Ertegun, Atlantic Records founder, dies

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NEW YORK (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, his spokesman said. He was 83. Ertegun, a Turkish ambassador's son, remained connected to the music scene until his last days -- it was at an October 29 concert by the Rolling Stones at the Beacon Theatre in New York where Ertegun fell, suffered a head injury and was hospitalized. He later slipped into a coma. "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, said Bob Kaus, a spokesman for Ertegun and Atlantic Records. A memorial service will be conducted in New York after New Year's. Ertegun started collecting records for fun, but would later became one of the music industry's most powerful figures with Atlantic, which he founded in 1947. The label first made its name with rhythm and blues by Charles and Big Joe Turner. It later diversified, making Franklin the "Queen of Soul" as well as carrying the banner of British rock -- with the Rolling Stones, Cream, Led Zeppelin -- and American pop -- with Sonny and Cher, Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, and others. Today, the company, part of Warner Music Group, is the home to artists including Kid Rock, James Blunt, T.I., and Missy Elliott.