he man who helped to take the Rolling Stones to superstardom was left fighting for life after falling backstage at a New York performance by the band.

Record mogul Ahmet Ertegun - who signed the band in the early Seventies at a time of uncertainty for them - had been backstage as Mick Jagger and Co performed at Bill Clinton's 60th birthday party last Sunday in Manhattan.

But just before they went onstage, the 83-year-old record label boss slipped and fell, badly injuring his head.

When Jagger - who had begged Ertegun to sign the band 30 years ago - came offstage he was devastated to find his mentor missing. The Mail on Sunday understands Ertegun was put into an induced coma before being taken to hospital.

"Mick was terribly upset," a Stones aide said. "Ahmet was unconscious in the intensive care unit and the doctors at first didn't give him much of a chance. But they are now listing him as stable.

Although his condition is still seriousm they are more optimistic because he has come round under his own steam. He has now been taken off the respirator, is breathing on his own and has even started to say a few words."

At Ertegun's home, his wife Mica, an internationally renowned interior decorator, was too upset to comment

I read about the night in which Mick took Ahmet out with his plans,after Decca, sometime ago, and according to the book "The Atlantic Years", when Jagger had finished his speel, he looked up at Ahmet and noticed he was asleep, which is what the Stones liked about him, a no panic, no sweat attitude.
Something that rarely exists in a person with the massive hit catalogue he has achieved.
I do hope he gets well, as we all do.

Amen

Good God, I just saw him at the TJ Martell Gala about a month ago. I can't believe I didn't hear of this. Ahmet
used to manage a very good friend of mine, a jazz/jazzpop artist Steve Kowalzck (tremendous talent)signed to Atlantic, and he stills mentors him. Ahmet is simply one of the greatest record people ever.
I know for a fact that he can't understand how some of todays acts can even be making records, and he is still a true arbitor of great talent.


Get well Ahmet.