Friday, December 15, 2006
A musical education
I'm surprised how little attention the death of Ahmet Ertegun is receiving. The man co-founded Atlantic Records, and -- with his brother and partner Nesuhi, partner Herb Abramson, executive and producer Jerry Wexler and producer Tom Dowd -- helped guide the careers of dozens of artists, many of them geniuses in their own right.
If you're looking for a musical education, listen to the "Atlantic Rhythm & Blues" box, eight discs of powerful music and enlightening history: Stick McGhee, Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, Ray Charles, the Drifters, the Coasters, Stax/Volt, Aretha. Ertegun helped make that happen. (Not to mention Atlantic's rock roster: The (Young) Rascals, Buffalo Springfield, Led Zeppelin ...) Music executives don't always inspire admiration, and Lord knows the music business too often forgets about music. But listen to any Atlantic record from the label's golden age and it's obvious that Ertegun and his colleagues were also music lovers. They had ears. He will be missed. 5 Comments
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I was also saddend to hear of the passing of Ahmet Ertegun. He was one of the original "Hit Men" of early Rock & Soul, however, the other side of the Atlantic Record is never talked about. Many of the earl Atlantic artist have died broke or in poverty, due in part to the terrible contracts signed with Atlantic Records. Even Ruth Brown, an early pioneer of the label, had to later sue to retrieve a portion of the royalties she was due. In the movie "Ray", they do not go into the real reason that he left Atlantic Records because it would have pointed out that he and the other artist were working under a servitude contract. In later years, when the label begin to sign white "Rock Acts", the contracts were much more artist friendly than for those early R&B acts.
This is not intended to throw stones on a grave,he is indeed a great man for bringing them to public attention however, someday, someone will have to tell the full truth about the Atlantic Records story and the way that the early artist were used. Tony Johnson Charlotte,NC
Todd is absolutely correct.
The loss of Ahmet Ertegun is huge. So much history and no one is aware, let alone cares.
It's almost like the holiday season is superceding the attention away from Ahmet Ertegun's death.
This man was the Godfather of the music I grew up with and followed and still enjoy. Beyonce, Whitney, and Aretha. The Divas, the Soul man Ray Charles and all those ramalama ding dongs should be stepping up to the mikes and speaking out about how he influenced their lives. Why is it that the average man on the street is the only one speaking up?
I totally agree with Todd. Ahmet Ertegun was a total visionary. What an ear for talent, he truly loved music and was a total classy man. I was always in awe of him. He will be missed by many even though there wasn't any hoopla over his death.
What a life!!!! |
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