Behind The Scene Information on R&B and Soul Music: The Creative Force Behind Aretha Franklin At Atlantic Records

Monday 12 January 2009

The Creative Force Behind Aretha Franklin At Atlantic Records

Jerry Wexler, a Behind-the-Scenes Force in Black Music, Is Dead at 91 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTim es.com

Gerald "Jerry" Wexler (January 10, 1917 – August 15, 2008) was a music journalist before he took the role of music producer and partner at Atlantic Records and was regarded as one of the major contributors to the success of the music industry from the 1950s into the 1980s. He coined the term "rhythm and blues", and was integral in signing and/or producing many of the biggest acts of the last 50 years, including Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield and Bob Dylan.

Jerry Wexler in the recording studio at the world famous Fame Studios in Muscle Shaols with Aretha Franklin in 1967 recording her classic hit
"I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You."

Tom Dowd was the main sound engineer on all Aretha classic hits during her time at Atlantic Records. Tom was mainly instrumental in the long term success of many artist signed to the legendary label during the 1960s and the 1970s. He also helped develop the quality of the sound at Stax Records studios in Memphis.

Impacting individual recording artists such as Sam & Dave, Otis Redding and Wilson Pickets.Tom was involved in studio recordings and production for over forty years until his death on 27th October 2007, seven days after his 77th birthday.