Atlantic Records' Founder Ertegun in a Coma from a Fall at a Rolling Stones Show

[NashVegas]

The man who helped to take the Rolling Stones to superstardom was left fighting for life after falling backstage at a New York performance by the band.

Record mogul Ahmet Ertegun - who signed the band in the early Seventies at a time of uncertainty for them - had been backstage as Mick Jagger and Co performed at Bill Clinton's 60th birthday party last Sunday in Manhattan.

http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23373354-details/Rock%20industry%20giant%20fights%20for%20life%20after%20fall%20at%20Clinton's%20party/article.do


Ertegan was a keyspeaker at a music biz conference I once attended. He spoke about sneaking out of his Boston home, as a teenager, and taking the night train to NYC to catch jazz shows. Cool guy.

[LynneSin]

1. With the crap that the Stones have been putting out, I'd fall into a coma too

However, Ahmet Ertegun is a living legend. He's also the guy who started Led Zeppelin on their way to stardom. Atlantic has to be one of the most influencial record companies out there. I wish him well and hope he gets better soon

[flamingyouth]

2. Wow, that's a shame.

:(

[kwassa]

3. One of the most important people in popular music ever

http://www.rockhall.com/hof/inductee.asp?id=99

One of the most significant figures in the modern recording industry, Ahmet Ertegun co-founded Atlantic Records in 1947 with partner Herb Abramson. Atlantic was at the forefront of great independent labels that sprang up in the late Forties, challenging the primacy of the major labels of the time (RCA, Columbia and Decca) by discovering, developing and nurturing new talent. Under the guiding hand of Ertegun - the son of a career diplomat and a lifelong jazz and blues aficionado - Atlantic became the nation's premier rhythm & blues label in a few short years. The label's artist roster in the Fifties reads like an honor roll of R&B talent: Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, Ray Charles, LaVern Baker, the Drifters, the Coasters, the Clovers, and many more. During this period, Ertegun produced or coproduced the vast majority of records released on Atlantic. He even wrote songs for Atlantic artists in the early days using the pseudonym "Nugetre" (Ertegun spelled backwards).

Ahmet Ertegun signs the English group Cream. Atlantic will become a major force in British rock, releasing albums by such artists as the Bee Gees, Mott the Hoople, Yes, Genesis, Derek and the Dominos, Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Led Zeppelin.

[Lars39]

4. There was a wonderful documentary on HBO(?) the other day

that showcased his career. Wonderful glimpse into history.