Clarence Avant, known as "The Godfather of Black Music" for his skill as a manager, mentor, and deal-maker, has passed away at the age of 92.
He developed one of the first Black-owned radio stations in the United States and was the previous head of Motown. He collaborated with everyone from Michael Jackson to Bill Withers.
Avant passed away on Sunday at home in Los Angeles, according to a statement from his family.
It happens 20 months after an intruder shot and killed his wife Jacqueline in their Beverly Hills home.
"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 family stated.
The happiness of his legacy lessens the pain of our loss.
Avant had a large and diverse list of achievements. He was a former nightclub manager, and soul artist Little Willie John approached him about managing him because of his reputation as a tough negotiator.
Joe Glaser, a veteran of the entertainment business and manager of artists like Louis Armstrong and Barbra Streisand, became aware of him as a result.
Lalo Schifrin, the composer for Mission: Impossible, was one of the clients Glaser gave to Avant and taught him how to close transactions.
Joe Glaser "taught me [to] aim high," he said in a 2016 interview with Variety Magazine. You cannot climb the Empire State Building on foot because you will become exhausted and your knees may give out. But you can also use the elevator and descend by foot. Always aim up here, and if necessary, stroll down later.
Even though jazz producer Creed Taylor was already signed to another label, he quickly negotiated a six-figure contract for him at A&M Records.
Later, Avant managed Freddie Hubbard, Kim Weston, and Sarah Vaughan, who collaborated with Marvin Gaye on the song It Takes Two.
Additionally, he established the record labels Sussex and Tabu, the first of which served as the springboard for Bill Withers' career.
Withers, a former aircraft mechanic, had been passed over by nearly every other record label in America; however, Avant recognized something in his relaxed, reflective sound and guided songs like Ain't No Sunshine and Lean On Me to international acclaim.
Additionally, the executive found and signed Sugarman vocalist Sixto Rodriguez, whose 1970s chart-topping albums later became cult favorites. Rodriguez was rediscovered in 2012 thanks to the Oscar-winning documentary Searching For Sugarman.
In the 1980s, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis' careers as a songwriting duo were launched by Tabu Records, which also had success with the S.O.S. Band, Cherrelle, and Alexander O'Neal.
They would go on to achieve 16 US number one singles, including the songs Together Again and That's The Way Love Goes by Janet Jackson, George Michael's Monkey, and Usher's "U Remind Me."
During the 1989 inception of LaFace Records, a joint venture between LA Reid and Babyface and Arista Records that started the careers of artists like Toni Braxton, TLC, Outkast, and Pink, Avant also handled the songwriters.
Additionally, he promoted Michael Jackson's Bad tour in 1987, which brought in $125 million/£99 million ($336 million/£266 million in 2023 dollars) globally.
In 1993, Avant was appointed Motown's chairman. Under his leadership, Boyz II Men, Johnny Gill, and Shanice all enjoyed periods of success.
He mediated a truce between feuding rights holders for an E.T. tie-in album, ruined a TV show that was intended to be a direct competitor to Soul Train, and facilitated safe passage for P Diddy following the death of the Notorious B.I.G.
In addition to his work in music, he counseled several US presidents, including Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, and assisted American football player Jim Brown in pursuing an acting career.
Clinton once said, "The guy's a rock in every way." "His advice is more valuable than anyone I've ever worked with, per word."
Even still, a lot of people had trouble describing Avant's actions in detail.
Bill Withers remarked, "What he's done is a pretty interesting narrative. "He assembles people, and they act as they do. How can one build a life from acquaintances?
Despite his many achievements, including being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, he wanted to remain in the background, remaining modest and diligent.
"Our deal-making Renaissance man is Clarence. pope of us. our defiant. Our consigliere," Sylvia Rhone, CEO of Epic Records, said to Billboard in 2006. He's been a fantastic mentor, opening up new doors for others to follow.
Quincy Jones, a close friend for his whole life, adding, "If they're smart, everyone in this business has been by Clarence's desk." He accomplishes things without bragging or seeking praise.
His daughter Nicole Avant, a former US ambassador to the Bahamas and the wife of Ted Sarandos, the head of content at Netflix, and his son Alexander survive him.
Jacqueline, his wife, was a well-known philanthropist who had devoted her life to aiding low-income communities. In December 2021, a man who had burgled the family home killed her.
Aariel Maynor, the invader, accepted responsibility for first-degree murder and was given a 190-year prison term.
After the news of Clarence's passing was made official on Monday, tributes poured in.
The former US president and secretary of state, Bill and Hillary Clinton, expressed their sadness at their friend's demise in a joint statement.
It was impossible to spend time with him and not leave wanting to be more optimistic and follow in his footsteps.
Clarence Avant is not just the "Godfather Of Black Music," but also our cultural Godfather, according to Jay-Z's firm, Roc Nation.
He tore down ceilings and broke through doors throughout his life, altering lives and opening doors for future generations.
"A true pioneer, mentor, and champion, Clarence Avant is and always will be a giant among us."
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