RIP Jerry Wexler

1917–2008

The Adios Lounge would be remiss if it didn't acknowledge the passing of Jerry Wexler, who died Friday at the age of 91. I've often said that if I could live anyone else's life in history, I'd live Jerry Wexler's.

He coined the phrase "rhythm and blues" while writing for Billboard, and when he was at Atlantic.

He not only helped create rock 'n' roll, but later proved crucial in popularizing soul music.

He worked with Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Dusty Springfield, Wilson Pickett, LaVern Baker, Solomon Burke, The Drifters, and Dire Straits, all at their artistic peak.

He convinced Ahmet Ertegun to sign Led Zeppelin.

He nurtured the early career of a young Duane Allman.

He was the first producer to realize Willie Nelson's artistic vision, midwifing Nelson's transition from frustrated Nashville outsider to pot-smoking Austin visionary.

He helped one of my favorite musicians, Doug Sahm, produce two albums of genre-defying badassery that showcased Doug's talent as a one-man American roots jukebox.

It's probably fair to say that Jerry Wexler had a bigger impact on my musical taste ... and record collection ... than any other non-musician and for that I owe him heartfelt gratitude. He was a giant among men. RIP Jerry.

WEXLER'S PRIDE

A few years ago, Wexler supposedly gave some friends a 20-song CD featuring his favorite songs from his half-century career in music. Here's a link to download this playlist and below are my notes.

Download Wex 20 (113 MB)
Total Time = 1:03:30

1. Professor Longhair - "Tipitina" (1953)

This song may be familiar if you read my Earl Palmer post from last month. This was one of Wex's first sessions with Atlantic Records.

2. Ray Charles - "I Got A Woman" (1954)

3. Big Joe Turner - "Shake, Rattle, And Roll" (1954)

4. LaVern Baker - "Tweedlee Dee" (1954)

5. Champion Jack Dupree - "Junker's Blues" (1958)

"Some people say I use a needle,
And some say I sniff cocaine,
But that's the best old feeling in the world that I'd ever seen."

6. Drifters - "There Goes My Baby" (1959)

7. Ray Charles - "What I'd Say" (1959)

Imagine being in the control room when this song went down. And Wexler was probably on hand for every Ray session at Atlantic. I assure you, these tears on my cheeks are from laughter.

8. Solomon Burke - "If You Need Me" (1963)

9. Booker T. & The MG's - "Green Onions" (1962)

I enjoyed Boyhowdy's take on this beloved instrumental, which he recently posted on Star Maker Machine.

10. Wilson Pickett - "In The Midnight Hour" (1965)

Here's a cool video in which Steve Cropper explains the origins of the song. Also, a singer by the name of John Lennon speaks fondly of the Wicked Pickett.

11. Aretha Franklin - "Respect" (1967)

12. Dusty Springfield - "Son Of A Preacher Man" (1969)

13. Dr. John - "Iko Iko" (1972)

"The two albums I'm proudest of are Dr. John's Gumbo and Doug Sahm And Band. And they both tanked. Two of Atlantic's worst sellers."
--Jerry Wexler

Get yer "Iko Iko" on at Star Maker Machine.

14. Doug Sahm - "(Is Anybody Going To) San Antone" (1973)

Pictured right, at Atlantic Studios in NYC are Jerry Wexler, Doug Sahm, and Band (including Bob Dylan).

"I worked with a lot of musicians over the years and had been very fortunate. There was something about Doug, though, that really intrigued me. The fact that he could not only play just about every style of Texas music, but play it with so much soul and intensity was something that always amazed me. I never got tired of listening to him pull out song after song and just pour it on."
--Jerry Wexler on Doug Sahm

"Jerry Wexler always used to tell me how he could holler and scream with the promotion people, but if their hearts weren't into it, they just weren't into it. Now Atlantic is a small part of the Warner monster and Wexler can't do that soulful thing with all his new people anymore. It's like a new era had dawned: the new people go the new way. And Wexler resigned, bless his heart."
--Doug Sahm on Jerry Wexler

15. Willie Nelson - "Bloody Mary Morning" (1974)

16. Sanford & Townsend - "Smoke From A Distant Fire" (1977)

I think this is the winner of the "Which one of these is not like the others?" award. Hey, they can't all be "What'd I Say."

17. James Booker, "Winin' Boy Blues" (1978)

Many thanks to Flashman for turning me onto the formerly "ridiculously obscure" Pretty Baby soundtrack. Produced by Jerry Wexler, this tune features the late New Orleans pianist, James Booker (pictured right with the funky eyepatch), covering ragtime legend, Jelly Roll Morton.

18. Etta James - "Take It To The Limit" (1978)

19. Dire Straits - "Lady Writer" (1979)

20. Bob Dylan -" Gotta Serve Somebody" (1979)

Here's a great video of Wex talking about meeting Dylan and later working with him on Slow Train Coming. It's the first of three parts, so if you like what you hear, check out "Related Videos."

Bonus Wexler: Donny Hathaway - Put Your Hand In The Hand (1971)

FURTHER WEXPLORATION:

To read more about the swashbuckling life of Jerry Wexler, I recommend visiting The B-Side and Salon. Rolling Stone has a pretty nice write-up as well.

For a thorough Wexlerography, try our old friends at All Music Guide.