Clarence Avant, the Godfather of black music, dies at home in Los Angeles at the age of 92
- Clarence Avant was a Grammy-winning executive, concert promoter and manager who served as president of the legendary Motown Records in the 1990s
- The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame described Avant as “cool, smart, confident and fearless – someone who makes the impossible possible”
The ‘Godfather of Black Music’ Clarence Avant has passed away at the age of 92, almost two years after his wife was killed in a home invasion.
Avant was a Grammy-winning executive, concert promoter and manager who served as president of the legendary Motown Records in the 1990s.
Throughout his career as a performing musician, he has helped artists such as Bill Withers, Little Willie John, LA Reid, Babyface, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis.
Avant’s daughter, Nicole, 55, is currently married to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos. Nicole also served as ambassador to the Bahamas, appointed in 2009 by then-President Barack Obama.
The ‘Godfather of Black Music’ Clarence Avant has died aged 92, nearly two years after his wife (left) was killed in a home invasion
Ted Sarandos and his father-in-law Clarence Avant attended the 36th Annual Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse on October 30, 2021
Jay-Z, Clarence Avant and Sean Combs, better known as P Diddy, pictured together in 2020
Music Executive Clarence Avant and his wife Jacqueline Avant attend a ceremony honoring him with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on October 7, 2016
Lionel Richie presents Clarence Avant with the Ahmet Ertegun Award on stage in October 2021
The life and legacy of the Motown contest was chronicled in 2019 by his son-in-law Sarandos’ streaming service, in a documentary titled The Black Godfather.
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame described Avant as “cool, savvy, confident and fearless – someone who makes the impossible possible.
“He has held a variety of roles throughout his illustrious career, including manager, label owner, concert organizer, event producer, political fundraiser and mentor.”
Avant’s career began in the 1950s when he was manager of Little Willie John and jazz organist Jimmy Smith.
At the end of 1969 he launched Sussex Records, a label that quickly achieved a Top Ten hit with Dennis Coffey’s Scorpio. The most notable Sussex artist was Bill Withers, who released his first three records for the label, which included the hits Ain’t No Sunshine, Lean on Me and Use Me.
“In 1971, Avant launched Avant Garde Broadcasting, one of the country’s first black radio stations.”
The legendary exec was also an accomplished producer and actor – known for Deliver Us from Evil in 1975, The Color Purple in 1985 and Jason’s Lyric in 1994.
In 2016, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
This is a breaking news story.