The Life and Times of Ahmet Ertegun: A Legacy in Music

Ahmet Ertegun was a Turkish-American music executive who co-founded Atlantic Records, one of the most successful record labels in history. He was responsible for signing and developing the careers of some of the biggest names in music, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, and the Rolling Stones. Ertegun was also a passionate advocate for civil rights and social justice, and he used his platform to promote racial equality and integration in the music industry.

The Last Sultan: The Life and Times of Ahmet Ertegun

by Robert Greenfield

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	23956 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	466 pages

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Early Life and Career

Ahmet Ertegun was born in Istanbul, Turkey, in 1923. His father, Münir Ertegun, was a diplomat and ambassador, and his mother, Hayriye Ertegun, was a pianist and composer. Ertegun grew up in a wealthy and cosmopolitan family, and he was exposed to a wide variety of music from a young age. He began playing the piano at the age of four, and he later studied music at the American College in Istanbul.

In 1943, Ertegun moved to the United States to attend Georgetown University. He soon became involved in the music industry, working as a disc jockey and promoter. In 1947, he co-founded Atlantic Records with Herb Abramson. Atlantic Records quickly became one of the leading independent record labels in the United States, and Ertegun signed some of the biggest names in rhythm and blues, jazz, and rock and roll.

Atlantic Records

Under Ertegun's leadership, Atlantic Records became a major force in the music industry. The label signed a diverse roster of artists, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, and Otis Redding. Ertegun was known for his ability to spot talent and develop artists' careers. He was also a shrewd businessman, and he helped to build Atlantic Records into one of the most profitable record labels in the world.

In addition to his work at Atlantic Records, Ertegun was also involved in a number of other music-related ventures. He served as the president of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and he was a member of the board of directors of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He also founded the Ahmet Ertegun Education Fund, which provides scholarships to students pursuing careers in the music industry.

Civil Rights and Social Justice

Ertegun was a passionate advocate for civil rights and social justice. He used his platform in the music industry to promote racial equality and integration. He was instrumental in the desegregation of the music industry, and he helped to open doors for African-American artists. Ertegun also spoke out against the Vietnam War and other social injustices.

Ertegun's commitment to civil rights and social justice was evident in his personal life as well. He was a close friend of Martin Luther King Jr., and he supported the civil rights movement in a number of ways. He also donated money to a number of charities and organizations that worked to promote racial equality and social justice.

Legacy

Ahmet Ertegun died in 2006 at the age of 83. He is remembered as one of the most influential figures in the history of the music industry. He was a visionary leader who helped to shape the sound of popular music for over 50 years. He was also a passionate advocate for civil rights and social justice, and he used his platform to make the world a better place.

Ertegun's legacy lives on through the music of the artists he signed and developed. He helped to launch the careers of some of the biggest names in popular music, and his influence can still be heard in the music of today.

Image Descriptions

• Ahmet Ertegun with Ray Charles: Ahmet Ertegun and Ray Charles are shown shaking hands. Ertegun is wearing a suit and tie, and Charles is wearing a dark jacket and sunglasses.
• Ahmet Ertegun with Aretha Franklin: Ahmet Ertegun and Aretha Franklin are shown standing next to each other. Ertegun is wearing a suit and tie, and Franklin is wearing a black dress.
• Ahmet Ertegun with Led Zeppelin: Ahmet Ertegun is shown standing in the middle of the Led Zeppelin band members. He is wearing a suit and tie, and the band members are wearing casual clothes.
• Ahmet Ertegun with the Rolling Stones: Ahmet Ertegun is shown standing next to the Rolling Stones band members. He is wearing a suit and tie, and the band members are wearing casual clothes.

The Last Sultan: The Life and Times of Ahmet Ertegun

by Robert Greenfield

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	23956 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	466 pages

FREE