In Memoriam: Jerry Wexler

He gave us the phrase for a music genre- rhythm and blues.

He didn't really care for rock and roll.

He signed a small British group called Led Zeppelin.

He produced records by such minor stars as Bob Dylan and Carlos Santana.

But those actually pale in comparison to the huge contribution he made to the world of music in the 50s and 60s. He was then vice-president of Atlantic Records and had an ear for what would work in R & B sounds in a way that would bring it to the white audiences and turn some musicians into superstars- Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, and Aretha Franklin- among many. The Atlantic Sound was unique and diverse and a BIG hit. I won't even begin to list the great music he helped produce and present to us all.

He died this morning at age 91.

Link to his obituary in the New York Times.