Jerry Wexler, one of R&B’s greatest architects – and the man who signed Led Zeppelin – has died aged 91. According to his son Paul, Wexler’s death was caused by congestive heart failure.

As a journalist for Billboard in the 1940s, Wexler actually came up with the term “R&B”. But it was at Atlantic Records that his genius – as a nurturing executive and astonishingly gifted producer – was most felt.

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Wexler produced Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett and many others. When he diversified into rock, he brought Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones to the label. He also produced Bob Dylan’s “Slow Train Coming”.

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