'The House that Ahmet Ertegun Built' tonight on 'American Masters' PBS

[Philosoraptor]

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/database/atlantic_stub.html

Ahmet Ertegun, a young Turk - literally - with an immigrant's passion for the African-

American music he heard in the rigidly segregated Washington, D.C. nightclubs of the 1940s, recognized that "all popular music stems from black music, be it jazz or rock n' roll or rap." He exported these unique sounds to England, where they merged with the European sensibility, and then imported that fusion back across the ocean. "The Atlantic Sound," which sprang from the small record label Ertegun co-founded in 1947, was a revolutionary new genre, single-handedly influencing the future direction of contemporary music. Ertegun wrote music, produced music, defined careers and changed lives. "He found Ray Charles, he introduced Eric Clapton to Aretha Franklin, he fell asleep on Mick Jagger," says Rolling Stone founder Jann Wenner in AMERICAN MASTERS Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built.

For the last half-century, Ahmet Ertegun was hip-deep in R&B and rock and roll. Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built follows Ertegun's remarkable career and its impact on the evolution of the world's most popular musical genre while offering an insider's look at the recording industry, from its infancy to today. The two-hour film, produced by Thirteen/WNET New York and Warner Music Group, premieres Wednesday, May 2 at 9 p.m. (ET) on PBS. The House That Ahmet Built features rare, private and classic clips, performances and studio sessions of Atlantic recording artists. The film is narrated by award-winning singer/actress Bette Midler.

[Lobster Martini]

1. Thanks for the tip

By coincidence, I happened to be listening to Atlantic Rhythm and Blues 1947-1974, with the Coasters, Booker T. and the MG's, Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett, Professor Longhair, Ray Charles--eight CDs of really cool stuff. That should be a terrific program. Weird decision to have Bette Midler narrate it, though.

[Philosoraptor]

2. I gotta git them records, er, 8 trax, er uh, cassettes, I mean discs.

All my faves! I'd like to see a retrospective of Chess Records someday too. I truly dig 'Standing in the Shadow of Motown' about the Funk Bros.

[KharmaTrain]

4. Chess Has A Museum

The original Chess Studios at 2425 So. Michigan in Chicago...that was where Chuck Berry, Junior Wells, Muddy Water and the Rolling Stones laid down classics. They used to own two radio stations in Chicago and I had the great privilidge of working with some of these people and having met both Terry and Phil Chess. IRC, Terry is still alive and every so often is spotted at a blues club.

[Laughing Mirror]

6. Bette Midler recorded for Atlantic

Maybe that's why.

[Lobster Martini]

7. True, and we like Bette Midler

We like Bette, but her records are just not the first we associate with Atlantic. We have no doubt that we will love the program.

[Laughing Mirror]

8. Well, she's no Aretha, that's for sure

But she hasn't been seen around much these past years, Bette, so she might be out of work and she needed the gig.

Come to think of it, haven't heard much from Aretha either. Maybe she's singing in church.

[Ishoutandscream2]

11. That's some damn good stuff

Everyone talks Motown, but give me Atlantic and Stax/Volt anytime.

[KharmaTrain]

3. The Atlantic Years...Ahmet Was A Real Innovator

This will be a real trip into the roots of all types of music with a man who was visionary and willing to take chances. He broke racial, sexual and cultural barriers while enabling many great artists to do their finest work.

[La_Fourmi_Rouge]

5. A giant of the trade.

This should be one hell of a great show.

[Philosoraptor]

9. !!!!!!!!!!

[GCP]

10. That's a must-see

I have huge respect for what he did for the music industry - he was a giant

[Philosoraptor]

12. Tell me what I say