The news of the death of businessman and music executive, the "Godfather of Black Music" himself, Clarence Avant, was announced on Monday.
At 92 years old, he passed away peacefully at his home in Los Angeles surrounded by his beloved family; son Alex Avant, daughter Nicole Avant and son-in-law Ted Sarandos.
According to the family statement, "It is with a heavy heart that the Avant/Sarandos family announce the passing of Clarence Alexander Avant."
"Through his revolutionary business leadership, Clarence became affectionately known as 'The Black Godfather' in music, entertainment, politics, and sports."
Clarence Avant's Wife Murdered
In April 2022, the perpetrator of an unthinkable crime was brought to justice, sentenced to 190 years in prison.
In a court hearing in Los Angeles Superior Court last year, Aariel Maynor, 30, was convicted of murder and other offenses, according to Billboard.
His guilty plea revealed that on the 1st of December, he had used an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle to take the life of Avant inside her Beverly Hills residence.
When Jacqueline Avant encountered Maynor amid his burglary attempt to take $50,000, prosecutors stated that he reacted by shooting her in the back.
He then escaped and moved onto a residence in the Hollywood Hills; however, on his way out, Maynor accidentally wounded himself with a bullet to his foot.
The day before the killing, it was reported that Maynor had searched for information concerning Clarence Avant and his address.
When examined more closely, authorities found that he exhibited no remorse for the crime - even going so far as to boast about all the media attention surrounding the case while speaking on a jail phone call with a friend.
These details were outlined in court papers filed by Deputy District Attorney Victor Avila.
District Attorney George Gascón determined that, rather than seeking a special circumstance allegation that the killing was committed during a burglary, the office would pursue an enhanced penalty via the Three Strikes law; this involves sentences of life without parole for third severe or violent felonies.
Clarence Avant Life
Following his relocation to Los Angeles from North Carolina in the late 1960s, Avant quickly established himself as a force in entertainment.
In 1969 he founded Sussex Records, which successfully signed Sixto Rodriguez and soul singer Bill Withers. Their releases with the label included hit songs such as "Ain't No Sunshine," "Use Me," and "Lean on Me."
Before his career as an artist manager, Avant was a nightclub manager in New Jersey. He worked with notable R&B and jazz musicians, including Little Willie John and Sarah Vaughan, and rock-producing pioneer Tom Wilson, who would later become famous for his work with Bob Dylan and the Velvet Underground.
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In 1967, Avant was the first to take on the challenge of running a record label with Venture Records. Initially created to release and promote records from soul music artists signed by MGM Records, this venture only lasted two years.
After that, he assisted in selling Stax Records in 1968, though he later founded Sussex Records, which sadly folded due to unpaid federal taxes amounting to $48000 in 1975. The IRS auctioned off all their assets as a consequence.
In a groundbreaking move, a music executive recently acquired KAGB-FM, thus becoming Los Angeles' first Black-owned FM radio station.
The accomplishments of Avant in the music industry have been long-remembered, having helped cultivate the careers of numerous stars.
His presence was felt throughout Motown and jazz genres, and it would be tough to overstate his effect on early hip-hop.
Avant was a multifaceted individual whose work extended beyond music. For instance, he produced the movie "Save the Children" in 1973 and was also involved in politics - raising over a million dollars for Bill Clinton's presidential campaign.
Clarence Avant Net Worth 2023
According to Celebrity Net Worth, Clarence Avant is worth $50 million at his death.
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