Jerry Wexler, Visionary Music Producer, Passes Away at 91

NEW YORK, NY–(EMWNews – August 15, 2008) – Jerry Wexler, one of the prime architects of

Atlantic Records

— as a visionary producer as well as a senior executive — passed away

early today at his home in Florida at the age of 91.

A passionate jazz fan and record collector, Jerry Wexler joined Atlantic in

1953, six years after the company’s formation. He had previously been a

writer at Billboard — where he coined the term “Rhythm and Blues” for the

genre then known as “Race Music.” Hired by co-founder Ahmet Ertegun,

Wexler entered Atlantic as a partner, remaining as an executive until 1975,

when he left his post as Vice Chairman to focus on producing and writing.

Together with Ertegun, Wexler revolutionized R&B music and the music

business itself in the ’50s and ’60s. A true renaissance man, Jerry

brought a rare combination of creativity, intelligence, wit, artistic

sensibility, and business savvy to the evolution of Atlantic from a small

independent label into a major industry force. He understood music and

musicians in a way few label executives did, and was able to inspire them

to do their best and most original work.

In his early days at Atlantic, Wexler worked alongside Ertegun to produce

groundbreaking records by such artists as Ray Charles, LaVern Baker, Clyde

McPhatter and the Drifters, Big Joe Turner, and Ruth Brown. He

subsequently produced such soul stars as Aretha Franklin — whom he

personally signed to the label — Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett, Sam &

Dave, King Curtis, Donny Hathaway, and many others. Wexler pioneered

Atlantic’s move into Southern Soul music and forged the hugely successful

partnership with the Memphis-based Stax Records — the home of Otis Redding

— and the label’s rhythm section (comprised primarily of the members of

Booker T. & The MG’s). He went on to produce landmark records at Fame

Studios in Muscle Shoals and Criteria Studios in Miami.

Along with Ertegun, Wexler was instrumental in signing Led Zeppelin to

Atlantic, and he brought in the Allman Brothers by helping their manager,

Phil Walden, set up Capricorn Records. Numerous other Atlantic artists

benefited from Jerry’s guidance and inspiration, and he produced classic

records by Dusty Springfield, Esther Phillips, Willie Nelson, Dr. John, and

many more. Wexler was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in

1987.

In describing his producing style, Wexler once noted that he was “the guy

in the middle who is neither an engineer nor a musician, but an ear to hear

what is happening and reshape it… the role becomes one of director. You

keep it rolling; you know the choices that must be made. In my analysis,

the final determination is that if you can’t go out and change the music,

you aren’t a producer. You are merely presiding at a happening.”

The history of Atlantic Records and of the sound of contemporary music

would be very different without the impact that Jerry’s great ears, uncanny

intuition, and true genius had on countless artists and their music. He

will be deeply missed by those who knew him and, more importantly, by the

millions who — knowingly or unknowingly — have heard his phenomenal body

of work. He remains inspiration to all of us as we strive to build on

Atlantic’s legacy in the 21st Century.

Our condolences go out to Jerry’s family and friends during this sad and

difficult time.