Ahmet Ertegun, the record-company magnate who founded Atlantic Records
and shaped the careers of many of the top musicians of his day,
including John Coltrane, Ray Charles, the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, died today in Manhattan. He was 83.
The New York Times
Published: December 14, 2006
« It is very difficult to realize that Ahmet Ertegun will not be here any more.
His brother Nesuhi was a great help and support for the Montreux Jazz
Festival and Ahmet took over after his death. He helped putting
together great Montreux nights under the generic term "Atlantic All
Stars" and for the 40th anniversary, the Festival paid a Tribute to
Ahmet with artists such as Robert Plant, Stevie Nicks, Steve Winwood,
Les McCann, Solomon Burke, Ben E. King, Nile Rodgers and Chic, George
Duke, Paolo Nutini and Kid Rock. They all came to Montreux especially
for him.
Ahmet definitely had a gift to find new talents, Aretha
Franklin and Ray Charles for example and more recently Paolo Nutini and
Gnarls Barkley, who played in Montreux this year.
Today, the Montreux Jazz Festival’s audience and all the staff
are paying hommage to Ahmet. The last record industry icon is no longer
with us and we all deeply regret it. »
Claude Nobs
Visit the Ahmet Ertegun tribute site
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