Fare Thee Well Jerry (Update)

Giant of the music industry, Jerry Wexler, passed away Friday at 91 from congestive heart failure.  He had been a writer for Billboard Magazine in the '40s, coining the term Rhythm and Blues, replacing the term "race records" on the Billboard charts.  He was recruited by Ahmet Ertegun of Atlantic Records where he played an instrumental role in moving Black artists into the mainstream, cultivating and nurturing acts like Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin, by letting them explore their God given talent without a net.  He was a marketing genius, playing the payola system like a fiddle, and getting Black artists played in markets that otherwise would never have considered it.

Slate magazine comments that while other labels were financially driven by a bottom line, "From the beginning, Atlantic stood in stark contrast to its competitors. Ertegun and Wexler brought to the business of R&B a professionalism and sophistication..."

When he broke from Ertegun he began nurtured the growth of small, independent studios like Stax records by bringing in artists like Aretha, Otis Redding, and Dusty Springfield to work with new artists.  In a documentary of Wexler's career, Immaculate Funk, Wilson Pickett expressed that Wexler understood what was going on inside the souls of black people.  It came through in the music.

Wexler was no saint, candidly criticizing his adulterous affairs and drug use in his autobiography, Rhythm and Blues, but there is no disputing that he played an instrumental role in bringing civil rights to the music industry, not to mention the sounds of soul to all of America.  But let's give the artists a chance to testify.

Here are a few of the comments posted on the internet.

DevThaMan | August 17, 2008 11:56 AM EST
Jerry will be nominated for special achievment on MTV. DR.DRE and NEW ARTIST TRIGGA IS SAid TO FINISH UP DETOX ALBUM.
WWW.MYSPACE.COM/TRIGGAISDAFUTURE

50 CENT and TRIGGA ON NEW TRACK

GrooveDog | August 17, 2008 1:14 AM EST

I'm a musician and studio owner with over 4,000 records in my own personal collection and Jerry Wexler is my favorite record producer, bar none. He had me hooked from the time I was 6 yrs. old and played "In the Midnight Hour" on my sister's phonograph and noticed that I could even hear the song when I turned the volume all the way down...THAT'S how hot that song was cut into those grooves, baby!! Jerry, I pray to God you are resting peacefully where ever you are, keep Groovin'!!

633musicgroup | August 16, 2008 12:58 AM EST

They do not make them like Mr. Wexler anymore!
You sense that he loved every second of his life and loved to make music.
The modern jerks ended up sticking to him, but that's ok, I will bet none of them have his joy, nor wil any of them live to be 91!

bluesfla | August 15, 2008 8:34 PM EST

Yes, I hope the Rock n ROll Hall puts on a tribute show for you Wex. Would have been cool if they had done while you were still here to enjoy it personally.

bluesfla | August 15, 2008 8:33 PM EST

Great job,Rolling Stone. I live in Sarasota, FL and just came on to tip you to Jerry's passing and you already have a great piece on him. Plus you have the Wex on Wax Link..very inside and very cool I own a ocpy myself and was there when Jerry was inducted into the Blues Foundation's Hall of Fame in Los Angeles. What a night that was and what a friend Jerry Wexler was to me and to our musical lives. Talk about a legacy! R.I.P Jerry, say hi to Professor Longhair and Ahmet for us all.

Jerry Ross, aka bluesfla

Alaskan | August 15, 2008 7:10 PM EST
THANK YOU so much for this tribute. Lovely job, Rolling Stone ~

Steveidrum | August 15, 2008 4:59 PM EST
I had the honor of knowing, and working with Jerry many times over the years. He was a real music man. Ahmet, Nessui, Arif, all gone, but never forgotten for the experience they shared with me. I will remember their music, humor, and generosity forever.

Jamesey | August 15, 2008 1:33 PM EST
Thank you Rolling Stone for this fitting tribute.

NotMozart | August 15, 2008 12:07 PM EST
Jerry, you will be missed. I hope there is a giant concert for you like there was for Ahmet. You were one of the few good guys in the music industry. Rest in peace.