 Monsters and Critics.com | Ahmet Ertegun, Founder of Atlantic Records, Dies New York Times - By TIM WEINER. Ahmet Ertegun, the record-company magnate who founded Atlantic Records and shaped the careers of many of the top musicians of his day, including John Coltrane, Ray Charles, the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin, died today in Manhattan. Music Pioneer Ahmet Ertegun Dies at 83 American music producer, Ahmet Ertegun, dead at 83 |