Ahmet Ertegun Quotes, born July 31, 1923, in Istanbul, Turkey, was a Turkish-American businessman, songwriter, and philanthropist, best known as the founder and president of Atlantic Records. His vision shaped modern music, discovering and championing artists like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Led Zeppelin. As chairman of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he celebrated music’s cultural impact. These 15 quotes—sourced from interviews, public statements, and writings—reflect his passion for music, cultural empathy, and the magic of creativity, capturing his vibrant and influential spirit.
15 Ahmet Ertegun Quotes
- “I think it’s better to burn out than to fade away… it’s better to live out your days being very, very active—even if it destroys you—than to quietly disappear.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Soul lyrics, soul music came at about the same time as the civil rights movement, and it’s very possible that one influenced the other.” (Interview, PictureQuotes, n.d.)
- “I’d be happy if people said that I did a little bit to raise the dignity and recognition of the greatness of African-American music.” (Interview, QuoteTab, n.d.)
- “Everyone felt like they knew Ray Charles and in a way they did, because he was embodied by his music.” (Interview, QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “The Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame will provide a center where the lives and the artistry of the greatest jazz musicians will be celebrated, and where people will come to learn about jazz, something to which my brother devoted his life’s work.” (Interview, AZQuotes, n.d.)
- “I love Ray Charles. He can still teach everybody a lot about how to make great music. Not necessarily how to make hits, but how to make great music.” (Interview, PictureQuotes, n.d.)
- “I’ve been in the studio when you go through a track and you know even before the singer starts singing, you know the track is swinging… you know you have a multimillion-seller hit—and what you’re working on suddenly has magic.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “People like Clyde McPhatter who came out of the black churches—like Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin—were all church singers who became great pop singers because gospel singing is very close to the blues.” (Interview, QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “It is a great life, this life of music.” (Interview, PictureQuotes, n.d.)
- “The songwriters whom we think of being the greatest songwriters usually write one hit and six or seven flops.” (Interview, QuoteFancy, n.d.)
- “As I grew up, I began to discover a little bit about the situation of black people in America and experienced an immediate empathy with the victims of such senseless discrimination.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “Rock n’ roll really belongs to all America. It really doesn’t belong to one city.” (Interview, BrainyQuote, n.d.)
- “I came close to signing Elvis Presley. I offered $25,000 for his contract and they asked for $45,000 and I just didn’t have the other $20,000.” (Interview, QuoteTab, n.d.)
- “There’s two kinds of music: black soul music, and the white imitation thereof.” (Interview, PictureQuotes, n.d.)
- “Fifty years from now, people will still be listening to Led Zeppelin. They won’t even remember me.” (Interview, QuoteTab, n.d.)
Ahmet Ertegun’s quotes pulse with a love for music, cultural understanding, and the thrill of discovery, inspiring fans to chase creativity and honor artistic legacies. Which one resonates with your passion for music? Drop it in the comments and keep his transformative legacy thriving!
Emma Thompson
Hi, I'm Emma Thompson, founder of MyLittleDesire. I share relationship advice, love quotes, and thoughtful gift ideas to help you express your feelings and strengthen your bonds. Let's celebrate love together!
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