Clarence Avant
{{Short description|American music executive and film producer (1931–2023)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2013}}
{{Use American English|date=August 2023}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Clarence Avant
| image =Clarence-Avant-The-Black-Godfather_resize.jpg
| caption =
| image_size =
| birth_name = Clarence Alexander Avant
| birth_date = {{Birth date|mf=yes|1931|2|25}}
| birth_place = Climax, North Carolina, U.S.
| death_date = {{Death date and age|mf=yes|2023|8|13|1931|2|25}}
| death_place = Los Angeles, California, U.S.
| spouse = {{marriage|Jacqueline Alberta Gray|1967|2021|reason=died}}
| genre = {{hlist|R&B|soul|pop}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Music executive|businessman|film producer}}
| label = Venture Records Inc.
Sussex Records
Tabu Records
Motown Records
| past_member_of = Gallery
The SOS Band
Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis
Sixto Rodriguez
}}
Clarence Alexander Avant (February 25, 1931 – August 13, 2023) was a prominent American music executive and film producer. Originating from Climax, North Carolina, Avant began his professional journey in the 1950s, managing Teddy P's Lounge in Newark, New Jersey. Under the guidance of Joe Glaser, a notable music manager of the era, Avant managed a diverse portfolio of artists, ranging from R&B talents like Little Willie John to jazz figures such as Jimmy Smith. In the 1960s, he founded Avant Garde Enterprises, marking a significant step in his contributions to the music sector.
Avant was instrumental in the formation and oversight of several record labels, including Venture Records Inc. and Sussex Records. Additionally, he expanded his professional reach into broadcasting by acquiring KTYM-FM, distinguished as the first African-American owned FM radio station in metropolitan Los Angeles. Avant's business acumen was further demonstrated when he played a role in the sale of Stax Records to Gulf+Western.
Widely recognized as "The Black Godfather",{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2007/06/12/136983/20-people-who-changed-black-music.html|title=Pioneering Exec Clarence Avant, the Master Mentor|website=BlackAmericaWeb.com|date=December 6, 2007|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120903134438/http://www.miamiherald.com/2007/06/12/136983/20-people-who-changed-black-music.html|archive-date=September 3, 2012|access-date=December 5, 2010|quote="When you get someone like Quincy Jones calling you the godfather of the industry, that's pretty big," [Andy] Kellman said.|via=Miami Herald}}{{cite book|title=How the left lost teen spirit-- (and how they're getting it back)|last=Goldberg|first=Danny|page=[https://archive.org/details/howleftlostteens0000gold/page/229 229]|year=2005|publisher=Akashic Books|isbn=978-0-9719206-8-2|url=https://archive.org/details/howleftlostteens0000gold/page/229}}{{cite news|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1321244841.html?dids=1321244841:1321244841&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+17%2C+2007&author=TINA+DAUNT&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=CAUSE+CLBRE+TINA+DAUNT%3B+Black+celebs+are+major+players&pqatl=google|title=Black celebs are major players|publisher=pqasb.pqarchiver.com L A Times August 2007|access-date=December 5, 2010|first=Tina|last=Daunt|date=August 17, 2007|archive-date=November 4, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104145527/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/1321244841.html?dids=1321244841:1321244841&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Aug+17,+2007&author=TINA+DAUNT&pub=Los+Angeles+Times&desc=CAUSE+CLBRE+TINA+DAUNT;+Black+celebs+are+major+players&pqatl=google|url-status=dead}}{{cite web |last1=L. Carter |first1=Kelley |title=Clarence Avant was the guy who made sure Black stars got paid |url=https://andscape.com/features/clarence-avant-was-the-guy-who-made-sure-black-stars-got-paid/ |website=Andscape |publisher=ESPN |access-date=18 August 2023 |date=14 August 2023}} Avant's career was characterized by his advocacy for equitable treatment and compensation for African American artists in the entertainment industry. His efforts were acknowledged with his 2021 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Biography
= Early career =
Clarence Alexander Avant was born in Climax, North Carolina, on February 25, 1931; he was the oldest of eight children. He attended a one-room school in Greensboro, North Carolina until the eighth grade.{{cite news |last1=Trakin |first1=Roy |title=Clarence Avant, 'The Godfather of Black Music,' Dies at 92 |url=https://lamag.com/obituary/clarence-avant-black-godfather-dies-dead |access-date=August 14, 2023 |work=Los Angeles magazine |language=en}} He spent his freshman and second years of high school at Dudley High School in Greensboro before moving to New Jersey in 1947 as a teenager."Music Industry Hero Gets Back To His Roots", Greensboro News and Record, May 21, 2006. In New Jersey, Avant worked as a stock clerk at Macy's and for a law directory. He began in the music business in the 1950s as a manager of Teddy P's Lounge in Newark, New Jersey, owned by promoter Teddy Powell.{{cite web|url=http://www.oldnewark.com/memories/newark/rothschildnight.htm|title=Recalling Newark Night Life|website=Oldnewark.com|access-date=2016-10-03|archive-date=July 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160729001258/http://www.oldnewark.com/memories/newark/rothschildnight.htm|url-status=dead}}
Joe Glaser, music manager of Louis Armstrong from 1935 until his death in 1969, and the original proprietor of Sunset Gardens on the South Side of Chicago, mentored Avant. Glaser founded Consolidated Booking Corporation and Associated Booking Corporation on November 26, 1943.Obituary, The New York Times, May 17, 1969, p. 33; "Joseph G. Glaser Is Dead at 72; Booking Agent For Many Stars", The New York Times, June 8, 1969, p. 92"Satchmo Remembers the Big Magaffa", Los Angeles Times, June 22, 1969, p. G44.
Avant later managed R&B singer Little Willie John, jazz singers Sarah Vaughan, Kim Weston, Luiz Bonfa, Wynton Kelly, Freddie Hubbard, Curtis Fuller, Pat Thomas, rock and roll pioneer Tom Wilson, whom Avant partnered with in the Wilson Organization, jazz producer Creed Taylor, jazz musician Jimmy Smith and Argentine pianist-composer, Lalo Schifrin."Billboard," April 6, 1963, p. 47.Geracimos, A. (1968, September 29). A Record Producer Is A Psychoanalyst With Rhythm: A Psychoanalyst With Rhythm. New York Times, p. SM32. Avant incorporated Avant Garde Enterprises, Inc. on November 7, 1962, in New York, the same month that Smith became a client of Associated Booking, and originally had offices at 850 Seventh Avenue."Bids fly high for Jimmy Smith," "Billboard", December 15,
1962, p. 5. Schifrin and Smith collaborated to make The Cat, released by Verve Records in 1964.{{cite web |title=Jimmy Smith – The Cat Album Reviews, Songs & More {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-cat-mw0000188691 |website=allmusic.com |access-date=14 August 2023 |language=en}} Avant opened a West Coast office in September 1964 to accommodate the growing motion picture soundtrack assignments offered to his clients."Avant on Coast," "Billboard", September 19,
1964, p. 4. During his years in New York, Avant served as an adviser, board member, and executive of the National Association of Radio Announcers (NARA), later the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers (NATRA), and also as a consultant to PlayTape, a two track tape cartridge system developed by Frank Stanton, and first marketed by MGM Records."LP Clearance Wheels Turn." Billboard, June 11, 1966, p. 1.; "Avant Launches Sussex." Billboard, November 12, 1966, p. 3.; "PlayTape Girds for Mass Merchandising." Billboard, July 1, 1967, p. WS-2. On September 27, 1966, Avant incorporated Sussex Productions, Inc. in New York, an independent record production firm with artists Four Hi's, Johnny Nash, Terry Bryant,
Billy Woods, and the Judge and the Jury."Avant Launches Sussex." Billboard, November 12, 1966, p. 3.
= Venture Records Inc. =
Venture Records Inc., a company for which Avant successfully engineered the first joint venture between an African American artist and a major record company, was incorporated in California in 1967. Founded as an outlet for the soul acts of MGM Records, Venture Records Inc. was run by former Motown songwriter, record producer, and A&R department head William "Mickey" Stevenson.California Secretary of State, Corporation Number: C0533792, Corporate Records, Department of Corporations, Status Report/Statement of Information, Status: Forfeited, Jurisdiction: Delaware. Negotiated for Stevenson by Los Angeles attorney Abraham Somer, the label had offices at 8350 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills."MGM, Mickey Stevenson Announce Venture Label", "Record World", October 7, 1967, p. 3.
Avant moved from Manhattan to Beverly Hills to work with Venture Records Inc. in the Fall of 1967, doing so until 1969 when MGM Records shut down the label and joint venture. During this time, record producer, songwriter, and executive Al Bell enlisted the aid of Avant, whom he had met through the National Association of Television and Radio Announcers (NATRA), to sell Stax Records to Gulf+Western. The deal was finalized on May 29, 1968, for $4.3 million, with Avant receiving ten percent of all debentures.Bowman, Rob, Soulsville USA: The Story of Stax Records, Music Sales Group (2003), pp. 142–43; {{ISBN|978-0-8256-7284-2}}
In August 1969, Avant became the associate producer, along with Al Bell, of Douglas Turner Ward's The Reckoning (a surreal Southern Fable), presented in co-operation with The Negro Ensemble Company at St. Mark's Playhouse in New York.The New York Times, August 17, 1969, p. D2. The Reckoning started the off-Broadway season, starring Jeannette DuBois, later Ja'net Dubois of Good Times fame.Kerr, Walter. "For People Who Want To Be Cured of the Theater at Once," The New York Times, August 31, 1969, p. D1
= Sussex Records Inc. =
After Venture Records Inc. folded, Avant remained in Los Angeles and founded Sussex Records in 1969. The company went out of business in June 1975, with the IRS seizing and auctioning off all assets because of $48,000 in federal tax liens.{{cite news |last1=Ushe |first1=Naled |title=Clarence Avant, 'The Black Godfather' of music, dies at 92 |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/music/2023/08/14/clarence-avant-death-the-black-godfather-of-music/70587184007/ |access-date=August 14, 2023 |work=USA TODAY |date=August 14, 2023}}
The remaining furniture, office equipment, and recording masters (bought by CBS Records for $50,500) were auctioned in July 1975 at Sussex offices (6255 West Sunset Blvd, Hollywood). Avant signed singer, songwriter, and producer Bill Withers, guitarist Dennis Coffey, and soft rock band Gallery to Sussex Records, which was distributed from 1970 to 1974 by Buddah Records.{{Cite web|url=http://www.bsnpubs.com/buddah/sussex.html|title=Sussex Album Discography|access-date=August 17, 2018|archive-date=July 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180718100209/http://www.bsnpubs.com/buddah/sussex.html|url-status=live}}
Sussex Records is mentioned in the documentary Searching for Sugar Man. Interviewees in the documentary said in their interviews that they paid royalties from sales of Sixto Rodriguez' records to Sussex Records. It is strongly implied in the documentary that Rodriguez had been cheated out of the royalties.{{cite news |last1=Michaels |first1=Sean |title=Rodriguez lawsuit aims to uncover cause of singer's missing royalties |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/06/rodriguez-lawsuit-missing-royalties-searching-for-sugar-man |work=The Guardian |date=May 6, 2014 |access-date=April 5, 2020 |archive-date=March 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307174057/https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/may/06/rodriguez-lawsuit-missing-royalties-searching-for-sugar-man |url-status=live }}
= Avant Garde Broadcasting =
Under Avant Garde Broadcasting, Inc., founded on August 6, 1971, Avant bought the first African-American owned FM radio station in metropolitan Los Angeles on March 3, 1973, from Trans America Broadcasting Corp, buying the license of KTYM-FM in Inglewood, California for $321,000, including actual facilities at 6803 West Boulevard in Inglewood, and FCC licensing fees, renaming it KAGB-FM.{{cite web|url=http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/cbs.aspx|title=Business Search – Business Entities – Business Programs|website=kepler.sos.ca.gov|access-date=2016-04-25|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100402014221/http://kepler.sos.ca.gov/cbs.aspx|archive-date=April 2, 2010|df=mdy-all}}{{cite news|last=Avant|first=Clarence|title=Clarence Avant Buys Calif. Radio Station|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wrEDAAAAMBAJ&q=%22clarence+avant%22+and+jet&pg=PA58|newspaper=Jet Magazine|date=March 8, 1973|access-date=November 9, 2020|archive-date=August 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814122104/https://books.google.com/books?id=wrEDAAAAMBAJ&q=%22clarence+avant%22+and+jet&pg=PA58|url-status=live}}, "Avant Garde Gets FCC OK for KYTM-FM", "Radio World", p. 20.
Using a $199,900 promissory note and stock purchase warrants from the Urban National Corporation of Boston, Massachusetts (a Venture Capital company founded in July 1971), Avant partnered with two investment bankers.{{cite web|title=Urban National Corporation|url=http://corp.sec.state.ma.us/corp/corpsearch/CorpSearchSummary.asp?ReadFromDB=True&UpdateAllowed=&FEIN=042483312|series=Domestic Profit Corporation|work=Articles of Organization-7/20/1971|publisher=Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Corporations Division}}{{dead link|date=October 2016}}
Del Shields from the National Association of Radio and Television Announcers served as Executive Vice-president.{{citation needed|date=August 2023}}
Management refused to accept all counsel or advice on how to run the station, despite never turning a profit. Ultimately, AVG was forced into bankruptcy by Urban National on November 20, 1975, when it defaulted on promissory notes and warrants of around $400,000. {{anchor|Interior}}Avant lost about $611,168.67 in the bankruptcy, $71,500 from Interior Music Corporation advances between August 1973 and September 1974, and $13,887 from Sussex Records loans. Comedian Bill Cosby was an additional investor in Avant Garde Broadcasting, investing approx. $200,000 through his company SAH Enterprises."Bankruptcy Sale: Avant Garde Broadcasting, Inc. dba KAGB-FM, Bankrupt, Bankruptcy No. BK75-20840-BR.," Los Angeles Times, April 15, 1976, p. F1.{{cite journal|last=Avant|first=Clarence|title=Former All-Pro Davis Buys Radio Station in Calif.|date=October 21, 1976|page=54|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9UIDAAAAMBAJ&q=%22avant+garde+broadcasting%22&pg=PA54|website=Books.google.com|access-date=2016-10-03|archive-date=August 14, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814122103/https://books.google.com/books?id=9UIDAAAAMBAJ&q=%22avant+garde+broadcasting%22&pg=PA54|url-status=live}}
= Save the Children =
In September 1973, Paramount Pictures released Save the Children, with Avant serving as executive producer. Filmed at the Operation PUSH Black Expo in Chicago, the production mixed performances of top black entertainers with footage depicting blacks, especially children, in various conditions, including war-ravaged and malnourished refugees. The film premiered at the Apollo Theater in Harlem.Weiler, A.H., "Stars Save The Children," The New York Times, September 19, 1973, p. 40
Awards
On May 23, 1998, Avant received the Golden Plate Award from the American Academy of Achievement, presented by Awards Council member Quincy Jones.{{cite web|title=Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement|website=achievement.org|publisher=American Academy of Achievement|url=https://achievement.org/our-history/golden-plate-awards/}}
On February 10, 2008, the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences awarded him the Trustees Award.{{cite news |last1=Horton |first1=Adrian |title=Clarence Avant, 'Godfather of Black music', dies aged 92 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/culture/2023/aug/14/clarence-avant-black-music-legend-dead |access-date=August 14, 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=August 14, 2023}}
On October 7, 2016, Avant received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions in the recording industry, located at 6363 Hollywood Boulevard, next to Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis' star.{{Cite web|url=http://www.walkoffame.com/clarence-avant|title=Clarence Avant {{!}} Hollywood Walk of Fame|website=www.walkoffame.com|access-date=2016-10-29|archive-date=October 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030001440/http://www.walkoffame.com/clarence-avant|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7534248/clarence-avant-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star|title=Clarence Avant, 'Godfather of Black Music', Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame|first=Gail|last=Mitchell|newspaper=Billboard|date=October 7, 2016|access-date=2016-10-29|archive-date=October 14, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161014201033/http://www.billboard.com/articles/business/7534248/clarence-avant-hollywood-walk-of-fame-star|url-status=live}}
In February 2018, Avant received the President's Merit Award as a Grammy Icon at the Clive Davis Pre Grammy Gala in Los Angeles.{{Cite web|url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/clarence-avant-godfather-black-music-be-honored-pre-grammy-gala|title=Clarence Avant to be Honored at Pre-GRAMMY Gala|first=Greta|last=Bjornson|publisher=Grammy Awards|date=January 25, 2019|access-date=October 25, 2019|archive-date=August 7, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807040715/https://www.grammy.com/grammys/news/clarence-avant-godfather-black-music-be-honored-pre-grammy-gala|url-status=live}}
On May 12, 2021, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced that Avant received the Ahmet Ertegun award and will be inducted to the 2021 class.{{Cite web|url=https://greensboro.com/community/rockingham_now/news/greensboros-clarence-avant-inducted-into-rock-roll-hall-of-fame/article_b0c72164-3aac-11ec-951e-83889b743318.html|title=Greensboro's Clarence Avant inducted into Rock & Roll Hall of Fame|first=Nancy|last=McLaughlin|date=November 1, 2021|access-date=November 21, 2021|archive-date=November 21, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211121070900/https://greensboro.com/community/rockingham_now/news/greensboros-clarence-avant-inducted-into-rock-roll-hall-of-fame/article_b0c72164-3aac-11ec-951e-83889b743318.html|url-status=live}} Previous inductee Bill Withers, as well as Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Barack Obama spoke about Avant's impact in a video package.{{cite news |last1=Rettig |first1=James |title=Clarence Avant, "Godfather Of Black Music," Dead At 92 |url=https://www.stereogum.com/2233024/clarence-avant-godfather-of-black-music-dead-at-92/news/ |access-date=August 14, 2023 |work=Stereogum |date=August 14, 2023 |language=en}}
Personal life
In 1967, Avant married Jacqueline "Jackie" Alberta Gray.{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Evan Nicole |title=Remembering Jacqueline Avant: "Her Advocacy Was Profound" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/jacqueline-avant-profound-advocacy-1235056582/ |access-date=August 14, 2023 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=December 3, 2021}} The couple had two children; Nicole and Alexander. Nicole Avant is a former United States Ambassador to the Bahamas, and wife of Netflix executive Ted Sarandos, who produced the Netflix documentary The Black Godfather about her father's music industry career and his influential role advocating for Black artists and athletes.
Jackie Avant served as president of the Neighbors of Watts, the support group for the South Central Community Child Care Center in 1975, entertainment chairman of the NOW benefit auction and dinner dance, and chairwoman of NOW membership in 1974.(1975, August 11). "Mrs. Avant New President of Child Care Support Group". Los Angeles Times, p. E7.Gindick, Tia (February 18, 1980), "Beverly Hills Hostess For African Dignitaries: Jackie Avant, Entrepreneur's Wife Is Involved and Active", Los Angeles Times, p. OC_C1. She was also on the board of directors of the International Student Center at UCLA. She was shot and killed on December 1, 2021, at age 81, during a home invasion at the couple's residence in Beverly Hills, California.{{cite news|url = https://apnews.com/article/shootings-1bf53855670e88da823da35486eb06b3|title = Jacqueline Avant, wife of music legend, killed in shooting|last1 = Pizzello|first1 = Chris|last2 = Dalton|first2 = Andrew|last3 = Dazio|first3 = Stefanie|work = Associated Press|date = December 1, 2021|access-date = December 1, 2021|archive-date = December 1, 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211201195919/https://apnews.com/article/shootings-1bf53855670e88da823da35486eb06b3|url-status = live}}{{Cite web|date=December 7, 2021|title=Suspect Charged with Murder in Death of Philanthropist Jacqueline Avant, Wife of Music Exec Clarence Avant|url=https://people.com/crime/suspect-charged-with-murder-in-death-of-philanthropist-jacqueline-avant/|access-date=December 23, 2021|website=People|first=Greta|last=Bjornson|language=en-US|archive-date=December 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211222204905/https://people.com/crime/suspect-charged-with-murder-in-death-of-philanthropist-jacqueline-avant/|url-status=live}}
Avant's 75th birthday was celebrated by Billboard in its February 2006 issue.{{cite news|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=GB&p_theme=gb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=111C1D497A621F08&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|title=Industry Hero Gets Back to His Roots|publisher=nl.newsbank.com May 2006|access-date=December 5, 2010|archive-date=October 24, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024024749/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=GB&p_theme=gb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=111C1D497A621F08&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status=live}}
Clarence Avant died at his home in Los Angeles on August 13, 2023, at the age of 92.{{cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Mike |title=Clarence Avant, 'Godfather of Black Music,' Dies at 92 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/clarence-avant-dead-godfather-black-music-1235565979/ |access-date=14 August 2023 |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 14, 2023 |archive-date=August 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814124650/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/clarence-avant-dead-godfather-black-music-1235565979/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last1=Tsioulcas |first1=Anastasia |title=Clarence Avant, a major power broker in music, sports and politics, has died at 92 |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/08/14/1193720263/clarence-avant |website=NPR |access-date=21 August 2023 |date=14 August 2023}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0042782|Clarence Avant}}
- {{Discogs artist|Clarence Avant}}
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw8RYWXtm5w Music Industry Veteran Clarence Avant on Working with Bill Withers]
- {{cite web |url= http://www.oldnewark.com/memories/newark/rothschildnight.htm |url-status= dead |title= Recalling Newark Night Life |first= Barbara L. |last= Rothschild |website= Old Newark |archive-date= July 29, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160729001258/http://www.oldnewark.com/memories/newark/rothschildnight.htm }}
- {{cite web |url= http://www.walkoffame.com/pages/upcoming-ceremonies |publisher= Hollywood Walk of Fame |title= Upcoming Ceremonies |date= Oct 7, 2016 |url-status= unfit |archive-date= Oct 4, 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20161004024900/http://www.walkoffame.com/pages/upcoming-ceremonies }}
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{{NAACP Image Award – Hall of Fame Award}}
{{2021 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}
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Category:People from Guilford County, North Carolina
Category:African-American record producers
Category:American film producers
Category:American music industry executives
Category:Record producers from North Carolina
Category:People from Greensboro, North Carolina