Southern Music's Best Friend, Jerry Wexler Has Died at 91
Jerry Wexler was rock and roll. He was also rhythm and blues. Oh, and Southern rock. Oh, yeah, Wex was a huge fan of Southern music of all sorts, and of the key architects in the history of music over the past 50 years. He was instrumental in helping Phil Walden set up the original Capricorn Records label.
From Duane Allman to Delaney & Bonnie, Willie Nelson to Bob Dylan to Aretha Franklin, Wexler's magic touched them all.
Wexler died today (Friday, August 15, 2008) at his Sarasota, Florida home at the age of 91.
Oh, and Wexler also helped build one of the greatest rock record labels, Atlantic Records, whose roster included everyone from Aretha Franklin to Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones.
He was named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Nobody deserved it more.
Look for more on Mr. Wexler in Swampland.com in the coming days. He had a profound effect on all of us. The GRITZ flag is at half mast, and we will never let Wexler's memory fade as long as we have this forum. Godspeed Jerry.
Keep it Real. Keep it Southern.
Buffalo
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Comments
rebyll says...
I just caught a flick on IFC, "Tom Dowd, and the Language of Music." Wexler was all in it too. What a duo. A lot of it I already knew but I also learned some things too. To me, Dowd was like the Earnhardt of music. Just like Dale could see air, Tom could see music....... RIP Wex.
tennesseewaltz says...
Thanks Buffalo. Great article. Wex was my hero.
elaine1987 says...
Jerry Wexler, like Ahmet Ertegun and Tom Dowd, was instrumental in southern music history. He will be missed.
PenneElk says...
I was deeply saddened to hear of Wexler's death. What a man! What a life!!! He will be sorely missed. On a happy note, I was delighted to read your review of Donnie Fritts' album "One Foot in the Groove." Too cool. It was great seeing him at Cooper's party.