Ahmet Ertegun
July 31, 1923 – December 14, 2006
Ahmet Ertegun was arguably the most celebrated record label executives in the history of recorded music. In 1947, he and Herb Abramson formed Atlantic Records to focus on R&B, jazz and gospel music. Over the next decade, they brought Ertegun’s brother, Nesuhi Ertegun, and Jerry Wexler on board, while building an artist roster that included Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, and Big Joe Turner. By putting more focus on the development of their artists’ talents and careers, Atlantic Records quickly established itself as one of popular music’s premier labels. When the ’60s hit, Ertegun and other head’s of the label decided to broaden its focus to include soul and rock, signing such acts as Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Led Zeppelin, and Crosby, Still, Nash & Young. The Erteguns sold Atlantic to Warner Bros. in 1969, but Ahmet stayed involved for many years to come. On October 29, 2006, Ertegun fell and hit his head on the concrete floor, while in the VIP backstage area of a Rolling Stones concert. He sustained head injuries that eventually lead to a coma. On December 14 of that same year, Ahmet Ertegun, 83, passed away.