Ahmet Ertegun Dies At 83

Ertegun

Music industry legend AHMET ERTEGUN has passed away. ERTEGUN, the founder of ATLANTIC RECORDS, died THURSDAY at 83; he had been in a coma after suffering a head injury at the OCTOBER 29 ROLLING STONES concert at NEW YORK's BEACON THEATER. ERTEGUN died THURSDAY at NEW YORK PRESBYTERIAN HOSPITAL-WEILL CORNELL MEDICAL CENTER.

ERTEGUN founded ATLANTIC with HERB ABRAMSON in 1947 and became well-known for championing R&B in the 1950's, later adding rock and pop to the label's roster with great success. Among the artists releasing music through ATLANTIC and ATCO are RAY CHARLES, ARETHA FRANKLIN, the ROLLING STONES, LED ZEPPELIN, RUTH BROWN, CROSBY, STILLS, NASH AND YOUNG, BIG JOE TURNER, CREAM, BOBBY DARIN, BETTE MIDLER, SONNY AND CHER, ABBA, and many others. The label was later sold to WARNER BROS. RECORDS and is now part of WARNER MUSIC GROUP.

A memorial service will be held after NEW YEAR'S DAY in NEW YORK; ERTEGUN will be buried in his native TURKEY.

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