The songwriters whom we think of being the greatest songwriters usually write one hit and six or seven flops. — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
The songwriters whom we think of being the greatest songwriters usually write one hit and six or seven flops. That includes the Irving Berlins and the Hoagy Carmichaels, the Harold Arlens, Cole Porter. — 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
As I grew up, I began to discover a little bit about the situation of black people in America and experienced an immediate empathy… — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
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… — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
I did a little bit to raise the dignity and recognition of the greatness of African-American music. — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
