Ahmet Ertegun - Founder of Atlantic Records
Ahmet Ertegun -- Founder of Atlantic Records -- passed away in 2006.
Ertegun was more than just a giant in the record business.
Ahmet Ertegun had a very long list of accomplishments, among which includes his instrumental role in forming Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Ertegun signed to the Atlantic label some of the best music for over 60 years. Ray Charles. Ruth Brown. Aretha Franklin. The Coasters. Otis Redding. Wilson Pickett. Buffalo Springfield. Crosby, Stills and Nash. Neil Young. Coltrane. Cream. Yes. Zeppelin. The Rascals. The Bee Gee’s. Bette Midler. Blind Faith.
From Neil Young's tribute to Ahmet Ertegun:
When Stephen asked me to join Crosby, Stills and Nash, I didn't know it was Ahmet who was behind it.
One of the things he liked about the Springfield was Stephen and me -- what happened when we played guitars together. Even though we fought like brothers, we played like brothers, and Ahmet saw that we could keep on going.
To Ahmet, that was a no-brainer.
For our long time followers of Thrasher's Wheat, you'll recall our partnership with WBKM.org and DJ Host Tony Gallucci in Burlington, VT. We hosted a regular radio program for awhile and made a truly epic trip together to Europe for the Neil Young w/ Crazy Horse Europe 2013 Alchemy Tour.
Each Sunday night for many, many years, Tony has hosted Ahmet's House on WBKM.org which showcases the great music brought to light by this musical visionary. It is a labor of love, as Ahmet's dedication and passion has inspired WBKM to treat the music, the legacy and the man's memory right.
Tony Gallucci founded Ahmet's House in order to honor the legacy of Ahmet Ertegun and the music he made possible.
Last year, after the devastating earthquake in Turkey, Thrasher's Wheat and WBKM.org partnered up on Operation BlanketAid. Operation BlanketAid obtained a quantity of blankets which we delivered to the Turkish Embassy in Washington, DC. From there, the blankets -- along with many tons of donated aid -- were airlifted to the earthquake rescue zone in Turkey.
Now we bring you the news that Tony has finally made his pilgrimage to Istanbul, Turkey to pay his respects to the man -- Ahmet Ertegun.
To learn more about Tony's journey and the Ahmet's House mission, visit @ https://www.ahmetshouse.org/
Why? Well, as we used to say when we signed off each week on the Thrasher's Wheat Radio Hour, "Cause I Feel Like I Owe It...to Someone!"
Thank you so much Thrasher for sharing this news. Yes, to go back where it all began is always an experience worth having. It’s an education of the highest sorts. Yup, the spirit of Croz was certainly with me, a year after his “days that used to be.” Peace!
ReplyDeleteYes, Tony@wbkm! SO glad you've completed the pilgrimage to pay your respects.
ReplyDeleteCroz would've been pleased certainly.
Always liked that Neil quote @ RnRHoF: "Whenever Ahmet was in the room, you got good."
Respect. Always a “four way street”. Thanks Thrasher!
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