R.I.P. Jerry Wexler

By Angela Carone / Cultural Enterprise Reporter, Culture Lust by Angela Carone

Published August 15, 2008 at 8:31 PM PDT

This story was published more than 16 years ago.

The man who coined the term rhythm and blues and shepharded the careers of Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin and Wilson Pickett has died. One of the prized possessions in my music collection is the box set of Atlantic Rhythm and Blues from 1947-1974. & Much of the music in this set was guided by the ear and business sense of Jerry Wexler. & Wexler was 91 and died of congestive heart failure at his home in Sarasota, Florida. When asked by a documentary filmmaker what he wanted on his tombstone, Jerry Wexler said: & "two words: & more bass." & Love that.

Here's Wilson Pickett performing The Midnight Hour, a song that Wexler

Become a KPBS sponsor

Angela Carone

Angela Carone covered arts and culture for KPBS and was the author of Culture Lust. Angela has produced public radio programs focused on the arts for the Atlanta and San Diego markets. In this role, she has covered topics ranging from books, film, theater, music, visual arts and pop culture. She also has more than 15 years experience in print media, having been published in various newspapers, alternative weeklies, and exhibition catalogs. Angela has degrees in political science from Pennsylvania State University and in English literature from Georgia State University. She is also a published photographer.

See stories by Angela Carone

More News