The Turk behind the Genius dies

Ahmet Ertegun, Founding Chairman of Atlantic Records, Dies at 83

His voice can be heard singing the chorus of Ray Charle's One Fine Chick; no hint of soul in his accent

NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- December 14, 2006 -- Ahmet Ertegun, Founding Chairman of Atlantic Records, passed away today in New York City at the age of 83. He had been hospitalized with a head injury since October 29, when he fell backstage at a Rolling Stones concert at the Beacon Theatre in Manhattan.

Mr. Ertegun will be buried in a private ceremony in his native Turkey. A memorial service will be conducted in New York after the New Year.

Ertegun, a jazz fanatic who came to the United States at age 11 when his father was named Turkish ambassador, founded Atlantic Records with Herb Abramson in 1947 and quickly turned it into one of the leading independent jazz and rhythm-and-blues labels.

Their early client list included legendary performers like Professor Longhair, Ruth Brown, Joe Turner, Erroll Garner and Dizzy Gillespie.

Ertegun also helped Charles, Aretha Franklin, saxophonist John Coltrane and hard rock group Led Zeppelin became stars.