Just four weeks ago, the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame inducted the 2021 class. Those people were as follows:
Performer Category:
- Tina Turner
- Carole King
- The Go-Go’s
- JAY-Z
- Foo Fighters
- Todd Rundgren
Early Influence Award:
- Kraftwerk
- Charley Patton
- Gil Scott-Heron
Musical Excellence Award:
- LL Cool J
- Billy Preston
- Randy Rhoads
Ahmet Ertegun Award:
- Clarence Avant
Even if you don’t know his name, you will likely know the artists he helped rise to the top. Clarence Avant founded Sussex Records in 1969 and Tabu Records in 1976, and eventually became chair for Motown Records in 1993. He also created the first African-American-owned FM radio station in metropolitan Los Angeles.
He is known as “The Black Godfather” or the Godfather of Black Music and even had a documentary made about him in 2019.
Throughout his career, Avant was always supported by his wife, Jackie, whom he married in 1967. News broke on Wednesday morning (Dec. 1) that Jackie was killed at their Trousdale Estates, CA home during a home invasion. It’s reported that the Beverly Hills Police Department received a call around 2:30 AM for a home invasion and that someone had been shot.
The Hollywood Reporter states, “Upon arrival, police discovered a victim with a gunshot wound.” Sadly, she passed away from her injuries. Jackie was 81.
Beverly Hills PD put out a statement revealing that the suspect(s) were not at the scene and that detectives are already investigating the homicide. They will be holding a press briefing later today.
Media Release: Beverly Hills Police are Conducting a Homicide Investigation pic.twitter.com/GjYJTxkAT1
— Beverly Hills Police (@BeverlyHillsPD) December 1, 2021
Avant was home at the time of the shooting and TMZ reports it in unclear if he was injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with Clarence, Jackie’s husband of 54 years, their daughters Alex and Nicole, and everyone who loved and knew him.