By AFRO Employees
Music mogul Clarence Avant also called “The Black Godfather” handed at 92 years outdated. The star maker who labored with the likes of Invoice Withers, Michael Jackson and Muhammad Ali impressed 1000’s throughout the span of his lifetime.
“Clarence leaves behind a loving household and a sea of mates and associates which have modified the world and can proceed to alter the world for generations to come back,” stated his youngsters, Nicole and Alex Avant, and son-in-law, Ted Sarandos, in a public assertion.
“The enjoyment of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss. Clarence handed away gently at dwelling in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 13, 2023.”
Avant’s skilled profession is steeped in success. He had humble beginnings in North Carolina the place began out managing Little Willie John, Jimmy Smith and Freddie Hubbard.
Within the Nineteen Sixties, Avant brokered the sale of Stax Report and based one of many first Black-owned radio stations, KAGB-FM, in Los Angeles the next decade.
Avant most notably served as chairman of Motown Information in 1993 after its sale to Polygram and managed the Inside Music Group publishing firm till 2018.
“Clarence was humane and honest and impressed love and respect from all who knew him. I personally liked him and can miss him eternally.”
shared music legend Clive Davis
“Clarence’s extraordinary contribution to music and the boundaries he broke all through his profession are unequalled. He was the mentor to all Black executives within the music trade for many years, offering invaluable steering and help whereas at all times standing up for equal rights,” shared music legend Clive Davis, on Instagram. “Clarence was humane and honest and impressed love and respect from all who knew him. I personally liked him and can miss him eternally.”
Because of his plain affect on the trade, Avant was inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame in 2021. His different accolades embody the NAACP Thurgood Marshall Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007 and the Trustee Award from the Recording Academy in 2008.
“RIP to The Black Godfather Clarence Avant, thanks for all of the knowledge you’ve shared and the trail you paved for artists like myself,” Clifford “TI” Harris” wrote on X, previously referred to as Twitter.
Whereas the chief broke many boundaries within the leisure trade he additionally left his mark politically by aiding a number of sitting U.S. presidents as an adviser and fundraiser.
“He was skillful, savvy, heat, and smart. It was unimaginable to spend time with Clarence Avant and never come away feeling extra constructive and eager to observe his instance. Hillary and I simply liked him,” Invoice Clinton shared on the social media platform, X. “We give thanks for his lengthy, good life and our a long time of friendship, and we’re grateful that his legacy will endure — within the music he helped deliver into the world, and in all those that had been touched by his compassion, mentorship, and generosity.”
