Today in music history, 1923: American musician and businessman Ahmet Ertegun is born in Istanbul, Turkey. He was the founder and president of Atlantic Records, an independent record label that specialized in rhythm & blues, jazz, and rock & roll. Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Bette Midler all saw their recording careers under the Atlantic label. Ertegun also served as Chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and museum.
Celebrate the magnate’s life with a song by Atlantic recording artists and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees:
