Jerry Wexler

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Gerald "Jerry" Wexler (born January 10 1917) is a music journalist turned music producer, and is regarded as one of the major record industry players behind 1960s soul music.

Early life

Wexler was born in the Bronx, New York City, into a Jewish family. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. After the war, he attended Kansas State University (where he had also been from 1936, but as a student with a desultory interest), and following graduation went to work for BMI and the publishing division of MGM.

Career

During his time as an editor, reporter, and writer for Billboard Magazine, Wexler coined the term "rhythm and blues." He became a partner in Atlantic Records in 1953. There followed classic recordings with Ray Charles, the Drifters and Ruth Brown. With Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegün, he built up Atlantic Records into a major force. In 1967 he was named Record Executive of the Year for turning Aretha Franklin's career around.

In the 1960s, he notably recorded Wilson Pickett and Aretha Franklin, and oversaw production of Dusty Springfield's highly acclaimed Dusty in Memphis album. He also cultivated a tight relationship with Stax Records, was an enormous proponent of the then-developing Muscle Shoals Sound and founded the fortunes of Muscle Shoals Sound Studios and the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section. His work in this decade put Atlantic at the forefront of soul music.

In 1968, he and Ahmet Ertegun signed Led Zeppelin to Atlantic Records on the strength of a demo tape played by the band's manager Peter Grant and what they knew of the band's guitarist, Jimmy Page from his performances with The Yardbirds.

In 1975 Wexler Left Atlantic Record for Warner Bros. Records. In 1976 Wexler produced a great record for the soulful Vocalist/Keyboardist Michael Finnigan featuring the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, but was ignored by the public due to no push and help at Warner Bros. at the time. He produced In 1979, Wexler produced Bob Dylan's controversial first "born again" album, Slow Train Coming, at Muscle Shoals; a single from that album, "Gotta Serve Somebody", would win a Grammy in 1980. In the early 1980s, Wexler would record with UK popstar George Michael. The most famous outtake of these sessions would prove to be a rare early version of "Careless Whisper" (also recorded in Muscle Shoals). The version was originally released as "Special Mix" on an early pressing of the single's 12".

Wexler has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Movie portrayal

In Ray, the biopic of Ray Charles, Jerry Wexler is portrayed by Richard Schiff, best known for his role of Toby Ziegler on the acclaimed series The West Wing.

Interviews and archive footage of Wexler are featured prominently in the 2000 documentary film Immaculate Funk, which explores the roots of the classic American R&B and soul music.

References

External links