Southern Music's Best Friend, Jerry Wexler Has Died at 91

Jerry Wexler was rock and roll. He was also rhythm and blues. Oh, and Southern rock. Oh, yeah, Wex was a huge fan of Southern music of all sorts, and of the key architects in the history of music over the past 50 years. He was instrumental in helping Phil Walden set up the original Capricorn Records label.

From Duane Allman to Delaney & Bonnie, Willie Nelson to Bob Dylan to Aretha Franklin, Wexler's magic touched them all.

Wexler died today (Friday, August 15, 2008)  at his Sarasota, Florida home at the age of 91.

Oh, and Wexler also helped build one of the greatest rock record labels, Atlantic Records, whose roster included everyone from Aretha Franklin to Ray Charles, Led Zeppelin and the Rolling Stones.

He was named to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Nobody deserved it more.

Look for more on Mr. Wexler in Swampland.com in the coming days. He had a profound effect on all of us. The GRITZ flag is at half mast, and we will never let  Wexler's memory fade as long as we have this forum. Godspeed Jerry.

Keep it Real. Keep it Southern.

Buffalo

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