Rolling Stones leaders mourn late Atlantic Records founder

Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun is being mourned by Rolling Stones leaders Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. The Stones were distributed by Atlantic in the '70s, and both Richards and Jagger had a genuine affection for Ertegun, who was buried in his native Turkey on Monday, December 18th. Jagger said, "He was a marvelous man, very witty, a great raconteur who lived a full social and business life spanning 50 years in popular music. He will be fondly remembered by all who knew him, and I will personally miss our warm and long friendship." Richards added, "What a guy! With Ahmet gone, the old recording industry goes with him. He was as much a father to us as he was a formidable guy to do business with. One only has to look at the incredible roster of artists that he worked with to realize that we have lost a giant. I shall miss him and that low chuckle. One Love, Keith."

Ertegun fell and injured his head backstage at a Rolling Stones concert at the Beacon Theater in New York City on October 29th. He died last Thursday (December 14th).