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Actions	Details Remove from selection Add to selection Reference Number ARC-0014 Level of description collection Title Ahmet Ertegun Papers Date 1920-2007, undated Size 39.43 (Linear feet) Scope and Contents The Ahmet Ertegun Papers span the years 1920 to 2007, including undated materials, with the bulk of the material dating between 1970 and 2000. The collection is approximately 90 linear feet and consists of Ertegun's address, appointment, and pass books; awards; events and travel files; biographical and educational information; clippings; correspondence; materials related to Ertegun's death; family materials; legal documents; notes; photographs; audio and video recordings. The collection primarily documents the personal lives of Ahmet and Mica Ertegun, with some documentation of Atlantic Records, most significantly in the 1990s. There are some earlier Atlantic materials where Herb Abramson, Nesuhi Ertegun, and Jerry Wexler are featured. Mica Ertegun's rise as a prominent interior designer can also be traced through the appointment books and correspondence. Biography / Administrative History One of the most significant figures in the modern recording industry, Ahmet Ertegun co-founded Atlantic Records in 1947 with partner Herb Abramson. Atlantic was at the forefront of great independent labels that sprang up in the late Forties, challenging the primacy of the major labels of the time (RCA, Columbia and Decca) by discovering, developing and nurturing new talent. Under the guiding hand of Ertegun, Atlantic became a premier rhythm & blues label in a few short years. The label's artist roster in the Fifties included: Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, Ray Charles, LaVern Baker, the Drifters, the Coasters, the Clovers, and many more. During this period, Ertegun produced or co-produced the vast majority of records released on Atlantic. Though he was less directly involved as a producer, Ertegun continued his work with Atlantic in the 1960s and 1970s as the company ventured into realms of soul and rock, from Aretha Franklin to Led Zeppelin, with much success. Along with Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone Magazine, Ertegun co-founded the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. He continued to be a major player in the music business and served as chairman of Atlantic Records until his death in 2006. Notes Acquisition Note: The Ahmet Ertegun Papers were received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc., as gifts from Ahmet and Mica Ertegun between 1994-2008. Processing Information: Processed by Jennie Thomas, Director of Archives; Anastasia Karel, Archivist and Assistant Curator; Rachel Somerville, Project Archivist; Linda Porter Coontz, Elaine Minch, Patty Nagel, and Gretchen Unico, Volunteers. Last updated December 21, 2018. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local Style Guide. Citation: [Identification of item], Ahmet Ertegun Papers, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Language Note: Collection is primarily in English; materials in French and Turkish are indicated at the series level. Separated Materials: LPs and books have been transferred to the library collection. Please search for the "Ahmet Ertegun Collection" in the library catalog for a list of donated titles. Some items are on exhibit. These items are noted at the file level. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, consult the Library and Archives staff to ensure these materials are available. Access This collection is currently in process. Portions of the collection will be opened for research as they come available. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. Select original documents are closed. These items are noted at the file level. Patrons must use digital or physical facsimiles of originals. Consult the Library and Archives in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available. Available as of November 8, 2018: Series I: Correspondence, Series II: Personal Appointment Books, Series III: Travel Materials, and Series IV: Clippings and Press. Partially available as of November 8, 2018: Series V: Photographs, Series VI: Awards, Events, and Programs, and Series VII: Business Use The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives. Associated Subjects Hierarchy browser Ahmet Ertegun Papers collection contains 11 parts

Reference Number
ARC-0014
Level of description
collection
Title
Ahmet Ertegun Papers
Date
1920-2007, undated
Size
39.43 (Linear feet)
Scope and Contents
The Ahmet Ertegun Papers span the years 1920 to 2007, including undated materials, with the bulk of the material dating between 1970 and 2000. The collection is approximately 90 linear feet and consists of Ertegun's address, appointment, and pass books; awards; events and travel files; biographical and educational information; clippings; correspondence; materials related to Ertegun's death; family materials; legal documents; notes; photographs; audio and video recordings. The collection primarily documents the personal lives of Ahmet and Mica Ertegun, with some documentation of Atlantic Records, most significantly in the 1990s. There are some earlier Atlantic materials where Herb Abramson, Nesuhi Ertegun, and Jerry Wexler are featured. Mica Ertegun's rise as a prominent interior designer can also be traced through the appointment books and correspondence.
Biography / Administrative History
One of the most significant figures in the modern recording industry, Ahmet Ertegun co-founded Atlantic Records in 1947 with partner Herb Abramson. Atlantic was at the forefront of great independent labels that sprang up in the late Forties, challenging the primacy of the major labels of the time (RCA, Columbia and Decca) by discovering, developing and nurturing new talent. Under the guiding hand of Ertegun, Atlantic became a premier rhythm & blues label in a few short years. The label's artist roster in the Fifties included: Ruth Brown, Big Joe Turner, Ray Charles, LaVern Baker, the Drifters, the Coasters, the Clovers, and many more. During this period, Ertegun produced or co-produced the vast majority of records released on Atlantic. Though he was less directly involved as a producer, Ertegun continued his work with Atlantic in the 1960s and 1970s as the company ventured into realms of soul and rock, from Aretha Franklin to Led Zeppelin, with much success. Along with Jann Wenner of Rolling Stone Magazine, Ertegun co-founded the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. He continued to be a major player in the music business and served as chairman of Atlantic Records until his death in 2006.
Notes
Acquisition Note: The Ahmet Ertegun Papers were received by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc., as gifts from Ahmet and Mica Ertegun between 1994-2008.

Processing Information: Processed by Jennie Thomas, Director of Archives; Anastasia Karel, Archivist and Assistant Curator; Rachel Somerville, Project Archivist; Linda Porter Coontz, Elaine Minch, Patty Nagel, and Gretchen Unico, Volunteers. Last updated December 21, 2018. Descriptive sources and standards used to create this inventory: DACS and local Style Guide.

Citation: [Identification of item], Ahmet Ertegun Papers, Library and Archives, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum.

Language Note: Collection is primarily in English; materials in French and Turkish are indicated at the series level.

Separated Materials: LPs and books have been transferred to the library collection. Please search for the "Ahmet Ertegun Collection" in the library catalog for a list of donated titles. Some items are on exhibit. These items are noted at the file level. If you are unable to find what you are looking for, consult the Library and Archives staff to ensure these materials are available.
Access
This collection is currently in process. Portions of the collection will be opened for research as they come available. Patrons must sign the Acknowledgment of Legal Responsibilities and Privacy Rights statement on the Researcher Registration form before using this collection. Select original documents are closed. These items are noted at the file level. Patrons must use digital or physical facsimiles of originals. Consult the Library and Archives in advance of your visit to ensure access to these materials is available. Available as of November 8, 2018: Series I: Correspondence, Series II: Personal Appointment Books, Series III: Travel Materials, and Series IV: Clippings and Press. Partially available as of November 8, 2018: Series V: Photographs, Series VI: Awards, Events, and Programs, and Series VII: Business
Use
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, Inc. For more information, please consult the staff of the Library and Archives.
Associated Subjects