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The Last Sultan: The Life And Times Of Ahmet Ertegun (2011)

by Robert Greenfield(Favorite Author)

3.93 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

1416558381 (ISBN13: 9781416558385)

languge

English

genre

History & Biography

publisher

Simon & Schuster

review 1: I had been looking forward to reading this book since i got it (took me awhile to get to it). I really enjoyed the first part of the book, telling of Ahmet's history and family, and the beginnings of Atlantic Records. Eventually, though, the book got bogged down in telling anecdotes of Ahmet's exploits, and how funny he was, or how high or drunk or whatever. For about the last half of the book, I couldn't wait to finish it. I don't know if I'd recommend this book, except for the history part. I guess that made it worth reading.
review 2: Good overview of the extraordinary life of Ahmet Eretegun, one of the founders of Atlantic records. It’s most interesting when discussing the early days at Atlantic (borrowing money from his dentist to start the company) and... more the period of time when jazz and blues gave birth to rock-n-roll. If you are curious about the recordings that bridge jazz/blues to rock this book is insightful. I thoroughly enjoyed the accounts of the dysfunctional relationships within Buffalo Springfield and Cream and the anecdotes exemplifying the genius of Stephen Stills. Great little factoids emerge throughout including legendary producer Jerry Wexler’s decision to turn down an opportunity for Atlantic to sign The Beatles (“too derivative” he said). The backing vocals on Big Joe Turner’s “Shake Rattle and Roll” are provided by Wexler and Ertegun. In one anecdote Otis Redding shows up drunk to a Buffalo Springfield show in NY and calls Ahmet and his Ahmet’s jazz-producer brother Neshuhi (“Nes-ooh-ee”) “Omelet” and “Nescafe”. Equally fascinating were accounts of Eretgun’s relationships with Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Bobby Darin, Cher and Kid Rock. The stories about the Rolling Stones are surprisingly tired and uninspired. The author’s reverence for Ertegun is palpable and sometimes gets in the way of good journalism. I found the descriptions of the litany of music deals woefully lacking – even frustrating – providing little insight into how the business actually works or the merits of the claims of exploitation and contract violations by those early artists. Still, highly recommended for music buffs – particularly those interested in the early days of rock and roll. less

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