Mr. Wexler
Monday, May 29th, 2006
Oh what a transition a musician can make when he or she is removed from familiar surroundings. Oh, thank you Jerry Wexler for signing Aretha Franklin to Atlantic in 1967. Thank you for taking her away from the confines of the suits of Columbia Records and placing her in her own element at Mussel Shoals, Alabama. She found her soul there! She mixed gospel with the blues and then added her inventive piano to create the perfect feminine anthems that still ring true today. Those sessions uncovered one of the greatest American voices ever recorded. With Wexler’s nudging, Aretha continued what Ray Charles started by adding sexuality to gospel. Wexler worked and shaped some our greatest American musicians. We can thank Jerry for the great guidance you gave Ray, Sam and so many others.
I was so damn lucky to have dinner with Mr. Wexler a few months ago. He is only 89 and he still gets out of the house to visit musicians as they pass through his chosen retirement local, Sarasota Florida. I was struck by his depth and his detailed memory of events 40 years ago. I’m honored to say that Jerry sat and watched Before the Music Dies. I’m even more honored to say he thought it was “terrific”. I know Jerry won’t read this, because, he doesn’t own a computer. Regardless, I felt the need to brag about my dinner with Jerry, the carpenter of great American music.
Andrew - Director
Oh what a transition a musician can make when he or she is removed from familiar surroundings. Oh, thank you Jerry Wexler for signing Aretha Franklin to Atlantic in 1967. Thank you for taking her away from the confines of the suits of Columbia Records and placing her in her own element at Mussel Shoals, Alabama. She found her soul there! She mixed gospel with the blues and then added her inventive piano to create the perfect feminine anthems that still ring true today. Those sessions uncovered one of the greatest American voices ever recorded. With Wexler’s nudging, Aretha continued what Ray Charles started by adding sexuality to gospel. Wexler worked and shaped some our greatest American musicians. We can thank Jerry for the great guidance you gave Ray, Sam and so many others.
I was so damn lucky to have dinner with Mr. Wexler a few months ago. He is only 89 and he still gets out of the house to visit musicians as they pass through his chosen retirement local, Sarasota Florida. I was struck by his depth and his detailed memory of events 40 years ago. I’m honored to say that Jerry sat and watched Before the Music Dies. I’m even more honored to say he thought it was “terrific”. I know Jerry won’t read this, because, he doesn’t own a computer. Regardless, I felt the need to brag about my dinner with Jerry, the carpenter of great American music.
Andrew - Director
