When I first heard Ray Charles, he was a flop artist on a small label in California. He hadn't sold any records. And I bought his contract for $2,500. — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
I first heard Laura Branigan sing live in my brother Nesuhi's apartment, where we had gone because he had a very good piano. I immediately realized that she had a great pop voice, in the classical sense. Laura had an… — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
I don't use the computer. But my secretary does. I want to take some computer courses because I'm interested in some of the access… — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
Flashy people aren't everything, you know. Even when they have frizzled hair. — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
I came close to signing Elvis Presley. I offered $25,000 for his contract and they asked for $45,000 and I just didn't have the other $20,000. — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
The Ertegun Jazz Hall of Fame will provide a center where the lives and the artistry of the greatest jazz musicians will be celebrated,… — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
Rock n' roll really belongs to all America. It really doesn't belong to one city. — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
There are still many great surviving talents: Stevie Winwood. Another great talent is Stevie Wonder. Another one is Eric Clapton. Another one is Phil… — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
I became a jazz fan quite early and never went off the path thereafter. — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
My father believed very strongly in Ataturk. Ataturk was a very powerful man and a man of great vision. — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
If anybody asks me where I'm from, my first inclination is to say, 'Washington,' because that's where I grew up meaningfully. — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
I love Ray Charles. He can still teach everybody a lot about how to make great music. Not necessarily how to make hits, but… — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
