Avant (Photograph: DFree / Shutterstock.com)
VARIETY has reported that CLARENCE AVANT, nicknamed “THE BLACK GODFATHER,” died YESTERDAY (8/13) on the age of 92 in his LOS ANGELES dwelling. His sphere of affect included music, sports activities, leisure, and politics.
In response to VARIETY, his youngsters, NICOLE, ALEXANDER, and son-in-law TED SARANDOS issued an announcement about his passing, “It’s with a heavy coronary heart that the AVANT/SARANDOS household announce the passing of CLARENCE ALEXANDER AVANT.
“By his revolutionary enterprise management, CLARENCE grew to become affectionately often called “THE BLACK GODFATHER” within the worlds of music, leisure, politics, and sports activities. CLARENCE leaves behind a loving household and a sea of associates and associates which have modified the world and can proceed to alter the world for generations to come back. The enjoyment of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss.”
AVANT’s checklist of accomplishments embody, founding two file labels, brokering the sale of the legendary STAX RECORDS again within the late ’60s, served as Chairperson of MOTOWN RECORDS, grew to become first African-American board member at POLYGRAM, was an advisor to Presidents JIMMY CARTER, BILL CLINTON, GEORGE BUSH and BARACK OBAMA. He managed singer SARAH VAUGHAN and Jazz Producer CREED TAYLOR, and mentored L.A. REID and BABYFACE, SYLVIA RHONE, JON PLATT, JHERYL BUSBY, ETHIOPIA HABTEMARIAM, JIMMY IOVINE, and plenty of others.
See extra about his life and profession at VARIETY.
