The following report is courtesy of Reuters:

Ahmet Ertegun, a Turkish diplomat's son whose passion for America's black music inspired him to launch Atlantic Records and the careers of acts ranging from RAY CHARLES to ARETHA FRANKLIN, died in New York on Thursday (December 14th), the record label said. He was 83.

Atlantic said the tireless socialite and deal-maker had been in a coma at Weill Cornell Medical Centre since October, when he slipped backstage at a New York concert by the Rolling Stones, who recorded for the label during the 1970s.

"The soul of Ahmet Ertegun will forever be our guiding spirit, and as long as there is an Atlantic Records, it will be Ahmet Ertegun's company," said Craig Kallman, the chairman and Chief executive of the Warner Music Group Corp. unit.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee's 60-year career was unrivalled in its longevity and depth. Along the way, the bald, goateed bon vivant became a superstar cutting a dashing figure in the world's best ballrooms and seediest nightclubs.

One night he would hobnob with high-powered friends like Henry Kissinger and David Geffen and speak in his aristocratic accent. The next, he would relate unprintable anecdotes to impressionable young rock stars he was trying to sign to the label, outdrinking them in the process.

"He had the regard of the musicians in a way no other executive has ever had, because of his own deep musicality and abilities and his legendary appetite for the music life," said Jann Wenner, editor and publisher of Rolling Stone magazine.

Added rock producer Rick Rubin: "Regardless of who else came to the party, if Ahmet was there, he was the coolest guy in the room. The world is a remarkably better place thanks to Ahmet's vision.

Atlantic's roster included huge stars: PROFESSOR LONGHAIR, THE DRIFTERS, LED ZEPPELIN, OTIS REDDING, WILSON PICKETT, CREAM, CROSBY, STILLS & NASH, DUSTY SPRINGFIELD, GENESIS, AC/DC, THE BEE GEES, BETTE MIDLER, THE ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND, THE THREE TENORS, HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH, KID ROCK, JAMES BLUNT, and GNARLS BARKLEY.

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