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On Tuesday 17 April 2007, a memorial tribute was held in New York City for Ahmet Ertegun. The founder of Atlantic Records and co-founder of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame died on 14 December 2006 at age 83 from injuries suffered in a fall at a Rolling Stones’ concert at New York City’s Beacon Theater in October.

A large part of the evening was given over to musical performances. Wynton opened the tribute with the standard, “Didn’t He Ramble”. Eric Clapton was part of a band that included Dr. John. They performed Stick Mc Gee’s “Drinkin’ Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee” (Atlantic’s first hit) and “Please Send Me Someone To Love”, which was recorded by Percy Mayfield. Later, they backed Solomon Burke for his performance. Other performers included Stevie Nicks, CSN&Y, Ben E. King, Kid Rock and Sam Moore, Phil Collins, and a reunited Genesis.

With business partner Herb Abramson, Ahmet Ertegun founded Atlantic Records in 1947 with a $10,000 loan. He parlayed it into one of the most successful labels of all-time. He was responsible for recording Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Ruth Brown, Ray Charles, Bobby Darin, Otis Redding, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Cream, the Stones, Led Zeppelin, the Allman Brothers Band, CSNY, Sonny & Cher, Stevie Nicks, Roberta Flac, AC/DC, Jewel, Stone Temple Pilots, Matchbox Twenty, Kid Rock, Death Cab For Cutie Missy Elliott, and others far too numerous to mention. In 1983, he co-founded the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum with Rolling Stone Publisher Jann Wenner and Seymour Stein (founder of Sire Records).