Hall of Fame
Clarance Avant
Clarence Avant is well-known as a keen businessman and deal-maker. Over 40 years, he has built a reputation based on his unselfish nature and earnest dedication to creating opportunities for African Americans in the recording industry.
Born in Greeensboro, North Carolina, his rise to success began in the early 1960s, when he managed the careers of a variety of important figures in the record business, including blues artist Little Willie John, jazz organist Jimmy Smith, composer Lalo Schifrin, jazz producer Creed Taylor and rock-n-roll pioneer Tom Wilson. By the end of the sixties, Avant demonstrated his ability to close landmark deals by engineering the first joint venture between an African-American artist and a major record company, MGM.
In 1971, Avant strengthened his presence in the industry by forming his own record company, Sussex Records, and signing recording artists Bill Withers, Dennis Coffey, Gallery, The Presidents, and Wadsworth Mansion. Avant expanded his enterprise into other media when he purchased KAGB-FM, one of the first African-American-owned FM radio stations in metropolitan Los Angeles. He entered the television business by executive producing the only variety show hosted by Muhammad Ali. Two years later, he secured funding and executive produced the documentary, Save the Children, for the PUSH Foundation. The film featured Sammy Davis, Jr., Roberta Flack, the Jackson 5, Isaac Hayes, Quincy Jones, the Temptations, Nancy Wilson, Smokey Robinson, Bill Withers and many others.
In the early eighties, he formed Tabu Records, a successful venture featuring notable artists, such as the S.O.S. Band, Alexander O'Neal and Cherrelle. Avant's dealmaking prowess was again heralded when he played a key role in the rise of Grammy-Award-winning producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis. He was also integral in assisting Antonio "L.A." Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds with the creation of their LaFace record label.
Acknowledged as a father figure by numerous performers and producers, Avant also has been honored publicly for his positive contributions to society. He's earned numerous accolades, including the Operation PUSH Award, and a Children's Choice Award from the Neil Bogart Memorial Fund. In 1993, Avant was named Chairman of Motown Records. Four years later, he became the first African-American to serve on the international Management Board for PolyGram.
Still active today, Avant is President of his own publishing companies, Interior Music and Avant Garde, and a member of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and the Pepsi-Cola African-American Advisory Board. He also was recently awarded an honorary doctorate from prestigious Morehouse College, ranked as one of the nation's top colleges in educating African Americans.
Avant's success has been achieved through combining a tireless work ethic, an unconventional business approach, and individual ingenuity. As noted in Black Enterprise, "Often dressed in sweat-suits and sneakers discussing deals in the rough-and-tumble language of the street, Avant has developed strategies, chutzpah, and contacts to become the most influential black in the entertainment business." Good friend Quincy Jones adds, "He's been there for everybody, and if he'd helped himself as much as he's helped everyone else along the way, he'd be a billionaire by now."
