‘Godfather of Black Music’ Clarence Avant’s wife is shot dead in home invasion in Los Angeles
‘Godfather of Black Music’ Clarence Avant’s wife, 81, is shot dead during 2.30am burglary at their Beverly Hills mansion while he was at home
Legendary music executive Clarence Avant’s wife was shot dead by robbers in a home invasion in the elite Trousdale Estates neighborhood in LA on WednesdayBeverly Hills police were called to the home around 2.30am Wednesday after a 911 caller reported that someone had been shot and killed Avant’s wife of 54 years, Jacqueline Avant, was rushed to hospital, where she later died, before police arrivedShe was 81 years old
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Legendary music executive Clarence Avant’s wife, Jacqueline, was shot dead by robbers in a home invasion Tuesday in an elite Los Angeles neighborhood. Avant, 90, seen here next to his wife in February, was home during the attack
Legendary music executive Clarence Avant’s wife has been shot dead by robbers in a home invasion in an elite Los Angeles neighborhood.
Beverly Hills police were called to the home in neighboring Trousdale Estates around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday after a 911 caller said someone had been shot and killed, TMZ first reported.
Avant’s wife of 54 years, Jacqueline Avant, was rushed to hospital before police arrived. She later died at the hospital.
She was 81 years old.
DailyMail.com reached out to the Beverly Hills Police Department for more information.
A family source told TMZ that robbers fired shots as they entered the home and hit Avant’s wife.
Avant, 90, was home at the time, but it’s unclear whether he has been injured in the attack.
The legendary music executive was inducted into the Rock and Hall of Fame this year, with his wife by his side.
The couple’s daughter, Nicole Avant, 53, is currently married to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos. Nicole was also ambassador to the Bahamas, appointed by then-president Barack Obama in 2009. DailyMail.com reached out to Netflix for comment.
Jacqueline sat on the board of directors of the International Student Center at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), served as president of the Neighbors of Watts – a group that supported the South Central Community Child Care Center, and also served as chairperson of NOW membership and entertainment chairperson of the NOW benefit auction and dinner dance in 1975, according to IMDb.
Jacqueline (left) was rushed to a hospital after the attack, but succumbed to her injuries shortly after. She leaves behind a 53-year-old daughter, Nicole (second from left), and a son (not pictured). Nicole, a former United States Ambassador to the Bahamas, is currently married to Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos (third from left)
Beverly Hills police were called to Avant’s home in Trousdale Estates (pictured), just outside Beverly Hills, around 2.30am on Tuesday night after a 911 caller reported that a shooting
The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame describes Avant as ‘cool, savvy, confident, and fearless – someone who makes the impossible possible. He’s served a variety of roles during his illustrious career, including manager, label owner, concert organizer, event producer, political fundraiser, and mentor.’
‘Avant’s career began in the 1950s when he served as the manager for Little Willie John and jazz organist Jimmy Smith. In late 1969, he launched Sussex Records, a label that soon achieved a Top Ten hit with Dennis Coffey’s ‘Scorpio.’ The most notable artist on Sussex was Bill Withers, who released his first three records for the label, featuring the hits ‘Ain’t No Sunshine,’ ‘Lean on Me,’ and ‘Use Me.’ In 1971, Avant launched Avant Garde Broadcasting, one of the first Black-owned radio stations in the country.’
He is also a producer and actor known for Deliver Us from Evil in 1975, The Color Purple in 1985 and Jason’s Lyric in 1994, according to his IMDb profile.
Jacqueline, Clarence and Gail Mitchell at the Jazz Foundation honors in LA in 2019
Clarence, Jacqueline and Jimmy Jam at the NMAAM 2016 Black Music Honors
Clarence was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2016, with his wife by his side
He was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2016.
The apparent attack comes as Los Angeles and California have faced a slew of high-end robberies and ‘smash-and-grabs.’
This is a developing story
