‘The Black Godfather’ of music was 92
Clarence Avant, the manager and businessman generally known as “The Black Godfather” of music and leisure, died Sunday at 92.
Avant died at his Los Angeles residence, his son Alex Avant, daughter Nicole Avant and son-in-law Ted Sarandos shared in an announcement Monday.
“It’s with a heavy coronary heart that the Avant/Sarandos household announce the passing of Clarence Alexander Avant,” the household stated. “By means of his revolutionary enterprise management, Clarence grew to become affectionately generally known as ‘The Black Godfather’ within the worlds of music, leisure, politics, and sports activities.”
Avant’s household added: “Clarence leaves behind a loving household and a sea of mates and associates which have modified the world and can proceed to vary the world for generations to come back. The enjoyment of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss.”
Avant, a North Carolina native, grew to become a pillar in leisure after shifting to Los Angeles within the late Sixties. There, he fashioned Sussex Information, which signed Bill Withers and a number of other profitable acts.
The music govt additionally bought KAGB-FM, which made it the primary Black-owned FM radio station in Los Angeles.
Avant is credited with advancing the careers of L.A. Reid, Babyface, Michael Jackson, Quincy Jones and extra. His affect within the music business propelled artists in Motown and jazz and influenced the early days of hip-hop.
In 2019, Avant acquired the Trade Icon Award on the Grammys. He was later inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame by Lionel Richie in 2021.
That very same 12 months, Avant was struck by tragedy as his spouse Jacqueline Grey, whom he married in 1967, was fatally shot in December 2021 throughout an tried housebreaking of the couple’s residence.
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