Clarence Avant, ‘The Black Godfather’ of music, dies at 92.

NIMH Ep #621
Clarence Avant, ‘The Black Godfather’ of music, dies at 92.

NIMH Ep #621
Clarence Avant, ‘The Black Godfather’ of music, dies at 92.

According to USA Today
Clarence Avant, the executive and businessman known as “The Black Godfather” of music and entertainment, died Sunday at 92.

Avant died at his Los Angeles home, his son Alex Avant, daughter Nicole Avant and son-in-law Ted Sarandos shared in a statement Monday.

“It is with a heavy heart that the Avant/Sarandos family announce the passing of Clarence Alexander Avant,” the family said. “Through his revolutionary business leadership, Clarence became affectionately known as ‘The Black Godfather’ in the worlds of music, entertainment, politics, and sports.”

Avant’s family added: “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’s first foray into steering a record label came in 1967 with Venture Records, originally founded as an outlet for the soul recording artists on MGM Records. Venture Records lasted only two years, but Avant was ready to jump to his next assignment: helping to broker the sale of legendary Stax Records, which he did in 1968, before founding Sussex Records. Sussex, however, folded in 1975 after the IRS auctioned off the company’s assets due to $48,000 in federal tax liens.

In 2019, Avant received the Industry Icon Award as the honoree at fellow music mogul Clive Davis’ annual Pre-Grammy Gala.

“Clarence Avant was truly one of a kind. His passing is a great loss of someone who is irreplaceable,” Davis told USA TODAY in a statement Monday. “Clarence’s extraordinary contribution to music and the barriers he broke throughout his career are unrivaled. He was the mentor to all Black executives in the music industry for decades, providing invaluable guidance and support while always standing up for equal rights. Clarence was humane and fair and inspired love and respect from all who knew him. I personally loved him and will miss him forever.”

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