Ahmet Ertegun, founder of Atlantic Records, died at the age of 83 on Thursday, with complications from a coma resulting from a head injury suffered at an October 29th Rolling Stones concert.

Ertegun was born a Turkish ambassador's son, and started Atlantic in 1947 after years of collecting records for fun. His resume' includes a long list of highly successful acts including Cream, the Rolling Stones, Ray Charles (with whom he collaborated on the hit single "Mess Around") Led Zeppelin, Crosby Stills Nash & Young, Roberta Flack and Aretha Franklin. Of all of Ertegun's accomplishments, he is widely acclaimed for opening the doors of his label to all types of music, regardless of race. In a time before Motown Records, this was considered a major risk in mainstream music.

Punknews.org sends our condolences to Mr. Ertegun's friends & family.