Who Owns Atlantic Records?

Atlantic Records was founded in October 1947 by Ahmet Ertegun, the son of a Turkish diplomat, and Herb Abramson, a dentist and music enthusiast, with an initial investment of $10,000. The label was established in New York City with a focus on jazz, rhythm and blues, and the emerging sounds of African American music that were being largely ignored by the major labels of the era.

In its early years, Atlantic signed artists including Ray Charles, Ruth Brown, and the Drifters, helping to define the sound of rhythm and blues and soul music. Ahmet Ertegun's deep knowledge of and passion for Black American music gave Atlantic a credibility and authenticity that set it apart from other labels. The label's recordings captured the raw energy and emotional depth of R&B in ways that resonated deeply with audiences.

The 1950s and 1960s were Atlantic's golden era. The label signed and developed some of the most important artists in American music history: Ray Charles (who recorded his landmark Atlantic recordings in the late 1950s), Aretha Franklin (who recorded her most celebrated work at Atlantic from 1967-1979), Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, and the Coasters. Atlantic's recordings helped define soul music as a genre and had an enormous cultural impact.

Atlantic also moved into rock music in the late 1960s, signing Led Zeppelin in 1968 in one of the most significant deals in rock history. The label also worked with Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Yes, and other major rock acts, demonstrating its ability to identify and develop talent across genres.

In 1967, Atlantic Records was acquired by Warner Bros.-Seven Arts for approximately $17.5 million, bringing the label into what would eventually become Warner Music Group. Ahmet Ertegun remained as president and continued to shape the label's direction for decades after the acquisition.

In subsequent decades, Atlantic continued to sign major artists across genres, including ABBA (distributed in the US), Genesis, Phil Collins, Foreigner, and later hip-hop and R&B artists including Missy Elliott, T.I., Lil Wayne, Bruno Mars, Cardi B, and Ed Sheeran. The label has maintained its reputation as one of the most culturally significant and commercially successful record labels in history.