Jerry Wexler

Music Producer

Jerry Wexler was a music producer. He is regarded as one of the major record industry players behind music from the 1950’s through the 1980’s and was one of the most highly-regarded A&R (artists and repertoire) men in pop music history. He coined the term “rhythm and blues” and was integral in signing and/or producing such artists as Ray Charles, The Allman Brothers, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Dusty Springfield, and Bob Dylan. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. [1]
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During a video interview, Wexler recount an exchange during the recording of Bob Dylan's first "born again" album, Slow Train Coming, where Dylan started evangelizing him. Wexler responded: "Bob, you're talking to a card-carrying, 62 year old Jewish atheist. Forget about it." [2]