Founder of Atlantic Records Dies of Head Injury

Christina Cole

Contributor

0 CommentsPrint ArticleSubscribe

Ahmet, Ertegun, mentor and founder of Atlantic Records, died at age 83. Ahmet Ertegun, fell backstage in October during a Rolling Stones concert at the Beacon Theatre in New York. He injured his head causing major brain injury that caused his death. After being taken to the hospital, Eretegun slipped into a coma on October 29th.

Ertegun turned Atlantic Records (Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Bee Gees ...) into a powerhouse with the help of a $10,000 loan from his dentist. Later Warner Seven-Art bought the label in '67. Even though Warner Seven-Art bought into the label Ertegun managed to stay on to help create the albums we all love, which changed two years later.

The label is under Warner Music Group, and includes a roster of artists such as Kid Rock, Lil Kim and Missy Elliott.

"All of us at Atlantic Records are profoundly saddened by the loss of our founder and mentor," said Atlantic Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman.