R.I.P. - Clarence Avant (25 Feb 1931 - 13 Aug 2023)

As alluded to in the previous post, Clarence Avant, known as 'The Black Godfather' owing to his mentoring of so many black artists, actors, sports people and even politicians, died on Sunday peacefully at home aged 92.

He helped set up the short-lived Venture Records, a soul subsidiary of MGM run by William 'Mickey' Stevenson which ran between 1967-69, before founding Sussex in 1969. Sussex ran for five years and is probably best know for launching the career of Bill Withers. Their other main act was The Presidents but also hosted music from The Decisions, Rodriguez, Dennis Coffey. Sussex was forced into closure after Avant was prosecuted for tax evasion. 

Avant was born in Climax, NC, before moving to New Jersey in his teens where he later managed a club in Newark. He went on to manage artist such as Little Willie John, Sarah Vaughn, Kim Weston, Lalo Schifrin and Freddie Hubbard amongst others.

When Venture was created in late 1967 he moved to Beverly Hills to work with Stevenson until 1969 when it was folded and proceeded to set up Sussex Records. After the demise of Sussex he set up the Tabu Records which was the learning ground for ex Time members Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (who would later bring on board another former Time member Alexander O'Neal who would prove to be one of their top acts along with Cherrelle and  S.O.S. Band. The label's first release was Brainstorm with "Wake Up And Be Somebody" in late 1976 prior to their "Stormin' album in 1977 followed by their dance floor classic "Lovin' Is Really My Game".

Avant became the chairman of Motown in 1993 for around four years.

In Jun 2019 Netflix released a documentary on his life titled 'The Black Godfather' produced by his daughter Nicole Avant (who is married to Netfix co-CEO Ted Sarandos) and directed by Reginald Hudlin.

Avant's wife was shot dead in their home on 12 Dec 2021 and this video is a conspiracy theorist's wet dream!

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