Jerry Wexler, RIP
Jerry Wexler, Produced Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Dies at 91
Aug. 15 (Bloomberg) – Jerry Wexler, the feisty Atlantic Records executive who coined the term “rhythm and blues’’ and produced some of the standout recordings by Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett, has died. He was 91.
Wexler, who suffered from congenital heart disease, died this morning at his home in Sarasota, Florida, the Associated Press reported.
Along with Sam Phillips of Sun Records, Wexler helped define the role of the modern record producer. He oversaw Charles’s rollicking classic What'd I Say'' in 1959 and recorded Bob Dylan's first Grammy Award-winning song,Gotta Serve Somebody,’’ two decades later. </em>
The work he did was remarkable, literally changed pop culture. Everyone owns some of this mans magical music- and if you don’t, what the hell is wrong with you?
