Atlantic Records

Information about Atlantic Records

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Atlantic Records
Parent companyWarner Music Group
Founded1947
FounderAhmet Ertegün
Herb Abramson
Distributing labelAtlantic Records Group (US)
WEA (Outside the US)
GenreVarious
Country of originUS
Official websiteOfficial website of Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records (Atlantic Recording Corporation) is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm & blues, rock and roll, and jazz[1]. Long one of the most important American independent labels, Atlantic now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

History

The label was founded in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegün and Herb Abramson.[2][3] Upon its creation, Atlantic was principally a jazz and R&B label[2], signing Ray Charles from 1952-1959[4], though it also released some country western recordings as well. In the early fifties Ahmet was joined by Jerry Wexler[5] and then Nesuhi Ertegün[6][7]. From February 7, 1955[8] Nesuhi headed the label's jazz division and was responsible for major signings such as Charles Mingus and John Coltrane;[6] later Joel Dorn filled this position. [9] [10] Although it began as an independent record company, it became a major player in the music business in the 1960s, with mainstream pop signings like Sonny and Cher.[5] Competing record labels included Columbia Records and RCA Records.[11]

Enlarge picture
Atlantic Records Logo from 1966 to 2005
The engineer, and later producer, Tom Dowd headed Atlantic's engineering department. Several sub-labels have been created or acquired since then. Atco Records was started in 1955 by Herb Abramson. Spark Records (the record label of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller) was purchased in November 1955. Others including Lava Records[12] and 143 Records became part of the Atlantic group. In 1960, Wexler began a distribution relationship between Atlantic and Memphis-based Stax Records.[3][13][14] The association with Stax ended in 1968. Atlantic was acquired by Warner Bros.-Seven Arts in 1967. Initially, it and Atco were to be run entirely separate from WB-SA's other labels, Warner Bros. and Reprise Records.[15] One of Atlantic's major signings around this time was British rock band Led Zeppelin. The band had a deal with Atlantic Records directly from 1968-1973. After this contract ran out, they started their own vanity label, Swan Song Records. It signed a distribution deal with Atlantic after being turned down by other labels.

In 1969, WB-SA was sold to the Kinney National Company, which later became Warner Communications. After buying Elektra Records and its sister label Nonesuch Records the following year, Kinney combined the operations of all of its record labels under a new holding company, Warner-Elektra-Atlantic, or WEA for short, and also known as Warner Music Group. WEA was also used as a label for distributing the company's artists outside North America.

In May of 1988, the label held a 40th Anniversary concert, broadcast on future corporate sibling HBO. This 11-hour concert[16] featured performances by a large number of their artists and included reunions of some rock legends like Led Zeppelin and Crosby, Stills, and Nash (being David Crosby's first full band performance since being released from prison).[17]

In 1990, Warner Communications merged with Time Inc. (owners of the aforementioned HBO), forming Time Warner. That same year, Jimmy Iovine founded Interscope Records, which Atlantic owned a 50% stake in. Interscope released notable gangsta rap titles — many in conjunction with Death Row Records. Pressure from activist groups opposed to gangsta rap, however, later led to parent company Time Warner's decision to sell Atlantic's stake in the label to MCA in 1995.[18]

The label also has a number of deals with independents such as Must Destroy (which brought Goldie Lookin' Chain and The Darkness into the label)[19] and VP Records in Jamaica, home to reggae artists such as Sean Paul.[20]

In late 2003, Time Warner sold Warner Music Group to a group of investors for $2.6 billion. The deal closed in early 2004.

Craig Kallman is currently Chairman of Atlantic Records. Ahmet Ertegün served as "Founding Chairman" until his death on December 14, 2006 at age 83.[21]

In 2006, the label denied "Weird Al" Yankovic permission to release a parody of James Blunt's "You're Beautiful", claiming that it was "too early" in Blunt's career, and they didn't want Blunt to become a one-hit wonder.[22]

In 2007, the label celebrated its 60th anniversary with the May 2 PBS broadcast of the American Masters documentary Atlantic Records: The House that Ahmet Built and the simultaneous Starbucks Entertainment CD release of Atlantic 60th Anniversary: R&B Classics Chosen By Ahmet Ertegun.[23]

Artists

Main article: List of former Atlantic Records artists
Main article: List of current Atlantic Records artists

References

1. ^ [1]
2. ^ "Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun dies", MSNBC, 2006-12-14, p. 1. Retrieved on 2007-05-28.MSNBC&rft.spage=1&rft.date=2006-12-14"> 
3. ^ Sullivan, James. "Rock & Roll Founding Father Ahmet Ertegun Dies at 83", Rolling Stone, 2006-12-14. Retrieved on 2007-05-28. 
4. ^ "Ray Charles dead at 73", CNN, 2004-06-11. Retrieved on 2007-05-28.CNN&rft.date=2004-06-11"> 
5. ^ Sacks, Leo. "The Soul of Jerry Wexler", The New York Times, 1993-08-29, p. 1. Retrieved on 2007-05-28. 
6. ^ Jones, Steve. "Atlantic Records founder Ertegun dead at 83", USA Today, 2006-12-15. Retrieved on 2007-05-28. 
7. ^ Weiner, Tim. "Ahmet Ertegun, Founder of Atlantic Records, Dies", The New York Times, 2006-12-14. Retrieved on 2007-05-28. 
8. ^ "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame biography of Neshui Ertegun". Retrieved on 2007-05-28. 
9. ^ Bailey, C. Michael (September 1999). 32 Jazz: Anthropology New and Old. All About Jazz. Retrieved on 2007-07-28.
10. ^ Ankeny, Jason. Joel Dorn - Biography. All Music Guide. Retrieved on 2007-08-05.
11. ^ Corliss, Richard. "Ahmet's Atlantic: Shake, Rattle and Roll", Time, 2001-07-28. Retrieved on 2007-05-28. 
12. ^ [2]
13. ^ Kurutz, Steve. Jerry Wexler Biography. All Music Guide. All Media Guide. Retrieved on 2006-06-28.
14. ^ Leopold, Todd. "Atlantic Records: A label with soul", CNN, 2001-08-31. Retrieved on 2007-05-31. 
15. ^ [3]
16. ^ "Atlantic Records Plans An 11-Hour Concert", Associated Press, The New York Times, 1988-04-07. Retrieved on 2007-07-27. 
17. ^ Perry, Shawn (1999). The Atlantic Records 40th Anniversary Bash. VintageRock.com. Vanilla Fudge. Retrieved on 2007-07-27.
18. ^ [4]
19. ^ [5]
20. ^ [6]
21. ^ Cohen, Jonathan (December 14, 2006). Industry Icon Ahmet Ertegun Dies At 83. Billboard.
22. ^ Skaggs, Austin (2006-09-19). Weird Al Yankovic Dishes on James Blunt, Discusses His Role as the Whitest, Nerdiest Rock Star Ever (English). Rolling Stone Rock and Roll Daily. Rolling Stone. Retrieved on 2007-07-27.
23. ^ Atlantic Kicks Off 60th Anniversary Year with 2 Major Events. Atlantic Records (2007-05-01). Retrieved on 2007-07-27.

See also

External links

Warner Music Group Corporation

Public (NYSE:  WMG )
Founded 2003
Headquarters New York, NY, U.S.

Key people Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Chairman & CEO
Industry Music & Entertainment
Revenue $3.502 Billion (USD; 2006)
Net income $169.
..... Click the link for more information.
Ahmet Ertegün (July 31,1923 – December 14, 2006) was the Turkish-American co-founder and executive of Atlantic Records and chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and museum, described as "one of the most significant figures in the modern recording industry".
..... Click the link for more information.
Herbert C. Abramson (November 16,1916–November 9, 1999) was an American record company executive and producer.

Life

He was born in 1916 in Brooklyn, New York City and initially studied to be a dentist.
..... Click the link for more information.
The Atlantic Records Group

A Major record label founded in 1999, by WMG is home to artists such as Sean Combs, T.I., Saigon, Trick Daddy, Paul Wall, Webbie, Missy Elliott, Mase, Yung Joc, Boyz In Da Hood and Young Dro. The label has nearly 300 artists on the label.
..... Click the link for more information.
Warner Music Group Corporation

Public (NYSE:  WMG )
Founded 2003
Headquarters New York, NY, U.S.

Key people Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Chairman & CEO
Industry Music & Entertainment
Revenue $3.502 Billion (USD; 2006)
Net income $169.
..... Click the link for more information.
Motto
"In God We Trust"   (since 1956)
"E Pluribus Unum"   ("From Many, One"; Latin, traditional)
Anthem
..... Click the link for more information.
Motto
"In God We Trust"   (since 1956)
"E Pluribus Unum"   ("From Many, One"; Latin, traditional)
Anthem
..... Click the link for more information.
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. In everyday usage, a record label is also a company that manages such brands and trademarks; coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution,
..... Click the link for more information.
Rhythm and blues (also known as R&B or RnB) is a popular music genre combining jazz, gospel, and blues influences, first performed by African American artists.
..... Click the link for more information.
Rock 'n' Roll (short for Rock and Roll), is a genre of music that evolved in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s, and quickly spread to the rest of the world. It later spawned the various sub-genres of what is now called simply 'rock music'.
..... Click the link for more information.
Jazz is an original American musical art form that originated around the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in and around New Orleans.

Overview

Jazz has been called "America's only original art form.
..... Click the link for more information.
Warner Music Group Corporation

Public (NYSE:  WMG )
Founded 2003
Headquarters New York, NY, U.S.

Key people Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Chairman & CEO
Industry Music & Entertainment
Revenue $3.502 Billion (USD; 2006)
Net income $169.
..... Click the link for more information.
Ahmet Ertegün (July 31,1923 – December 14, 2006) was the Turkish-American co-founder and executive of Atlantic Records and chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and museum, described as "one of the most significant figures in the modern recording industry".
..... Click the link for more information.
Herbert C. Abramson (November 16,1916–November 9, 1999) was an American record company executive and producer.

Life

He was born in 1916 in Brooklyn, New York City and initially studied to be a dentist.
..... Click the link for more information.
Jazz is an original American musical art form that originated around the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in and around New Orleans.

Overview

Jazz has been called "America's only original art form.
..... Click the link for more information.
Rhythm and blues (also known as R&B or RnB) is a popular music genre combining jazz, gospel, and blues influences, first performed by African American artists.
..... Click the link for more information.
Ray Charles Robinson (September 23, 1930 – June 10, 2004) known by his stage name Ray Charles, was a pioneering American pianist and soul musician who shaped the sound of rhythm and blues.
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Country music, the first half of Billboard's country and western music category, is a blend of popular musical forms originally found in the Southern United States. It has roots in traditional folk music, Celtic music, blues, gospel music, hokum, and old-time music and
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Gerald "Jerry" Wexler (born January 10 1917) is a music journalist turned highly influential music producer, and is regarded as one of the major record industry players behind 1960s soul music. He was born in the Bronx, New York City, into a Jewish family.
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Nesuhi Ertegün (November 26, 1917 – April 15,1989), was a Turkish-American record producer and executive of Atlantic Records.

Background

Born in Istanbul, Turkey, Nesuhi and his family, including younger brother Ahmet, moved to Washington, D.C.
..... Click the link for more information.
Jazz is an original American musical art form that originated around the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in and around New Orleans.

Overview

Jazz has been called "America's only original art form.
..... Click the link for more information.
Charles Mingus (April 22 1922 – January 5 1979) was an American jazz bassist, composer, bandleader, and occasional pianist. He was also known for his activism against racial injustice.
..... Click the link for more information.
John William Coltrane (September 23 1926 – July 17 1967), nicknamed Trane, was an American jazz saxophonist and composer. Although recordings of his work from as early as 1946 exist, Coltrane's recording career did not begin in earnest until 1955.
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Joel Dorn is an American jazz and R&B music producer and record label serial entrepreneur. He worked at Atlantic Records and 32 Jazz, Label M, and Hyena Records are among the record labels he started. He calls himself "The Masked Announcer".
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In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. In everyday usage, a record label is also a company that manages such brands and trademarks; coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution,
..... Click the link for more information.
Columbia Records is the oldest surviving brand name in recorded sound, dating back to 1888, and was the first record company to produce pre-recorded records as opposed to blank cylinders. Today it is a premier subsidiary label of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc.
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Tom Dowd (October 20, 1925 - October 27, 2002) was an American recording engineer and producer for Atlantic Records. He was credited with innovating the multi-track recording method.
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