News Clarence Avant, ‘The Black Godfather’ of music, dies at 92 August 14, 2023 Naledi Ushe and Melissa Ruggieri, USA TODAY Comments Off on Clarence Avant, ‘The Black Godfather’ of music, dies at 92 "The joy of his legacy eases the sorrow of our loss," Clarence Avant's family wrote in a statement announcing the music executive's death.