Atlantic Co-Founder Ahmet Ertegun In Coma

[billy007]

from www.billboard.com:

December 12, 2006, 4:35 PM ET

Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun is in a coma after injuring his brain in a fall, his doctor said yesterday (Dec. 11). Dr. Howard Riina, his neurosurgeon, told Reuters in a telephone interview that the music industry legend "sustained a severe brain injury after a fall. He's in a deep coma and in critical condition. His chance of a meaningful recovery is small."

Riina said Ertegun, 83, was on life support in a neurological intensive care unit at Weill Cornell Medical Center. Asked when a decision might be made about continuing to provide life support to Ertegun, Riina said, "It's not clear at this point. He remains critically ill. He's still very sick."

Atlantic Records said Ertegun fell on Oct. 29 while attending a Rolling Stones concert at New York's Beacon Theatre and was hospitalized with a head injury.

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 Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, saxophonist John Coltrane and Led Zeppelin became stars.

[onefootoutthedoor]

from www.billboard.com:

December 12, 2006, 4:35 PM ET

Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun is in a coma after injuring his brain in a fall, his doctor said yesterday (Dec. 11). Dr. Howard Riina, his neurosurgeon, told Reuters in a telephone interview that the music industry legend "sustained a severe brain injury after a fall. He's in a deep coma and in critical condition. His chance of a meaningful recovery is small."

Riina said Ertegun, 83, was on life support in a neurological intensive care unit at Weill Cornell Medical Center. Asked when a decision might be made about continuing to provide life support to Ertegun, Riina said, "It's not clear at this point. He remains critically ill. He's still very sick."

Atlantic Records said Ertegun fell on Oct. 29 while attending a Rolling Stones concert at New York's Beacon Theatre and was hospitalized with a head injury.

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 Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, saxophonist John Coltrane and Led Zeppelin became stars.

Jeez, what a way to go. Of all places, a Rolling Stones concert would be the last place I would see myself dying (unless they performed at Altamont again)

[Apocalypso]

Man, probably getting fatally injured at 83 at a Rolling Stones show.

The guy stayed young even as he grew old, that's for sure.

T.B.

[chefcraig]

Shit. This fellow has made more of a contribution to music as a non-performer than any 1000 of today's "performing artists".

I wish him well.

[hatchetforce]

Ahmet is a Legend. Best Wishes.

Ahmet (center) with Cream:

[edwardv]

ahmet rocks....my prayers to you brother...started in a nyc basement i think

[twonabomber]

that's one brilliant guy. sad to hear this.

[hatchetforce]

Music Pioneer Ahmet Ertegun Dead At 83

NEW YORK, Dec. 14, 2006 (AP) Ahmet Ertegun, who helped define American music as the founder of Atlantic Records, a label that popularized the gritty R&B of Ray Charles, the classic soul of Aretha Franklin and the British rock of the Rolling Stones, died Thursday. He was 83.

Ertegun remained connected to the music scene until his last days — it was at a concert by the Rolling Stones at the Beacon Theatre in New York where Ertegun fell. He later slipped into a coma and spend weeks in the hospital.

"He was in a coma and expired today with his family at his bedside," said Dr. Howard A. Riina, Ertegun's neurosurgeon at New York Presbyterian Hospital, Weill Cornell Medical Center.

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.

Story continues:
http://www.showbuzz.cbsnews.com/stor...n2269452.shtml

[FORD]

Even at the age of 83, his last conscious moments on this planet were spent enjoying the music that he helped bring to the world.

Gotta respect the Hell out of a guy like that. Rock on, Ahmet!

[hatchetforce]

Watched "Atlantic Records: The House the Ahmet Built" on PBS's American Masters

Jagger talking to Ahmet about Peter Grant offering him coke "would you like some, I have 3 varieties".

well worth a watch

[emm5150]

Watched "Atlantic Records: The House the Ahmet Built" on PBS's American Masters

Jagger talking to Ahmet about Peter Grant offering him coke "would you like some, I have 3 varieties".

well worth a watch

I saw that the other night, what a awesome show, very very interesting!!! I love the story about how he found Clapton.

[mistere]

Ahmet's in a coma? Whoah. There's nothing that guy can't do. Not exactly Lazarus but let's see you try it.
Only Ahmet. Only Ahmet.

[onefootoutthedoor]

Ahmet's in a coma? Whoah. There's nothing that guy can't do. Not exactly Lazarus but let's see you try it.
Only Ahmet. Only Ahmet.

Check the date of the start of the thread. He actually passed in the middle of December...

[mistere]

You don't say...