Gerald "Jerry" Wexler (January 10, 1917 – August 15, 2008) was a music journalist who became a music producer, and was thought of as an important name in his field from the 1950s through the 1980s. He came up with the term "Rhythm & Blues", and was important in working with big people in music of the last 50 years, such Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Led Zeppelin, Wilson Pickett, Dusty Springfield, and Bob Dylan. Wexler became part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.