“(Ertegun) is the greatest record executive alive today—the template by which everything else is measured.” ¯David Geffen “Through it all, Ertegun has remained the ultimate industry icon.” ¯Vanity Fair “What’d I Say: The Atlantic Story” is the incredible, personal story of one of music’s greatest figures. Revered among artists and industry leaders alike, Ahmet Ertegun has consistently recognized and developed an astonishing range of talent in the course of six decades, earning him the nickname "The Music Man." Having graciously inspired so many executives (David Geffen, Chris Blackwell, Seymour Stein) and artists over the years, Ahmet remains at the top of his game--currently producing several records and still working with new artists. In “What’d I Say: The Atlantic Story,” set for a June release through A Publishing/Welcome Rain Publishers, Ahmet Ertegun, founder (in 1947) and Chairman/CEO of Atlantic Records, recounts the musical journey he began in the 30’s and continues today. Ahmet’s story is augmented by reminiscences and contributions from hundreds of the artists, producers and musical architects with whom he has worked. The Atlantic story unfolds chronologically through stunning photography: the book includes 900 rarely seen photographs by William Gottlieb, Jean-Pierre Leloir, Bob Gruen, William Claxton, David Gahr, Lynn Goldsmith, Neal Preston, Patrick McBride and many more. “What’d I Say” is punctuated by nine specially-commissioned essays from renowned authors/music journalists Greil Marcus, Nat Hentoff, Lenny Kaye, Robert Gordon, Robert Christgau, Vince Aletti, David Fricke, Will Friedwald and Barney Hoskyns. These writings are placed throughout the book and help define the different themes, musical styles and genres from Atlantic’s inception to the present day. Five years in the making, “What’d I Say” has been edited and compiled by Perry Richardson (“Blinds and Shutters” with Terry Southern, “Virgin: A History of Virgin Records,” “The Early Stones”). The book was designed by renowned magazine and book art director Marc Balet for Mixed Business.