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 artistbuycalifornia Change image and share on social
Rock n' roll really belongs to all America. It really doesn't belong to one city. Ahmet Ertegun americabelongcity Change image and share on social
I've lived very well all my life, even when I had no money, and there's very little I can't afford. Ahmet Ertegun affordhavelife Change image and share on social
I love Ray Charles. He can still teach everybody a lot about how to make great music. Not necessarily how to make hits, but how to make great music. Of course, part of it is his incredible talent. Who are the greatest jazz singers in the world? Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday and Ray Charles. Ahmet Ertegun armstrongbilliecharle share on social
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 000askclose Change image and share on social
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 americaexcessexcessive Change image and share on social
I'd be happy if people said that I did a little bit to raise the dignity and recognition of the greatness of African-American music. Ahmet Ertegun africanamericanbite Change image and share on social
I've been in the studio when you go through a track and you run down a track and you know even before the singer starts singing, you know the track is swinging... you know you have a multimillion-seller hit - and what you're working on suddenly has magic. Ahmet Ertegun havehitmagic share on social
Everyone felt like they knew Ray Charles and in a way they did, because he was embodied by his music. Ahmet Ertegun charleembodyfelt Change image and share on social
Flashy people aren't everything, you know. Even when they have frizzled hair. Ahmet Ertegun flashyfrizzlehair Change image and share on social