Clapton, Jagger to attend Ertegun memorial in NY

04/16/2007 7:15 PM, Reuters
Dean Goodman

Some of the biggest names in rock music, including Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Phil Collins and the surviving members of Led Zeppelin, will attend a private memorial in New York on Tuesday for their late boss, Atlantic Records founder Ahmet Ertegun.

Clapton, Collins and Stevie Nicks are among the scheduled performers, an Atlantic spokeswoman said. The event, organized by Ertegun's widow Mica, will take place at Jazz at Lincoln Center. Jagger is one of the speakers. Bette Midler will host.

Ertegun died last December aged 83, after suffering a brain injury when he fell backstage at a Rolling Stones show in October. The Turkish immigrant co-founded Atlantic in 1947, and brought the blues, jazz and R&B of his adopted country to the masses. The label's rock roster was equally impressive.

Other scheduled performers will include Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, Solomon Burke, Kid Rock and Sam Moore, Ben E. King, Wynton Marsalis, Manhattan Transfer, and Dr. John (with Clapton).

Reuters