There is a certain sort of excess that is interesting, don't you think? And America is, of course, the most excessive place. — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
America is remarkable, don't you think so? When I came to Washington, I was twelve years old. I spoke English with an… — 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… — Ahmet Ertegun Copy Share Image
I think it's better to burn out than to fade away... it's better to live out your days being very, very active… — 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
