MIDEM 2001

Ahmet's activities in the music world have not been limited to his accomplishments with ATLANTIC RECORDS. He is a Founder of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and Chairman of its governing foundation. The Museum's main exhibition hall in Cleveland bears his name. In 1991, he received an Honorary Doctorate in Music from the Berklee College of Music in Boston; in 1993, he was presented with a Trustees Award from the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (NARAS); and, in 1996, he received an Honorary Doctorate in the Arts from the New York Institute of Technology. Ahmet Ertegun's life includes many other interests outside the music industry. He is an avid collector of modern art and he has a passion for football (or soccer, as it is known in the US). He served as President of the Cosmos Club for many years and was a member of the Organisers Committee of the World Cup USA 1994. He is also Chairman of the American Turkish Society, Director of the American Hospital of Istanbul, Trustee of the Institute of Turkish Studies at Princeton University, Member of the Children's Storefront School of Harlem, Trustee of the Parrish Art Museum, Trustee of the Rhythm & Blues Foundation, Honorary Chairman of the Park Avenue Bank and Trustee Emeritus of Physicians for Peace. Ahmet Ertegun's illustrious career as a legendary figure of the music world can perhaps best be summed up with a few words which he himself pronounced, when accepting his Honorary Doctorate from the Berklee College of Music in 1991: "I have had so many thrills since we started and thank God they haven't stopped. The thrill of special records recorded by special artists keeps coming."

Concerning his nomination as Man of the Year at MIDEM 1998, Ahmet Ertegun comments: "It is a great honour to be asked to join such an illustrious group of people who have received the "Nesuhi Ertegun - Man of the Year Trophy", named after my late brother who was its first recipient. Nesuhi was a fervent advocate and supporter of MIDEM, Cannes, the Côte d'Azur, France and all things French. I would like to thank Xavier Roy for this very special award and congratulate him for having made MIDEM such an international success. I would also like to thank Claude Nobs for his great help to me and for having organised the ATLANTIC RECORD Concert, which will celebrate our 50th anniversary in the Music Business".

Back>>>

www.midem.comR*

Texas Music Magazine Vol. 10 No. 1 January 2001