Clarence Alexander Before: Tribute to the Godfather of the Music Industry

Today we take the time to celebrate the life of Clarence Alexander Avant, also known as The Godfather, who passed away on August 13, 2023.

The dictionary Merriam-Webster defines the word Godfather as one who founds, supports, or inspires. Synonyms for the word Godfather include mentor, guide, shepherd, show, direct, foster, nurture, and cultivate. It's hard to imagine a single person embodying this word and descriptions across multiple worlds, but this word accurately defines our friend, confidant, and mentor, Clarence Alexander Avant.

Clarence Avant was born in the segregated town of Climax, North Carolina, in 1931, the eldest of eight children. There were few opportunities in Climax for someone like Clarence, so he dropped out of school at the age of sixteen (16) and moved to New Jersey. After a few odd jobs here and there, Clarence got the opportunities he hoped for by becoming the manager of the Teddy P's Lounge in Newark, New Jersey, and Joseph Glaser, the long-time manager of Louis Armstrong. From there, Mr. Avant began to manage Little Willie John, a blues artist, the jazz singer Sarah Vaughn, the pioneer of rock and roll Tom Wilson, and the pianist-composer Lalo Schifrin from Argentina.

Businessman

In November 1943, Clarence based Consolidated Booking and Associated Booking.

Before first met Quincy Jones, who was the first black man to serve as vice president in a record company (Mercury), while managing Smith. Where other jazz artists were getting 100,000 $, Before asked for 45,0000 $ for Smith, and the bold number impressed Jones. Before ended up signing Smith has Verve Records for a large sum. He went and got the deal ", remembers Jones later. " I respected him for that. "

It was the first of several corporations, such as Avant Garde Enterprises, which he opened in November 1962, with offices on the West Coast in September 1964. Clarence moved to Beverly Hills, California, to join Venture Records, the first joint venture between an African-American record company and a major (MGM), in 1967.

After the closure of Venture Records by MGM, Clarence Avant based Sussex Records in 1969, where Bill Withers marks its success.

And, in 1971, he founded Avant Garde Broadcasting, which he uses to buy KAGB-FM, the first African-American FM station in Los Angeles.

In January 1976, Clarence spear Tabu Records, which signs artists like The SOS Band, Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle.

In 1993, Clarence is appointed president of Motown Records and heads the editorial branch of Avant-Garde Music until its sale to Universal Music Group in 2018.

Advise

The influence of Clarence Avant has guided and inspired musical artists and executives over the years. The lives he has touched read like a Who's Who of entertainment: Quincy Jones, David Geffen, Jay-Z, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Pharrell Williams, Whitney Houston, Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, Queen Latifah, Sean Combs, Snoop Dogg, Jamie Foxx, among others.

The power of Clarence Avant was not limited to the music industry. He understood the importance of politics and had access to people in the highest offices, whether Democrat or Republican. He served as an advisor to the president George HW Bush, and he had close ties to and raised funds for former presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

Community Leader

Living in New York, Clarence was a member of the board of directors of the National Association of Radio Announcers and of the Apollo Theatre Foundation. In Los Angeles, he served on the board of directors of the United Way, of Los Angeles World Affairs Council, of the Brotherhood Crusade and of the NAACP. We also had the privilege of having him as a member of the Board of Directors of the Los Angeles Urban League.

Jamie Foxx, Jimmy Jam Harris, Terry Lewis, Quincy Joness and Bill Withers unveiled the star of Clarence Avant on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in October 2016. He received the President's Merit Award as a Grammy icon at the pre-Grammy gala in Clive Davis in 2018. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inducted Clarence Avant in the 2021 class of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Clarence was also a family man. He and his wife, Jacqueline " Jackie", were together for 54 years until his untimely death during a home burglary in 2021. They are survived by their two (2) adult children, Nicole and Alexander.

The world has lost another incredible man. Our family has also lost a friend, confidant, and mentor. His contributions changed lives for generations. We are grateful that the legacy of the " Godfather " will survive through them for generations.

Our condolences and prayers go out to all his loved ones.

Photo: Billboard