Current:Home > Contact-usClarence Avant, a major power broker in music, sports and politics, has died at 92-InfoLens
Clarence Avant, a major power broker in music, sports and politics, has died at 92
View Date:2024-12-23 15:47:35
One of the great connectors in the music and entertainment industries has died. The executive and businessman Clarence Avant boosted the careers of generations of musicians, entertainers, sports stars and politicians.
A family statement sent to NPR said that he had died "gently at home in Los Angeles" on Sunday at age 92. A cause of death was not shared.
Avant was a giant power broker in several fields, helping to nurture the careers of major Black artists and shaping the field for Black-owned companies. Among his many accomplishments: He signed singer-songwriter Bill Withers. He was the promoter for Michael Jackson's first solo tour. He was the chairman of Motown Records. He nurtured producers, including Jimmy Jam, Terry Lewis, and Diddy — and also worked with sports heroes including Jackie Robinson, Hank Aaron, Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali.
He also became a major behind-the-scenes force in politics. He advised President George H.W. Bush — but was also a fundraiser for Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.
Avant was born Feb. 25, 1931, in Greensboro, N.C. As a young man, he started out by managing a range of musicians, including blues singer Little Willie John, film music composer Lalo Schifrin, jazz vocalist Sarah Vaughan, and jazz organist Jimmy Smith.
Netflix — where Avant's son-in-law, Ted Sarandos, is co-CEO — created a documentary about Avant in 2019. The film's title carried Avant's longtime nickname: The Black Godfather. In the documentary, former President Obama observed: "Clarence was the bridge from the time where there was no opportunity [for Black talent] to a time where where doors began to open."
Avant was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2021.
Avant came back into the news after a tragedy in December 2021: His wife, Jacqueline, whom he married in 1967, was shot to death during a violent burglary at their home in Beverly Hills. In April 2022, the murderer was sentenced to 190 years in prison.
Avant's survivors include his daughter Nicole, a former U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas and film producer; Nicole's husband, Ted Sarandos; and son Alex Avant, who is a talent representative.
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Chris Pratt and Katherine Schwarzenegger welcome their first son together
- Wendy Williams' Son Kevin Hunter Jr. Shares Her Dementia Diagnosis Is Alcohol-Induced
- Ricki Lake says she's getting 'healthier' after 30-lb weight loss: 'I feel amazing'
- New Research from Antarctica Affirms The Threat of the ‘Doomsday Glacier,’ But Funding to Keep Studying it Is Running Out
- Will Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul end in KO? Boxers handle question differently
- What MLB spring training games are today? Full schedule Monday and how to watch
- Walz signs his first bill of the 2-week-old legislative session, fixes error to save taxpayers $350M
- Beyoncé and the Houston Rodeo: What to know about the event and the singer's ties to it
- Sam LaPorta injury update: Lions TE injures shoulder, 'might miss' Week 11
- Police ID suspects in killing of man on Bronx subway car as transit officials discuss rising crime
Ranking
- Craig Melvin replacing Hoda Kotb as 'Today' show co-anchor with Savannah Guthrie
- NASCAR Atlanta race ends in wild photo finish; Daniel Suarez tops Ryan Blaney, Kyle Busch
- MLB's 'billion dollar answer': Building a horse geared to win in the modern game
- This teenager was struggling to find size 23 shoes to wear. Shaq came to his rescue.
- American Idol’s Triston Harper, 16, Expecting a Baby With Wife Paris Reed
- Francia Raísa Gets Candid on Her Weight Fluctuation Amid PCOS Battle
- Ohio commission awards bids to frack oil and gas under state parks, wildlife areas
- 2024 second base rankings: Iron man Marcus Semien leads AL, depth rules NL
Recommendation
-
The Fate of Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager's Today Fourth Hour Revealed
-
Students walk out of Oklahoma high school where nonbinary student was beaten and later died
-
Eagles’ Don Henley quizzed at lyrics trial about time a naked 16-year-old girl overdosed at his home
-
Handcuffed car theft suspect being sought after fleeing from officers, police say
-
Horoscopes Today, November 11, 2024
-
Navalny team says Russia threatened his mother with ultimatum to avoid burial at Arctic prison
-
What The Bachelor's Joey Graziadei Wants Fans to Know Ahead of Emotional Season Finale
-
NFL scouting combine 2024: How to watch workouts for NFL draft prospects