Ahmet Ertegun: Atlantic Records Co-Founder Dies at 83

Ahmet Ertegun was a Turkish-American record executive who co-founded Atlantic Records. Born on July 31, 1923, in Istanbul, he moved to Washington, D.C., when his father became Turkish ambassador.

He founded Atlantic in 1947 with Herb Abramson and signed Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Cream, and Crosby, Stills and Nash. He also wrote hit songs such as "Mess Around" under the name A. Nugetre. He helped found the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Ertegun suffered a head injury in a fall backstage at a Rolling Stones concert in New York on October 29, 2006, and slipped into a coma. He died on December 14, 2006, at age 83.

Achievements: Co-founder of Atlantic Records, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987).

Birth: July 31, 1923 - Istanbul, Turkey.

Profession: Record executive.

Interesting Facts: He was a founder of the Hall of Fame and its longtime chair.