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25 quotes by Ahmet Ertegun

Ahmet Ertegün /ˈɑːmɛt ˈɛrtəɡən/, Turkish pronunciation: [ahˈmet eɾteˈɟyn]; (July 31 [O.S. 18 July] 1923 – December 14, 2006) was a Turkish-American businessman, songwriter and philanthropist. He was best known as the founder and president of Atlantic Records, and for discovering and championing many leading rhythm and blues and rock musicians. He also wrote classic blues and pop songs, and served as Chairman of the Rock and Roll...
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Fifty years from now, people will still be listening to Led Zeppelin. They won't even remember me.

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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.

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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.

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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... →

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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 -... →

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I don't use the computer. But my secretary does. I want to take some computer courses because I'm interested in some of the access to some of... →

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When I first heard Ray Charles, he was a flop artist on a small label in California. He hadn't sold any records. And I bought his contract for... →

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I've been in the studio when you go through a track and you run down a track and you know even before the singer starts singing, you know the... →

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The songwriters whom we think of being the greatest songwriters usually write one hit and six or seven flops. That includes the Irving Berlins and... →

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Flashy people aren't everything, you know. Even when they have frizzled hair.

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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.

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There is a certain sort of excess that is interesting, don't you think? And America is, of course, the most excessive place.

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You know what I'd really like to do? I'd like to record some white Chicago jazz.

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