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Herb Abramson, Record Producer/Atlantic Records Co-Founder
| by Michael Macomber |
Herb Ambramson
(left, with Jerry Wexler)
Nov 16, 1920 to
Nov 09, 1999
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Like his Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, Herb Abramson was in the business because he loved great music. Thus, he not only served as Atlantic's first president, he also produced records by the likes of Big Joe Turner, Mabel Mercer, Professor Longhair, Al Hibbler, and of course, Bobby Darin.
Abramson's first stint in the record business was with National Records, where from 1944 to 1947, he produced sides for Billy Eckstine, Big Joe Turner, and the Ravens. He also formed Jubilee Records in 1946 with Jerry Blaine, a label specializing in rhythm n' blues, comedy, and novelty releases. Not long afterwards, he sold his interest in Jubilee to his partner Blaine, and joined with his good friend Ahmet Ertegun, to found Atlantic in 1947. |
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With Abramson as president and Ertegun as vice-president, the pair handled the creative end of Atlantic, and Abramson's wife Miriam handled the business end. This arrangement lasted until 1953, when Abramson was drafted into the Army. At that point, Ertegun brought in Jerry Wexler as a partner, to assume Abramson's duties in his absence.
Upon returning to Atlantic in 1955, Abramson was put in charge of Atco, a newly formed division of Atlantic. As head of Atco from 1955 to 1958, Abramson enjoyed success with acts such as The Coasters and The Sensations. In 1958, however, there was apparently some friction between Abramson and Ahmet Ertegun over Atco artist Bobby Darin. Abramson wanted to drop Darin, due to the young singer's failure thus far to score a hit. Ertegun stepped in and wrangled Darin another chance in the studio, and the result was Splish Splash.
This conflict, along with other factors (which included the collapse of Abramson's marriage), led Abramson to leave Atlantic in 1958, selling his share of the company to then ex-wife Miriam.
Abramson went on to form his own labels, Triumph, Blaze and Festival, and to become an independent producer, working with Don Covay, Gene Pitney, Elmore James, Tommy Tucker, Louisiana Red, and Titus Turner. In February of 1998, he received the Pioneer Award from the Rhythm and Blues Foundation. |
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Darin LPs Produced by Herb Abramson:
Bobby Darin (Atco 33-102, September 1958) |
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Other LPs Produced by Herb Abramson (Selected Discography):
Mabel Mercer: Sings Cole Porter (Atlantic 1213, 1955)
Al Hibbler: After the Lights Go Down Low (Atlantic 1251, 1956)
Professor Longhair: New Orleans Piano (Atlantic SD-7225, 1972) |
Herb Abramson Links:
Herb Abramson Profile at Allmusic.com
Atlantic Records Official Site
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