R.I.P. Ahmet Ertegun

[CO_Hoya]

One of the pioneers of modern music died yesterday.

Link to NYTimes obit:

t 21, having earned a bachelor’s degree at St. John’s College in Annapolis, Md., Mr. Ertegun was taking graduate courses in medieval philosophy at Georgetown University.

“In between, I spent hours in a rhythm and blues record shop in the black ghetto in Washington,” he told the graduates of Berklee College of Music in Boston on receiving an honorary degree in 1991. “Almost every night, I went to the Howard Theater and to various jazz and blues clubs.”

“I had to decide whether I would go into a scholastic life or go back to Turkey in the diplomatic service, or do something else,” he said. “What I really loved was music, jazz, blues, and hanging out.” And so, he told the students, he did what he loved.

[hilltopper2000]

Ahmet also generously endowed the Ertegun professionship in Turkish studies, currently held by Professor Tabak.

[SoCalHoya]

Wow. I had no idea. RIP.