I’ve been uncovered to a number of the most fascinating experiences life can supply as a child. Coming from Greensboro North Carolina (Climax) who would have identified that you’d quietly have your arms in a number of the most profound moments in leisure, politics and sports activities historical past.”
In December of 2021, the Avant household was hit with tragedy when Jacqueline Avant was shot and killed throughout a tried housebreaking of the {couples}’ Beverly Hills dwelling. The philanthropist had been engaged on constructing a middle to assist youngsters in South Los Angeles, the Jacqueline Avant Kids & Household Heart, which opened earlier this yr.
