Ahmet Ertegun

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Ahmet Ertegun
Ertegun c. 1960
Ertegun c. 1960
Background information
Birth nameAhmet Munir
Also known asA. Nugetre
Born(1923-07-31)July 31, 1923
Istanbul, Turkey
OriginWashington, D.C., U.S.
DiedDecember 14, 2006(2006-12-14) (aged 83)
New York City, U.S.
GenresBlues, rhythm and blues, rock and roll
Occupation(s)Record label executive, record producer, songwriter, composer, philanthropist
Years active1944–2006
LabelsAtlantic

Ahmet Ertegun (

philanthropist
.

Ertegun was the co-founder and president of

Rhythm and Blues Music Hall of Fame
in recognition of his work in the music business.

Ertegun helped foster ties between the U.S. and Turkey, his birthplace. He served as the chairman of the American Turkish Society for over 20 years until his death.[2] He also co-founded the New York Cosmos soccer team of the original North American Soccer League.

Background

The Ertegun family in 1942

Ertegun was born Ahmet Munir in Istanbul, Turkey, on July 31, 1923.[3] His mother, Hayrünnisa, was an accomplished musician who played keyboard and stringed instruments. She bought the popular records of the day, to which Ahmet and his brother, Nesuhi listened.[4] His older brother Nesuhi introduced him to jazz music, taking him at the age of nine to see the Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway orchestras in London.[5] In 1935, Ahmet and his family moved to Washington, D.C., with his father, Munir Ertegun, who was appointed as the Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey to the United States.[6] When Ahmet was 14, his mother bought him a record-cutting machine, which he used to compose and add lyrics to instrumental records.

Ertegun's love for music pulled him into the heart of Washington, DC's black district where he would routinely see such top acts as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway,

Muslim beliefs."[7]

Ertegun and his brother frequented

78s, and became acquainted with musicians such as Ellington, Lena Horne and Jelly Roll Morton. Ahmet and Nesuhi staged concerts by Lester Young, Sidney Bechet and other jazz giants. They also traveled to New Orleans and to Harlem
to listen to music and develop a keen awareness of developing musical tastes.

Atlantic Records logo from its inception in 1947 to 1966 (it was still used on 7" single releases), used again from 1979 to 1981 and 2004 to 2015.

Ertegun graduated from

Harry Truman ordered the battleship USS Missouri to return his body to Turkey as a demonstration of friendship between the US and Turkey. This show of support was meant to counter the Soviet Union
's potential political demands on Turkey.

At the time of his father's death, Ahmet was taking graduate courses in medieval philosophy at Georgetown University.

Soon afterward, when the rest of the family returned permanently to Turkey, Ahmet and Nesuhi stayed in the United States. While Nesuhi moved to Los Angeles, Ahmet stayed in Washington and decided to get into the record business as a temporary measure to help him through college.

Early career

See also: Atlantic Records
Ahmet (left) with his brother Nesuhi, around 1960

In 1946, Ertegun became friends with

R&B music
. Financed by family dentist Dr. Vahdi Sabit, they formed Atlantic Records in September 1947 in New York City. The first recording sessions took place that November.

In 1949, after 22 unsuccessful record releases, including the first recordings by Professor Longhair, Atlantic had its first major hit with Stick McGhee's "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee". The company expanded through the 1950s, with Jerry Wexler and, later, Ertegun's brother Nesuhi on board as partners. Hit artists that recorded on Atlantic included Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, The Clovers, The Drifters, The Coasters and Ray Charles.

Like the Erteguns, many independent record executives were from immigrant backgrounds, including the Bihari and the Chess brothers. The Ertegun brothers brought a jazz sensibility (and many jazz artists) into R&B, successfully combining blues and jazz styles from around the country. Atlantic helped challenge the primacy of the major labels of the time by discovering, developing, and nurturing new talent. It became the premier rhythm and blues label in a few years and, with the help of innovative engineer/producer Tom Dowd, set new standards in producing high-quality recordings. Atlantic was among the first labels to record in stereo, and in 1957 was the first record company to utilize an 8-track tape machine.[9]

Ertegun himself wrote a number of classic

B.B. King's repertoire. "Chains of Love" was a popular hit for Pat Boone. He also wrote the Ray Charles hit "Mess Around", with lyrics that drew heavily on "Pinetop's Boogie Woogie". He was briefly listed as "Nuggy" in the credits before changing to "A. Nugetre". Ertegun was part of the shouting choral group on Turner's "Shake, Rattle and Roll", along with Wexler and songwriter Jesse Stone. He also wrote "Ting A Ling", a 1956 hit for The Clovers that was covered by Buddy Holly. "Fool, Fool, Fool", another Clovers song was a hit for Kay Starr. His "Don't Play That Song (You Lied)" was recorded by Aretha Franklin, Ben E. King, and in an international version by Adriano Celentano
.

The five lines of the lyrics of "Lovey Dovey" by the Clovers were used by Steve Miller in his hit "The Joker". Other Nugetre rhythm and blues hits include "Whatcha Gonna Do" by The Drifters, "Wild, Wild Young Men" by Ruth Brown, Ray Charles's "Heartbreaker", "Middle of the Night" by The Clovers, "Ti-Ri-Lee" by Big Joe Turner, and "Story of My Love" by LaVern Baker. All of these were originally recorded for Atlantic Records. He also wrote "Missä Olit Silloin (Dawn in Ankara)" for Finnish singer Irina Milan as Ahmet Ertegun.

In 1958, Ertegun replaced Abramson as Atlantic's president and Abramson left the company after selling his financial interest.[10]

Marriages

On 6 January 1953 Ertegun married Jan Holm (née Enstam), a Swedish-American actress, fashion model, and set designer, who was the daughter of Carl Enstam and the former wife of Edward Walter Rathbun. She and Ertegun had no children and divorced in about 1956.[11][12]

In 1961 he married Ioana Maria "Mica" Grecianu, the former wife of Stefan Grecianu and a daughter of Gheorghe Banu, a Romanian doctor and statesman. Mica later became a well-known interior designer, a co-founder of the decorating firm MAC II. The couple had no children.[13][12]: 143–146 

Later career

In the 1960s, Atlantic, often in partnerships with local labels like

Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
.

Ertegun initially had no desire to sell Atlantic, but his partner Jerry Wexler was nervous about the label's future and after convincing Ertegun's brother Nesuhi of his position, Ertegun eventually conceded and they sold Atlantic to

North American Soccer League. They were instrumental in bringing soccer legends like Pelé, Carlos Alberto and Franz Beckenbauer
to the club. They transformed the Cosmos into a "dream team".

When Atlantic became part of the

Time Warner, Atlantic Records continued with Ertegun at the helm, and although he was less directly involved as a producer, he wielded considerable influence in the new conglomerate. He continued to produce some rock acts, such as Dr. John and The Honeydrippers. He also used his considerable personal skills in negotiations with major stars, such as when The Rolling Stones were shopping for a record company to distribute their independent Rolling Stones Records label. Ertegun personally conducted the negotiations with Mick Jagger, successfully completing the deal between the Stones and Atlantic, when other labels had actually offered the band more money. He took a personal interest in the progressive rock band Yes, and took a strong stand with bassist Chris Squire on the direction of the 90125 album. He encouraged Squire and the group to make sure the album produced a hit single, which it did with "Owner of a Lonely Heart
".

In 1987 Ertegun was inducted into the

Staple Singers. In 1988, he received the Golden Plate Award of the American Academy of Achievement.[17]

Ertegun received an

Boston in 1991, and was awarded the Grammy Trustees Award
for his lifetime achievements in 1993. At the tenth annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Dinner in 1995, it was announced that the museum's main exhibition hall would be named after him.

The

National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences
presented Ertegun with the first "President's Merit Award Salute To Industry Icons". He was also a recipient of The International Center in New York's Award of Excellence.

Ertegun is interviewed on screen in the 2005 documentary film Make It Funky!, which presents a history of New Orleans music and its influence on rhythm and blues, rock and roll, funk and jazz.[18][19]

Ertegun approved the recording and release of Music of the Whirling Dervishes, featuring ayin singer Kâni Karaca and ney player Akagündüz Kutbay on the Atlantic label.

Philanthropy

In addition to being a seminal figure in the history of popular music, Ertegun was also a prominent philanthropist dedicated to enhancing relations and cultural understanding between the United States and his native country, Turkey. As the chairman of The American Turkish Society, he introduced numerous American dignitaries, business leaders, investors, and artists to Turkey and garnered U.S. support for Turkey. Following the devastating earthquake near Istanbul in 1999, Ertegun was instrumental in the success of the Society's Earthquake Relief Fund, which raised over $4 million for Turkey's rebuilding efforts, particularly in education.[20]

In addition to his endeavors at The American Turkish Society, Ertegun funded the Turkish studies departments at Princeton and Georgetown universities. In 2008, the Ahmet Ertegun Memorial Scholarship, established by the American Turkish Society, was officially announced and designated for music students of Turkish descent to study at the Juilliard School.[21]

2006 injury and death

On October 29, 2006, Ertegun tripped, striking his head on a concrete floor during a Rolling Stones concert at the Beacon Theatre. He was immediately taken to hospital.[22] Ertegun fell into a coma and died on December 14, 2006, at Weill Cornell Medical Center.[23][24]

Ertegun was buried December 18 in the Garden of Sufi Tekke, Özbekler Tekkesi in

Sultantepe, Üsküdar, Istanbul next to his brother, his father and his sheikh great-grandfather Şeyh İbrahim Edhem Efendi, who was once the head of the tekke
in his native Turkey.

Memorial events

A memorial service for Ertegun was held in New York on April 17, 2007. A large part of the evening was given over to musical performances. Wynton Marsalis opened the tribute with the jazz standard "Didn't He Ramble", Eric Clapton and Dr. John performed "Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee", and other performers included Solomon Burke, Ben E. King, Sam Moore, Stevie Nicks, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and Phil Collins.[25]

Another informal salute to him took place in Los Angeles on July 31, 2007, the anniversary of his birth. The tribute took place at

Mike Stoller, Keith Emerson, Peter Asher, Spencer Davis, the film's producer (and longtime friend) Phil Carson, Taylor Hackford, and event producer Martin Lewis.[27]

The Martin Scorsese film Shine a Light, about The Rolling Stones' concert at the Beacon Theatre in New York at which Ertegun sustained the injury that ultimately ended his life, contains a dedication to Ertegun. Andrea Corr's solo album Ten Feet High is also dedicated "To the memory of Ahmet Ertegun".

In honor of the barriers the Ertegun brothers broke during their time in segregated Washington, the Turkish Ambassador to the U.S.,

Namik Tan, hosted a series of jazz concerts at the historical residence on Sheridan Circle in Washington, D.C. The "Ertegun Jazz Series," in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center
, reviving the brothers' legacy of bridging cultures and bringing people together with one common objective: celebrating music. In that same spirit, Ambassador Tan opened the doors of his home to residents of D.C. from various backgrounds – Members of Congress, Administration officials, academia, the media, business leaders, and others.

Tribute concert

Main article: Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert

Led Zeppelin reunited for a one-off show in a tribute to Ertegun at The O2 Arena in London on December 10, 2007. It remains one of only four times the band's surviving members have reunited since drummer John Bonham's death in 1980; the other three being the 1985 Live Aid concert, the 1988 Atlantic Records 40th anniversary concert (which Ertegun attended) and their 1995 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It remains their only full concert since their official break-up in 1980.

The band headlined a bill that also included Paolo Nutini, Mick Jones of Foreigner and Bill Wyman's Rhythm Kings who supported their acts, and additionally shared the stage with them. The show was held to raise money for the Ahmet Ertegun Education Fund, which pays for university scholarships in the UK, US and Turkey. The show had been scheduled for late November but was postponed by two weeks because Jimmy Page fractured a finger.

Art collection

Ertegun's collection of

Oscar Bluemner, Thomas Hart Benton, Stuart Davis, Werner Drewes, John Ferren, Ilya Bolotowsky, and Albert Swinden; Ertegun's alma mater, St. John's College, presented an exhibition of works from this collection in 2015.[28]

In popular culture

Ertegun has been represented several times in popular culture. In

biopic of Ray Charles, he is portrayed by Curtis Armstrong. In Beyond the Sea, the biopic about Bobby Darin, he is played by Tayfun Bademsoy
.

Musician Frank Zappa named his son Ahmet after Ertegun, who played an important role in Zappa's early career.[citation needed] Ertegun is also briefly mentioned in Zappa's film 200 Motels.

Controversies

Views on the Armenian Genocide

Musician

Armenian Genocide in line with the official policy of Turkey, Ertegun's home country.[29]

In December 2006 (shortly after Ertegun's death),

The Huffington Post,[30] published an op-ed in which he claims that he had talked personally with Ertegun some time before his death, and that Ertegun did acknowledge the Armenian Genocide,[30] and he even wished to speak publicly about it;[30] according to Sassounian, Ertegun "firmly believed that once Ankara put the issue of the Genocide behind it, the country would attain the respect of the international community and would not waste its efforts and resources to counter Armenian efforts for Genocide recognition".[30] The writer ends his piece by explaining: "I could not write this column while he [Ertegun] was alive, since I did not want him to become the target of hate mails and threats from Turkish extremists by alerting them that he was considering the possibility of issuing a public statement on the Armenian Genocide. Alas, he passed away without being able to do so, which is a great loss for both Armenians and Turks. I hasten to add that it is a greater loss for Turkey. Ertegun believed that by acknowledging the Genocide, Turkey would earn many political dividends and lose practically nothing!"[30]

2017 sexual harassment/assault allegation

In 2017, Dorothy Carvello alleged that Ertegun tried to remove her underwear and groped her under her shirt at a public event in 1987. Her book Anything for a Hit tells of her experiences.[31]

References

  1. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum
    . Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  2. ^ "The American Turkish Society". The American Turkish Society. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  3. ^ Hoover, Gary (May 20, 2021). "Ahmet Ertegun: America's Greatest Music Man".
  4. Saudi Aramco World (November/December 2013 ed.). Archived from the original
    on February 15, 2015. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  5. ^ Weiner, Tim (December 15, 2006). "Ahmet Ertegun, Music Executive, Dies at 83". The New York Times. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  6. ^ "Turkish Embassy in Washington, D.C". Vasington.be.mfa.gov.tr. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  7. ^ a b Greenfield, Robert (January 25, 2007). "Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun signed everyone from Ray Charles to the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  8. ^ Jackson, Maurice (November 1, 2013). "Maurice Jackson: Remembering the Turkish brothers who helped change race relations in America". Thehill.com. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  9. ^ Simons, Dave (December 20, 2006). "Remembering Ahmet Ertegun and Atlantic's Early Years". BMI. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  10. ^ "Ahmet Ertegun: America's Greatest Music Man". May 26, 2021.
  11. ^ "Ahmet Ertegun". Telegraph. December 18, 2006. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  12. ^ a b Greenberg, Robert (2012). The Last Sultan: The Life and Times of Ahmet Ertegun. Simon & Schuster.: 78–82 
  13. ^ Brown, Mick (February 29, 2012). "Mica Ertegun: 'Should I buy diamonds instead?'". Telegraph. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  14. ^ King, Tom (2001). The Operator: David Geffen Builds, Buys, and Sells the New Hollywood. New York: Broadway Books. p. 110.
  15. ISBN 0-393-02635-3
    .
  16. ^ "Atlantic Records; The House That Ahmet Built" Rhino DVD, 2007.
  17. American Academy of Achievement
    .
  18. ProQuest 1370090
    .
  19. OCLC 61207781
    . 11952.
  20. ^ "Philanthropist And Prominent Liaison Between The U.S. And Turkey Dies At 83". Z2systems.com. December 15, 2006. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  21. ^ "Scholarship Created to Honor Ahmet Ertegun". May 2008. Archived from the original on October 25, 2014.
  22. ^ "Ahmet Ertegun has serious head injury". UPI. November 5, 2006. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  23. ^ "Music world legend Ahmet Ertegun on life-support in NYC". Hürriyet. December 7, 2006. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  24. ^ "Music pioneer Ahmet Ertegun dies at 83". Trend.Az. December 15, 2006. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
  25. ^ "Wynton played at Ahmet Ertegun memorial tribute". Wynton Marsalis official website. April 22, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  26. ^ "Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built". American Masters. May 2, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  27. ^ "Atlantic Records: The House that Ahmet Built". Archived from the original on July 13, 2007. Retrieved October 16, 2018.
  28. ^ Notice from St. John's College about exhibit, March 11-April 19, 2015.
  29. ^ "SERJ TANKIAN Tells JIMMY PAGE Man Who Signed LED ZEPPELIN Gave His Philanthropic Support to Denial of Armenian Genocide". December 11, 2021.
  30. ^ a b c d e f Ahmet Ertegun Knew What Was Good For Turkey: Genocide Recognition, by Harut Sassounian 12-27-2006, HuffPost
  31. ^ Carvello, Dorothy (October 17, 2017). "Former Music Executive: 'We Must Come Forward and Name Our Abusers' (Guest Column)". Retrieved October 16, 2018.

External links

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