[5], Although Leiber and Stoller wrote many popular songs for Atlantic, their relationship with the label was deteriorating in 1962. [31] He moved to Germany, where he served in the Army Dental Corps,[30] although he retained his post as president of Atlantic on full pay. He was named Atlantic Senior Vice President of A&R in 2020. In 1961, he left the label, returned to Los Angeles, and founded Philles Records with Lester Sill. The demo tapes of the songs that eventually became their debut album (including the song "Feels Like The First Time") were famously rejected by almost every major label, including Atlantic although their tenacious manager Bud Prager later revealed that, in retaliation for a previous bad deal, he deliberately didn't approach CBS ("They had screwed me out of a lot of money, so I figured I would screw them out of Foreigner. 1994 - Greenberg is elected to the Board of Directors of Westwood One, the world's #1 supplier of talk, sports, radio, news, and shows all over the world. All Rights Reserved. He was credited with improving the production, packaging, and originality of Atlantic's LPs. WEA was also used as a label for distributing the company's artists outside North America. 1969 - When Atlantic's parent company, Warner Bros-Seven Arts was sold to Kinney Services (Predecessor to Warner Communications in 1969, Greenberg was announced General Manager of Atlantic Records. [65] Atlantic continues to hold the rights to Stax recordings it distributed in the 1960s. Ganis began her career as an assistant at Polydor Records and quickly became the first female on the companys national promotion staff. [15], In late 1947, James Petrillo, head of the American Federation of Musicians, announced an indefinite ban on all recording activities by union musicians, and this came into effect on January 1, 1948. Harry Anger and Arnie Geller mentored me during my Polydor days, but ultimately it was Doug Morris who really taught me the business, she says of the longtime Atlantic president who became the only person to be CEO of all three major label groups. By this time creative tensions within The Hollies were coming to a head, and Nash had already decided to leave the group. Big Joe Turner's April 1954 song "Shake, Rattle and Roll" was a No. Its position was greatly improved by its distribution deal with Stax. According to Greenberg, Ertegun had long seen the UK as a source of untapped talent. 1980 - Jerry Greenberg becomes a consultant to Atlantic while forming his own label with his brother, Bob Greenberg, called Mirage Music; Jerry remained on the East Coast, Bob on the West Coast. 1, Pop No. Yes signed with Atlantic in 1969, around the same time Squire was breaking in with the label that would name him president by 1974, making him (at 32) the youngest to pull off the feat. By Murray Stassen. They had hits with "Chapel of Love" by The Dixie Cups and "Leader of the Pack" by The Shangri-Las, but Red Bird's finances were precarious. Mar Brown, Atlantic Records' senior vice president of urban radio promotion, passed away suddenly last night due to a heart attack, a representative for the label tells Billboard. Their single "Money Honey" became the biggest R&B hit of the year. [52], Atlantic was doing so well in early 1959 that some scheduled releases were held back, and the company enjoyed two successive months of gross sales of over $1 million that summer, thanks to hits by The Coasters, The Drifters, LaVern Baker, Ray Charles, Bobby Darin, and Clyde McPhatter. The single was issued in August 1962 and became the biggest instrumental hit of the year, reaching No. He also signed a platinum rock group from England, The Escape Club, and served as executive producer of the soundtrack to the hit motion picture, Coming to America, starring Eddie Murphy. In addition to signing acts Jerry has worked with some of the greatest artists in music including, AC/DC, Aretha Franklin, Bad Company, Bee Gees, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Dr. John, Dusty Springfield, Eagles, Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Eric Clapton, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, Yes, and Michael Jackson. Wexler lost his temper and threw Geffen out of his office, but Geffen called Ahmet Ertegun the next day, and Ertegun persuaded Geffen to convince Clive Davis at Columbia to let Atlantic sign Crosby, Stills & Nash.[5]. Wexler dismissed developments in pop music, dubbing the musicians "the rockoids". Abramson's departure opened the way for Ahmet Ertegun to take over as president of the label. Leiber and Stoller backed down, but the relationship ended anyway. 1). [24][25], Atlantic was one of the first independent labels to make recordings in stereo: Dowd used a portable stereo recorder which ran simultaneously with the studio's existing mono recorder. Republic Records is a division of Universal Music Group and home to multiple platinum award winning artists. My own staff is built with outstanding executives of both sexes, so I view it more as Forget gender but do a job with integrity, diligence and teamwork that you are proud of, and continue to listen, teach, learn and inspire those around you, she says. The soul/country & western crossover predated Ray Charles' similar venture by more than 6 months. [57] The deal marked the start of a successful eight-year association between the two labels, giving Stax access to Atlantic's promotions and distribution. Jones was an accounting major at Maryland University who planned to be a doctor . The Clovers' "Don't You Know I Love You" (composed by Ertegun) became the label's first R&B No. [14], Ertegun and Abramson spent much of the late 1940s and early 1950s scouring nightclubs in search of talent. "[77] The released version of "Follow You, Follow Me" gave Genesis their first hit single in the US, the album became their first American gold record, and the experience resulted in Ertegun and Collins becoming close friends. "[58], The deal to distribute Satellite's "Last Night" by The Mar-Keys on the Satellite label marked the first time Atlantic began marketing outside tracks on a non-Atlantic label. ")[76] Prager persisted with Atlantic, even though their A&R department and label President Jerry Greenberg repeatedly rejected Foreigner; it was Kalodner's dogged belief in the group (and a live audition) that finally convinced Greenberg to allow Kalodner to sign them and take them on as his personal project. In January of 1996, she was named Executive Vice President. In January 1970, Ahmet Ertegun was successful in his executive battle against Warner Bros. Records President Mike Maitland to keep Atlantic Records autonomous and as a result, Maitland was fired by Kinney president Steve Ross. [21] She hit No. 1 in September 1951. [26] He deleted the old '100' and '400' series of 10" albums and the earlier 12" albums in Atlantic's catalog, starting the '1200' series, which sold for $4.98, with Shorty Rogers' The Swingin' Mr Rogers. [85], The building was owned by the family of Sheldon Vogel, the chief financial officer of Atlantic at the time. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart. The sale of Atlantic Records activated a clause in the distribution agreement with Stax Records calling for renegotiation of the distribution deal and at this point, the Stax partners discovered that the deal gave Atlantic ownership of all the Stax recordings Atlantic distributed. "[79], Although his close friendship with Ertegun helped Collins launch his solo career, the fact that he eventually signed to Atlantic in the US was apparently as much by luck as by design. At this same time, Genesis' contract with Atlantic was up for renewal, and Collins was yet to sign as a solo artist. Jerry L. Greenberg is an American music executive, who at 32, was the youngest president of any major record company in the recording industry and received that title in 1974 as President of Atlantic Records. The song sold 100,000 copies in the first month and became a million-seller. The union action forced Atlantic to use almost all its capital to cut and stockpile enough recordings to last through the ban, which was expected to continue for at least a year. First and foremost is the music itself, and then the strategy created to expose it.. From Ertegun he learned how to treat musicians.[73]. The result was seven consecutive singles that made both the US Pop and Soul Top 10: "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" (Soul No. My early years began with the Rolling Stones, Bette Midler, Abba, AC/DC, Led Zeppelin, Genesis, Phil Collins, U2, Stevie Nicks and so many more, including songs that I forgot I promoted until I hear them in a store and point up and say, I worked that record!. 3 on the pop chart, selling over one million copies. Ertegun remained friendly with Bobby Darin, who returned to Atlantic in 1966. In April of that year, Miriam (Abramson) Bienstock reported to Billboard that Atlantic was selling 75% of its singles as 45s. In October 1967 Atlantic was sold to Warner Bros.-Seven Arts for US$17.5 million, although all the partners later agreed that it was a poor deal that greatly undervalued Atlantic's true worth. A subsidiary label, Atco, was established in 1955 to keep Abramson involved. The band was never even offered to them. [36] By 1958 Atlantic was America's second-largest independent jazz label. Atlantic's early stereo recordings included "Lover's Question" by Clyde McPhatter, "What Am I Living For" by Chuck Willis, "I Cried a Tear" by LaVern Baker, "Splish Splash" by Bobby Darin, "Yakety Yak" by the Coasters and "What'd I Say" by Ray Charles. [30] Wexler is credited with coining the term "rhythm & blues" to replace "race music". Ahmet Ertegun served as founding chairman until his death on December 14, 2006, at age 83.[4]. His agent David Geffen went to Wexler to ask for Stills to be released from his Atlantic contract because Geffen wanted Stills' new group to sign with Columbia. . During his tenure at United Artists Music, he was executive producer for the soundtrack to the movie 'Karate Kid 2,' which went gold. Later that year The Clovers' "One Mint Julep" reached No. Jerry Wexler said, "we're gonna put her back in church. 1633 Broadway Fl 10, New York, New York, 10019, United States. In September 1964, the Ertegun brothers and Wexler were in the process of buying out the company's other two shareholders, Sabit and Bienstock,[51] and it was proposed that Leiber and Stoller buy Sabit's shares. Wexler contacted the co-owner of Satellite, Jim Stewart, who agreed to lease the record to Atlantic for $1000 plus a small royaltythe first money the label had ever made. Columbia tried to market her as a jazz singer. By early 1980, when Collins was recording his solo album, the record industry was suffering greatly from the impact of the worldwide economic recession, and many labels were beginning to cull their rosters and drop acts that weren't providing major returns. Cotillion also released the triple-albums soundtrack of the Woodstock festival film in 1970. The label was originally formed as an outlet for blues and deep Southern soul; its first single, Otis Clay's version of "She's About A Mover", was an R&B hit. [5][47], Record producer Phil Spector moved to New York to work with Leiber and Stoller. He soon stopped when RCA signed Elvis Presley. [2] Craig Kallman is the chairman of Atlantic. I'm signing you today". He currently sits on this Board as the Chairman of the Compensation Committee. He produced "Twist and Shout" for The Top Notes, and it flopped. Upon joining Atlantic, Kallman established his A&R credentials by signing and A&R-ing several hit artists, including Notorious B.I.G., P.O.D., Aaliyah, Brandy, Timbaland, Lil' Kim and Junior M.A.F.I.A. 8), "Chain of Fools" (Soul No. Atlantic Records President of Promotion Andrea Ganis Looks Back, and Ahead, at Her Legendary Career By Jem Aswad Courtesy of andrea ganis Few music industry vets approach the level of royalty. Professional Member of The Recording Academy / GRAMMY's, Recipient of the Nordic Music Bizz' '20 under 30' prize anno 2019. Cotillion's catalog quickly expanded to include progressive rock, folk-rock, gospel, jazz and comedy. Stills and Crosby had been friends since the early 1960s; Nash had first met Crosby in the mid-1960s when The Byrds toured the UK, and he renewed the friendship when The Hollies toured the US in mid-1968. Although these were primarily 45rpm mono singles for much of the 1950s Dowd stockpiled his "parallel" stereo takes for future release. Michael Kyser named President of Black Music at Atlantic in US February 3, 2011 By Music Business Worldwide Michael Kyser has been appointed as the first-ever President of Black Music for the Atlantic Records Group. [32] He was appointed vice-president and purchased 13% of the company's stock. When Abramson returned from military service in 1955, he realized that he had been replaced by Wexler as Ahmet's partner. Irene received a Bachelor of Science degree from Saint John's University. December 2, 2014, 12:34 PM. [5], In early 1949, a New Orleans distributor phoned Ertegun to obtain Stick McGhee's "Drinking Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee", which was unavailable due to the closing of McGhee's previous label, Harlem Records. Barry, Thomas (September 9, 1969). [26] Billboard said Atlantic's "fresh sound" and the quality of its recordings, arrangements, and musicians was a great advance from standard R&B records. Wexler taught Greenberg all about recording, producing, finding songs, and the day-to-day tasks of running a major label. In 1968 Peter Grant flew to New York with tapes of the debut album by British rock band Led Zeppelin. After buying Elektra Records and its sister label Nonesuch Records in 1970, Kinney combined the operations of all of its record labels under a new holding company, WEA, and also known as Warner Music Group. Wexler's protg Jerry L. Greenberg replaced him and played a role in Atlantic's success during the 1970s. Previously, Irene was an A&R Administration at RCA Records and also held positions at SONY. It was granted informally, but their accountant insisted on a written contract and an audit of Atlantic's accounts. Following his departure, Ertegunwho had previously taken little interest in Atlantic's business affairstook decisive control of the label[66] and quickly became a major force in the expanding Warner music group. He learned his trade at Trey Records, a label in California owned by Lester Sill and Lee Hazlewood and distributed by Atlantic. "Mack the Knife" (1959) went to No. Abramson also produced "Magic Records", children's records with four grooves on each side, each groove containing a different story, so the story played would be determined by the groove in which the stylus happened to land. [1]. [70] Other releases that year include albums by Aretha Franklin (Soul '69), Led Zeppelin (Led Zeppelin), Don Covay (House of Blue Lights), Boz Scaggs (Boz Scaggs), Roberta Flack (First Take), Wilson Pickett (Hey Jude), Mott the Hoople (Mott the Hoople), and Black Pearl (Black Pearl).[70]. Atlantic Business Interiors offers a vast array of office furniture and equipment, and combine that with an in-depth knowledge of workplace layout and ergonomics to ensure you make the most of your office space and give your workforce the best work . MusiCares services and resources cover a wide range of financial, medical and personal emergencies and each case is treated with integrity and confidentially. Atlantic was a powerhouse then as it is now, so I got to work legendary acts throughout my career, says the New York native. Websites. 2), "Since You've Been Gone" (Soul No. Org Chart - Atlantic Records. Variety is a part of Penske Media Corporation. From 1970 it also distributed Embryo Records, founded by jazz flautist Herbie Mann after his earlier Atlantic contract had expired. "[34], Ahmet's older brother Nesuhi was hired in January 1955. [90] The parody was released online for free on June 7. In the 1980s she sued Atlantic for unpaid royalties; although Atlantic, which prided itself on treating artists fairly, had stopped paying royalties to some musicians. 7, selling over one million copies and becoming the bestselling song of the year for Decca. Atlantic Business Interiors. The Atlantic Council, 2 p.m.:Looking North: Security in the Arctic Center for Strategic and International Studies, 4 p.m.: Discussion with outgoing Australian Ambassador to the U.S. ARTHUR . Ertegun started lifelong grudges against Leiber and Stoller, and his relationship with Wexler was damaged. During the compilation of the Rhino-Atlantic John Coltrane boxed set, producer Joel Dorn located supposedly destroyed outtakes from Coltrane's seminal 1959 album Giant Steps, plus other tapes including Bobby Darin's original Atco demo of "Dream Lover" (with Fred Neil playing guitar). Collins later commented, "We didn't use his version, but we knew what he was getting at. The mid-1960s British Invasion led Atlantic to change its British distributor. The overall enormity of this song changed that. Jerry Greenberg signed the group to Atlantic in the US in 1973 on Ertegun's advice, but although they were very successful in Europe, Genesis remained at best a "cult" act in America for most of the Seventies. At RCA Records and also held positions at SONY progressive rock, folk-rock, gospel, jazz and comedy April! Released online for free on June 7 's artists outside North America did n't use version... 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