Altantic Records founder dead at 83

Legendary record producer and label executive Ahmet Ertegun died Thursday (December 14th) at the age of 83. Ertegun, the co-founder of Atlantic Records, had been in the hospital since a fall at a Rolling Stones concert in New York City in October, and he recently fell into a coma.

Ertegun emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 11, when his father was named Turkish Ambassador to the United States. He went on to become one of the most important figures in developing 20th century music, including R&B, jazz, and rock and roll.

In 1947 Ertegun co-founded Atlantic Records with partner Herb Abramson, and throughout the years helped produce and develop the careers of such pivotal artists as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Dizzy Gillespie, Ruth Brown, Joe Turner, John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, and the Modern Jazz Quartet.

He also helped develop such classic rock and roll acts as Led Zeppelin, Yes, the Rolling Stones, Buffalo Springfield, the Bee Gees, Cream, Sonny & Cher, Crosby Stills, Nash & Young, Bobby Darin, the Drifters, the Coasters, the Rascals, and many, many more.

He is a co-founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, into which he was inducted in 1987 in the non-performer category. He served as Co-Chairman of the Hall until his death.

At the time of the Rock Hall's opening, we spoke to Ertegun, the Hall's co-chairman of the Board Of Trustees, who discussed the importance of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: "Our first aim was to bring some dignity and some recognition to the great musicians and singers who created this music of rock n' roll, which is probably the most popular music of all time."

TRIBUTES FROM THOSE WHO KNEW HIM:

Jerry Greenberg, the former President of Atlantic Records: "...Ahmet and I worked very closely together for over 20 years. It was a father-son relationship sharing great music and making great memories together. Atlantic Records was one of the greatest family record companies that ever existed."

Daryl Hall: "Ahmet Ertegun was a giant in the record business. He cared first and foremost about the ARTIST and the MUSIC--much more than the business. He believed that if the Artist was true to him or herself, good business would follow. Sadly in today's atmosphere, this isn't the case. But, during Ahmet's days of influence it was!

Terry Stewart, president and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum: "Ahmet played an immeasurable role in the explosive growth of popular music since the 1940s and he was one of the driving forces in the development and growth of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland.... From Aretha to Zeppelin, Ahmet was instrumental in breaking many of the iconic artists of the last 50 years. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame would not be what it is today without his leadership.

Neil Portnow, President of the Recording Academy: "Ahmet Ertegun was a true visionary whose life's work had a profound impact on our culture's musical landscape, as well as around the world.... His contributions to popular music are everlasting, and his incredible accomplishments will continue to be celebrated for many years to come. This is truly a sad day for the music industry and for music lovers everywhere, but his legacy will shine on forever...."