goodbye, Ike Turner

[WolfeMacleod]

Since I don't see it yet...Ik'es gone to beat up Jesus...

http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/Music/12/12/obit.ike.turner.ap/index.html?section=cnn_latest


SAN DIEGO, California (AP) -- Ike Turner, whose role as one of rock's critical architects was overshadowed by his ogrelike image as the man who brutally abused former wife Tina Turner, died Wednesday at his home in suburban San Diego. He was 76.


Ike Turner won a Grammy for best traditional blues album for 'Risin' With The Blues' on February 11.

1 of 2 more photos » "He did pass away this morning" at his home in San Marcos, said Scott M. Hanover of Thrill Entertainment Group, which managed Turner's musical career.

There was no immediate word on the cause of death, which was first reported by celebrity Web site TMZ.com.

Turner managed to rehabilitate his image somewhat in later years, touring around the globe with his band the Kings of Rhythm and drawing critical acclaim for his work. Watch a report about Turner's death »

He won a Grammy in 2007 in the traditional blues album category for "Risin' With the Blues."

But his image is forever identified as the drug-addicted, wife-abusing husband of Tina Turner. He was hauntingly portrayed by Laurence Fishburne in the movie "What's Love Got To Do With It," based on Tina Turner's autobiography.

In a 2001 interview with The Associated Press, Turner denied his ex-wife's claims of abuse and expressed frustration that he had been demonized in the media while his historic role in rock's beginnings had been ignored.

"You can go ask Snoop Dogg or Eminem, you can ask the Rolling Stones or (Eric) Clapton, or you can ask anybody -- anybody, they all know my contribution to music, but it hasn't been in print about what I've done or what I've contributed until now," he said.


Turner, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is credited by many rock historians with making the first rock 'n' roll record, "Rocket 88," in 1951. Produced by the legendary Sam Phillips, it was groundbreaking for its use of distorted electric guitar. See photos of the rock pioneer »

But as would be the case for most of his career, Turner, a prolific session guitarist and piano player, was not the star on the record -- it was recorded with Turner's band but credited to singer Jackie Brenston.

And it would be another singer -- a young woman named Anna Mae Bullock -- who would bring Turner his greatest fame, and infamy.

Turner met the 18-year-old Bullock, whom he would later marry, in 1959 and quickly made the husky-voiced woman the lead singer of his group, refashioning her into the sexy Tina Turner. Her stage persona was highlighted by short skirts and stiletto heels that made her legs her most visible asset. But despite the glamorous image, she still sang with the grit and fervor of a rock singer with a twist of soul.

The pair would have two sons. They also produced a string of hits. The first, "A Fool In Love," was a top R&B song in 1959, and others followed, including "I Idolize You" and "It's Gonna Work Out Fine."

But over the years they're genre-defying sound would make them favorites on the rock 'n' roll scene, as they opened for acts like the Rolling Stones.

The densely layered hit "River Deep, Mountain High" was one of producer Phil Spector's proudest creations. A rousing version of "Proud Mary," a cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival hit, became their signature song and won them a Grammy for best R&B vocal performance by a group.

Still, their hits were often sporadic, and while their public life depicted a powerful, dynamic duo, Tina Turner would later charge that her husband was an overbearing wife abuser and cocaine addict.

In her 1987 autobiography, "I, Tina," she narrated a harrowing tale of abuse, including suffering a broken nose. She said that cycle ended after a vicious fight between the pair in the back seat of a car in Las Vegas, where they were scheduled to perform.

It was the only time she ever fought back against her husband, Turner said.

After the two broke up, both fell into obscurity and endured money woes for years before Tina Turner made a dramatic comeback in 1982 with the release of the album "Private Dancer," a multiplatinum success with hits such as "Let's Stay Together" and "What's Love Got To Do With It."

The movie based on her life, "What's Love Got To Do With It," was also a hit, earning Angela Bassett an Oscar nomination.

But Fishburne's glowering depiction of Ike Turner also furthered Turner's reputation as a rock villain.

Meanwhile, Turner never again had the success he enjoyed with his former wife.

After years of drug abuse, he was jailed in 1989 and served 17 months.

Turner told the AP he originally began using drugs to stay awake and handle the rigors of nonstop touring during his glory years.

"My experience, man, with drugs -- I can't say that I'm proud that I did drugs, but I'm glad I'm still alive to convey how I came through," he said.

"I'm a good example that you can go to the bottom. ... I used to pray, `God, if you let me get three days clean, I will never look back.' But I never did get to three days. You know why? Because I would lie to myself. And then only when I went to jail, man, did I get those three days. And man, I haven't looked back since then."

But while he would readily admit to drug abuse, Turner always denied abusing his ex-wife.

After years out of the spotlight his career finally began to revive in 2001 when he released the album "Here and Now." The recording won rave reviews and a Grammy nomination and finally helped shift some of the public's attention away from his troubled past and onto his musical legacy.

"His last chapter in life shouldn't be drug abuse and the problems he had with Tina," said Rob Johnson, the producer of "Here and Now."

Turner spent his later years making more music and touring, even while he battled emphysema.

Accolades for both his early and later work continued to come in as he grew older, and the once-broke Turner managed to garner a comfortable income as his songs were sampled by a variety of rap acts.


In interviews toward the end of his life, Turner would acknowledge having made many mistakes, but maintained he was still able to carry himself with pride.

"I know what I am in my heart. And I know regardless of what I've done, good and bad, it took it all to make me what I am today," he once told the AP.

[DARISC]

Ike lived about 6 miles from me. I kew him casually through a close friend, a young man who'd done Ike a good turn years ago, who Ike never forgot and treated like a grandson. My friend was first on the scene this morning and covered him.

Ike had mellowed and had a kind and gentlemanly demeanor. He had not licked all his demons; but who amongst us has? May he rest in peace.

[The Gaijin]

Originally Posted by DARISC

He had not licked all his demons; but who amongst us has? May he rest in peace.

Amen to that. It is now between Ike and his maker.

[Dan in Pasadena]

I read an intersting comment attributed to Ike in this morning's paper. Something to the effect that he admitted he'd made a lot of mistakes in his life but he didn't regret them because they made him who he ultimately became. He said, and I tend to agree, there are two sides to every story and only the bad side in his case was told....in a movie!

I make NO excuses for a guy guilty of spousal battery. It just sounds to me like he wished his side had gotten some light of day. Rest in Peace Ike.

[Jeff Higgins]

I really like his early (pre Tina) stuff. I kind of quit listening to it years ago, though. I'll have to check out his latest; it sounds like it must be pretty good, and back to his real roots.

Tina always struck me as "the woman scorned", and capable of being a real b!tch. Ike wouldn't be the first guy demonized by such a woman. Sounds like he managed to pull it back together, find his peace, and live well. The ultimate revenge...

[Red Baron]

Q: What do you say to a woman with two black eyes?

A: Nothing the biotch has already been told twice.

~Ike

[Racerbvd]

If not for Ike Turner, would Tina have ever made it??? How many other artist were influenced by him??

RIP.

[Hugh R]

Originally Posted by DARISC

Ike had mellowed and had a kind and gentlemanly demeanor. He had not licked all his demons; but who amongst us has? May he rest in peace.

DARISC

Peace offering, I like his music very much. Ditto and what you said above.

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

DARISC

Peace offering, I like his music very much. Ditto and what you said above.

We wuz alwayz at peace, bro . I likes ta beg ta differ a lots .
Gottanother post of yours all interjected into your response to me - gotta load it in now (my account crashed & Wayne just fixed it allowing me to log in).

[Gogar]

I met Ike and "Gina" Turner at a gig a few years ago, when his band opened for ours. All I can say is that he had an undeniable, commanding presence. I've never before or since been so intimidated by a man in a marching band uniform.

RIP Ike, a fantastic musician.

[adrian jaye]

wife beating, coke head,

yeah sure his mama will miss him

[URY914]

Is it true he's going to be buried in a "wife beater".

[Nostril Cheese]

[TerryH]

Cocaine overdose at 76. Is there an age where bad habits really don't matter any more?

[K. Roman]

Who hasn't raised a hand?

[tchanson]

How I'd like to remember Ike...











Tim

[Sonic dB]

Anyone else catch the Tina Turner on Biography channel last week.
it was good.

[URY914]

76 and still doing coke.

[DonDavis]

Originally Posted by K. Roman

Who hasn't raised a hand?

Against a woman? I've never even come close to hitting a woman. Saw too much of that as kid, IYKWIM.

I'm curious though, what kind of man was Ike after all that mess with Tina? Did he continue to abuse other women or did he learn his lesson? In the 30+ years since, has he done anything to change his ways and if so, should he be remembered for something besides knocking Tina around?

[Superman]

I'm not impressed by wife-beaters either. Then again, we all have our baggage. And more importantly, I have been asked not to judge other humans. Ike's violence is between him and his Maker. None of my business. Or yours.