Music executive Clarence Avant died at 92 in his Los Angeles home, according to a statement from his family. Avant, known as “the Black Godfather,” significantly contributed to the music, entertainment, politics, and sports industries.
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Longtime entertainment mogul and music executive Clarence Avant sadly passed away at 92 on Sunday, August 13. Avant’s family shared an exclusive statement to The Los Angeles Times on his passing.
“It is with a heavy heart that the Avant/Sarandos family announce the passing of Clarence Alexander Avant,” the statement from his children, Nicole and Alexander and son-in-law Ted Sarandos. “Through his revolutionary business leadership, Clarence became affectionately known as ‘the Black Godfather’ in the worlds of music, entertainment, politics, and sports. Clarence leaves behind a loving family and a sea of friends and associates that have changed the world and will continue to change the world for generations to come. The joy of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss. Clarence passed away gently at home in Los Angeles on Sunday, August 13, 2023,” the statement read.
Born on February 25, 1931, in Greensboro, N.C., Avant managed the careers of various singers in the 1960s, including Lalo Schifrin, Jimmy Smith, and Little Willie John. He founded two record labels, discovering soul singer Bill Withers and the producing duo Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis.
Avant was also instrumental in the sale of Stax Records and later became the chairman of the board at Motown Records. Additionally, Avant broke barriers as the first African-American board member at PolyGram and worked as a consultant for MGM and ABC.
He was deeply involved in politics, serving as an advisor to former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.
Avant was a mentor to many in the industry, including L.A. Reid, Jimmy Lovine, and Babyface, and played a significant role in persuading NFL legend Jim Brown to pursue acting. His influence earned him the nickname The Black Godfather, which was also the title of the 2019 Netflix documentary about his life. Notable celebrities that appeared in the documentary included Jamie Foxx, Snoop Dogg, Quincy Jones, Janet Jackson, Ludacris, and others.
Avant received several accolades for his contributions, including induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2021 and the Industry Icon Award at the 2019 Grammys. He leaves behind two children, Nicole and Alex, and was previously married to Jacqueline Gray until her tragic death in 2021 due to a home invasion.
In other recent news from the music industry, DJ Casper, the creator of the popular song “Cha-Cha Slide,” passed away at the age of 58. His passing was due to kidney and liver cancer.
