Jerry Wexler died today at his home in Florida, aged 91.
The record producer and former music journalist, who coined the term "rhythm and blues" (to replace "race records") while working for Billboard magazine, had a huge hand in shaping the music we listen to, especially with his productions of Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Santana, Dire Straits, Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Willie Nelson, the Coasters, the Drifters, Linda Rondstadt, Dusty Springfield and even George Michael.
He also signed Led Zeppelin to Atlantic Records.
When asked what he wanted on his tombstone, he reportedly said, "More bass."
Here are a few of the artists associated with him. Not sure if he was the producer on ALL of these, but certainly, he was on some ("Respect," for instance, and on an early version of "Careless Whispers") and his style infused all of them:
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About Me
- David Watts Barton
- Former Sacramento Bee critic, columnist and feature writer, Barton has gone indie, scouring The Grid for fun and good stories on his furry bike. Say hi!
1 comment:
Definitely one of the giants of the industry. Wish there were more of him around.
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