Clarence Avant — the executive commonly referred to as the "Godfather of Black music" — has died at 92. In a statement shared with Billboard, Avant's family wrote that "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."
Avant was born in Climax, NC, in 1931. After moving to New Jersey in his teens, he started managing a lounge in Newark before moving into talent management, shaping the careers of artists like Little Willie John, Freddie Hubbard, Sarah Vaughn, Creed Taylor and more.
The young Avant developed a reputation as a dealmaker with a particular eye — and ear — for undiscovered talent. In 1970, he signed Bill Withers to his first record deal, going on to cut deals with artists like Dennis Coffey, the SOS Band, Gallery and more. By 1971, Avant had purchased the license for California's KTYM-FM station and renamed it KAGB-FM, making it the first Black-owned FM radio station in the Los Angeles area.
In the decades since, Avant helped further shape the sound of Black music, aiding in the rise of producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, as well as L.A. Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. In 1993, he was named chairman of Motown Records.
In 2019, a documentary on Avant's legacy called The Black Godfather was released. Two years later, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Lionel Richie and received the Ahmet Ertegun Award. Barack Obama, Kamala Harris and Bill Withers all spoke at the ceremony.
Avant's wife, Jacqueline, was shot and killed during a home burglary in 2021. He is survived by his two children — Nicole Avant, a former US ambassador to the Bahamas, and agent and producer Alex Avant.
Avant was born in Climax, NC, in 1931. After moving to New Jersey in his teens, he started managing a lounge in Newark before moving into talent management, shaping the careers of artists like Little Willie John, Freddie Hubbard, Sarah Vaughn, Creed Taylor and more.
The young Avant developed a reputation as a dealmaker with a particular eye — and ear — for undiscovered talent. In 1970, he signed Bill Withers to his first record deal, going on to cut deals with artists like Dennis Coffey, the SOS Band, Gallery and more. By 1971, Avant had purchased the license for California's KTYM-FM station and renamed it KAGB-FM, making it the first Black-owned FM radio station in the Los Angeles area.
In the decades since, Avant helped further shape the sound of Black music, aiding in the rise of producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, as well as L.A. Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. In 1993, he was named chairman of Motown Records.
In 2019, a documentary on Avant's legacy called The Black Godfather was released. Two years later, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Lionel Richie and received the Ahmet Ertegun Award. Barack Obama, Kamala Harris and Bill Withers all spoke at the ceremony.
Avant's wife, Jacqueline, was shot and killed during a home burglary in 2021. He is survived by his two children — Nicole Avant, a former US ambassador to the Bahamas, and agent and producer Alex Avant.
