Clarence Avant, the supervisor, entrepreneur, and the “Black Godfather” of music, who helped launch the careers of artists like Quincy Jones and Invoice Withers, has handed away aged 92.
Clarence Avant, often known as the “Black Godfather” of music for his affect all through the business as a supervisor, entrepreneur, and adviser who helped launch the careers of Quincy Jones, Invoice Withers, and lots of extra, has handed away. He was 92.
In accordance with a household assertion launched Monday, Avant died Sunday at his Los Angeles dwelling. He was inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame in 2021, his achievements ranging each behind the scenes and public.
“Clarence leaves behind a loving household and a sea of associates and associates which have modified the world and can proceed to vary the world for generations to return. The enjoyment of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss,” mentioned the household’s assertion, launched by Avant’s son Alex, daughter Nicole and her husband, Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos.
Generally affectionately known as the “Black Godfather” of music, Avant took to coronary heart the recommendation of his early mentor, music supervisor Joe Glaser, and have become a supervisor himself within the Fifties with purchasers equivalent to Sarah Vaughan, Little Willie John, and composer Lalo Schifrin, who wrote the theme to “Mission: Not possible.”
Within the Seventies, he was an early patron of Black-owned radio stations, and within the Nineties turned the pinnacle of Motown after its founder Berry Gordy Jr. offered the corporate. Avant additionally began such labels as Sussex and Tabu, with artists together with Invoice Withers, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, the S.O.S. Band, and singer-songwriter Sixto Rodriguez, who would grow to be well-known a long time later via the Oscar-winning documentary “Trying to find Sugarman.” Rodriguez handed away final week.
“Everybody on this enterprise has been by Clarence’s desk in the event that they’re good,” Quincy Jones mentioned of Avant.
Avant helped Michael Jackson set up his first solo tour, suggested Narada Michael Walden, L.A. Reid, Babyface, and different youthful artists, and raised cash for Invoice Clinton and Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns.
Along with his Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame induction, Avant was honored all through his profession with two honorary Grammy awards, an NAACP Picture Award, and a BET Entrepreneur award.