2007 Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert

2007 Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert
Concert name	2007 Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert
Caption	Tribute concert at the Royal Albert Hall
Date	10 December 2007
Venue	Royal Albert Hall
Location	London, England
Produced by	Atlantic Records, Warner Music Group
Promoter	Guy Hands, Live Nation

2007 Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert The 2007 Ahmet Ertegun Tribute Concert was a memorial event honoring Ahmet Ertegun held at the Royal Albert Hall in London on 10 December 2007. The tribute assembled performers and presenters from across popular music and film, including artists associated with Atlantic Records, executives from Warner Music Group, and industry figures connected to Ahmet Ertegun's career. The concert aimed to celebrate Ertegun's influence on rhythm and blues, rock and roll, soul music, and the broader music industry through live performances and filmed tributes.

Background

Ahmet Ertegun, co-founder of Atlantic Records, had been instrumental in signing and promoting artists such as Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, The Rolling Stones, and Otis Redding; his death in December 2006 prompted commemorations by figures including Clive Davis, Jann Wenner, Gerald Levert, Bette Midler, and executives at Warner Music Group. The decision to stage a memorial at the Royal Albert Hall followed precedents like the Concert for George and charitable galas hosted at the same venue by producers including Harvey Goldsmith and organizations such as Live Nation. The tribute drew interest from institutions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and media outlets including BBC Television, MTV, and Rolling Stone.

Planning and Production

Organizers coordinated logistics among Atlantic Records, Warner Music Group, and promoters such as Live Nation and AEG Presents while collaborating with production professionals who had worked on events for Madonna, Paul McCartney, Eric Clapton, and Queen. Sound and staging teams included technicians experienced on tours for U2, Coldplay, Bruce Springsteen, and The Who, ensuring audio and lighting met standards expected by artists from Ahmet Ertegun's era and contemporary performers. The programme combined live sets, archival footage from sources like British Pathé and BBC Archives, and filmed tributes featuring personalities such as Barack Obama (then a rising political figure), Tony Bennett, Aretha Franklin, and executives including Doug Morris. Security and audience management were coordinated with Metropolitan Police units and venue staff from the Royal Albert Hall.

Performers and Setlist

The lineup featured a mix of legacy acts and newer stars who had direct ties to Ertegun or Atlantic's catalog, including Led Zeppelin members performing in tribute contexts, Eric Clapton, Sting, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Rod Stewart, Annie Lennox, Aerosmith members, Jeff Beck, Steve Winwood, Diana Krall, and Ray Davies. Soul and R&B representation included Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding tributes by contemporary soul singers, Sam Moore, Solomon Burke tributes, and performances by artists influenced by Ertegun such as Alicia Keys, Amy Winehouse, Amy Grant, and John Legend. Backing musicians comprised members from The Roots, session players linked to Muscle Shoals, and orchestral accompaniments drawn from London Symphony Orchestra affiliates. The setlist interwove classics from Atlantic Records's catalog—songs associated with Ray Charles, Wilson Pickett, Buddy Holly, Ben E. King, and Big Joe Turner—with collaborative medleys and guest sit-ins.

Notable Performances and Highlights

Standout moments included emotional renditions of songs tied to Ertegun's legacy, with guest appearances by surviving members of bands Ertegun championed, tributes by Clive Davis and Jann Wenner, and a montage of archival interviews featuring Ahmet Ertegun alongside footage of sessions with Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, and Otis Redding. Memorable collaborations paired artists across generations—such as a duet between Paul McCartney-connected musicians and contemporary soul vocalists, instrumental showcases reminiscent of Atlantic Records's studio sessions, and guest solos from guitarists like Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton. The evening also featured speeches by industry veterans from Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group, onstage tributes by artists from The Rolling Stones circle, and video messages from cultural figures linked to Ertegun's influence in film and television.

Reception and Impact

Critics from publications such as Rolling Stone, The Guardian, The New York Times, NME, and The Independent assessed the concert as a high-profile celebration that reinforced Ahmet Ertegun's stature within the music industry. Commentators highlighted the event's role in reaffirming the cultural importance of Atlantic Records's catalog and Ertegun's artist development model, while music historians compared the tribute to other landmark memorials like the Concert for George and benefit concerts at The O2 Arena. The concert spurred renewed interest in reissues of classic Atlantic recordings, influenced curatorial decisions at institutions like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and prompted retrospective profiles in outlets such as Billboard and Mojo.

Broadcast and Home Releases

The concert was recorded for television and later broadcast by broadcasters including BBC Television and syndicated outlets in the United States and Europe with highlights appearing on music channels like MTV and late-night programmes on ITV. Home media releases included a commemorative DVD and Blu-ray featuring select performances, behind-the-scenes footage, and documentary segments produced in conjunction with Atlantic Records and Warner Music Group; streaming availability followed on platforms affiliated with major labels and archives. The home release packages often contained liner notes by figures such as Clive Davis and archival photos from the Library of Congress and private Atlantic archives.

Category:Benefit concerts Category:2007 in London Category:Atlantic Records