ROLLING STONES - MUSIC MOGUL ERTEGUN DEAD AT 83

MUSIC MOGUL ERTEGUN DEAD AT 83

Music mogul AHMET ERTEGUN died in a New York hospital yesterday (14DEC06). He was 83. The founding chairman of Atlantic Records never recovered after sustaining a head injury in a fall backstage at a ROLLING STONES concert at the Beacon Theatre in New York City on 29 October (06). His neurosurgeon, DR HOWARD A RIINA, says, "Mr Ertegun suffered a severe brain injury after he fell in October. He was in a coma and passed away with his family at his bedside." The Turkish-born Ertegun founded Atlantic with his brother NESUHI, HERB ABRAMSON and producer TOM DOWD in the late 1940s with a view to record the sounds of black America. Ertegun quickly became the shining talent of the new label, doubling as a songwriter and issuing a number of singles himself. He's also responsible for launching the careers of soul greats RAY CHARLES and ARETHA FRANKLIN. Ertegun will be buried in a private ceremony in his native Turkey. A memorial service will be conducted in New York in the New Year (07).