Music pioneer Ahmet Ertegun dies at 83

[LTR]

Ahmet Ertegun, who helped define American music as the founder of Atlantic Records, a label that popularized the gritty R&B of Ray Charles, the classic soul of Aretha Franklin and the British rock of the Rolling Stones, died Tuesday at 83, his spokesman said.

Ertegun remained connected to the music scene until his last days — it was at an Oct. 29 concert by the Rolling Stones at the Beacon Theatre in New York where Ertegun fell, suffered a head injury and was hospitalized. He later slipped into a coma.

"He was in a coma and expired today with his family at his bedside," said Dr. Howard A. Riina, Ertegun's neurosurgeon at New York Presbyterian Hospital-Weill Cornell Medical Center.

Ertegun will be buried in a private ceremony in his native Turkey, said Bob Kaus, a spokesman for Ertegun and Atlantic Records. A memorial service will be conducted in New York after New Year's.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061214/ap_en_mu/obit_ahmet_ertegun&printer=1

[PoiBoy]

1. So sad...

he was a true "mover and shaker"..

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/12811234/rock__roll_founding_father_ahmet_ertegun_dies_at_83

<snip>
Ertegun helped usher in the transition from rhythm and blues to rock & roll, signing Ray Charles and the Drifters to Atlantic and producing Big Joe Turner's original version of "Shake, Rattle and Roll." At Ertegun's counsel, the label forged relationships with a wide range of talent, from John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman and Charles Mingus to Led Zeppelin, Crosby, Stills and Nash and AC/DC.
<end>

...and at Bill Clinton's Birthday Bash no less...

<snip>
Ahmet Ertegun, a music industry titan who was a founder of both Atlantic Records and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, died on December 14, 2006. Ertegun had been in a coma since October 29th, after sustaining head injuries from a fall he took backstage during the Rolling Stones performance at President Bill Clinton's 60th birthday party. Ertegun was 83.
<end>

RIP Ahmet.. and thanks for all you did...

[Lautremont]

2. I used to look at my Atlantic records and assume that his name was

spelled backwards, accidentally or otherwise. I don't know why.

But he was sure a good producer. Those Ray Charles records sound fabulous.

[LTR]

13. If he was anything like the way he was portrayed in the movie "Ray"...

...and I assume he was, then he was definitely a music mogul with integrity.

He seemed to really believe in quality music. And judging by the roster of artists that have benefitted from him, I believe that to be true.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

3. Rest in peace.

Thanks for the music.

[TacticalPeek]

4. Bummer.

Somebody who made a difference.

RIP, baby.

[dbt]

5. Thank you, Ahmet Ertegun. Well done!

I don't know how I would have made it through my 16th summer without the stomping, joyous groove of Wilson Pickett's "Funky Broadway." Atlantic Records put places like Memphis and Muscle Shoals on the map! I could always depend on Atlantic to deliver hot, sweaty, authentic Soul Music and would rush out to buy each new Super Hits compilation.

Thank you for sending Aretha out into this world and a thousand bonus Cool Points (like you need them) for Buffalo Springfield on Atco. May you dwell in Glory forever!

Say hey to Pickett for me.



:loveya:
dbt
Remember New Orleans

[HughBeaumont]

6. Music needs more Ahmet Erteguns and less ClearChannels/LiveNations.

His contributions to the music industry could never be measured in dollars. Possessed with an uncanny knack for recognizing unknown artists that would change music, Ahmet shaped the soundtrack of R&B, Jazz and rock counterculture in the 50s - 80s. Not only that, but he understood the value of raising and developing his seed talent. Sometimes they would move on, but he always remained family to them. His influence and purpose is sadly lost on today's here-today-gone-in-the-evening, profit-only mindset of record executives.

You will be missed.

[GCP]

7. Ahmet was one of the good guys

He was totally color-blind at a time when the music industry was still "black" versus "white" music, eg Ray Charles vs Pat Boone.
RIP Ahmet.

[NashVegas]

8. Modern Label Execs Can't Touch His Hem

Can anyone imagine anyone of today's major label chiefs signing a John Coltrane?

[semillama]

9. The difference between modern music execs and Ertegun

is that Ertegun loved music, while the modern guys love money. That's all you need to know.

[LTR]

12. And that's what made music so great

Seems like pop music was much stronger when artists were signed based on the quality of their work, or even a hunch that they could become legends if people could only hear their music.

Without this sense, would we have even heard the likes of Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin, or John Coltrane? How about the great Memphis R&B sounds? Or how about Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen or Billy Joel at Columbia?

Today's execs sign unexciting, marginal artists like Jessica Simpson and Nickleback, and try to wring a few quck bucks with a massive marketing campaign. They're into disposable one hit-wonders that sell a ton of CD's initially, then can be shown the door when sales start to slide (Limp Bizkit, anyone?).

As an early example, Decca Records infamously refused to sign The Beatles in 1962, doubting their commercial potential. They signed some other group that went absolutely nowhere. Anyone notice a pattern? To their credit, they did sign the Rolling Stones initially, but that was only after the A&R guy that rejected The Beatles begged George Harrison to throw him a bone. Harrison suggested he audition The Stones. But no way would that guy have found them on his own.

This is what set guys like Ertegun and John Hammond apart from the rest. They had taste, and they were adamant enough to show it.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

10. Alumnus of St. John's College (Annapolis '44)

My wife (St. John's '77) forwarded me the news from her class president.
Quite a guy. Atlantic also produced Led Zepplin's records.

[bobbie]

11. Great man, started Bobby Darin's career, great producer

I'm very sad.

[jus_the_facts]

14. ~*~Rest In Peace~*~

[Vidar]

15. RIP