After Wexler retired shortly after his 80th birthday someone asked him what he’d like written on his tombstone.
The response?
More bass.
And so, with his passing, we’ve lost the last of the triumvirate that gave us Atlantic Records. For a great view of the Atlantic story, may I recommend two DVDs: Atlantic Records: The House That Ahmet Built, released after Ahmet Ertegun left us, and the wonderful Tom Dowd & The Language of Music.
Twenty Essential Jerry Wexler Productions (his ratings, according to Rolling Stone).
1. Professor Longhair Tipitina (1953)
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)
6. The Drifters There Goes My Baby (1959)
7. Ray Charles What I'd Say (1959)
8. Solomon Burke If You Need Me (1963)
9. Booker T. & the MG's Green Onions (1962)
10. Wilson Pickett In the Midnight Hour (1965)
11. Aretha Franklin Respect (1967)
12. Dusty Springfield Son of a Preacher Man (1969)
13. Dr. John Iko Iko (1972)
14. Doug Sahm (Is Anybody Going to) San Antone (1973)
15. Willie Nelson Bloody Mary Morning (1974)
16. The Sanford/Townsend Band Smoke From a Distant Fire (1977)
17. James Booker Winin' Boy Blues (1978)
18. Etta James Take It to the Limit (1978)
19. Dire Straits Lady Writer (1979)
20. Bob Dylan Gotta Serve Somebody (1979)