Independent labels have been instrumental in advancing American popular music. No indie label was more prolific and successful than Atlantic Records. Founded in 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun, the son of the Turkish ambassador to the U.S., and Herb Abramson, a dental student, Atlantic recorded major rhythm and blues acts like Big Joe Turner, Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, Chuck Willis, and Lavern Baker. In the 50’s Atlantic also produced popular vocal groups the Drifters, the Clovers, and the Coasters. Atlantic maintained a roster of leading blues musicians such as T-Bone Walker, Freddie King, Otis Rush, and others. In the 60’s Atlantic recorded many of soul music’s most prominent artists Aretha Franklin, Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett, Percy Sledge, and the Spinners. Atlantic also recorded a diverse and impressive group of jazz musicians such as John Coltrane, Charles Mingus, the Modern Jazz Quartet, Mose Allison, and Ornette Coleman. This class will review many of the Top Ten R&B hits Atlantic produced, the soul music explosion of the 60’s and some of the label’s most influential jazz artists. We will also discuss the importance of behind-the-scenes figures Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun, Jerry Wexler, Tom Dowd, and Jesse Stone. The course will take us through the label’s history before it began signing rock acts like Crosby, Stills, and Nash and Led Zeppelin.

Photo by Zan Carvalho