It’s too bad that, when people remember Ike Turner, who died today at 76, they’re more likely to think "the guy who battered his wife, Tina," than "the guy who pretty much invented rock ‘n’ roll." He did it as the guitarist on a 1951 tune called "Rocket 88," produced by Sam Phillips, who would later produce Elvis’ first records and those of many other rock pioneers. The disc was credited to the singer, Jackie Brenston, but it was Turner who was the song’s sonic architect and the player of its innovative, distorted electric guitar.
Later, of course, Ike would discover a teenage thrush named Anna Mae Bullock, marry her, and transform her into Tina Turner. He crafted their sound and their celebrated stage routine, and the couple’s two-decade partnership had a profound influence on every R&B/soul diva who followed in Tina’s stiletto’d footsteps (not to mention on Mick Jagger). Later still, long after Tina’s departure and her well-publicized claims of abuse (which Ike denied or dismissed), and long after most of the public had written him off, he continued to play club dates, as he had for more than 50 years, even winning a Grammy this year in the traditional blues category for his album Risin’ With the Blues. He had the respect of his fellow musicians, though he complained he never got proper credit from a public and press that had sided with Tina. Maybe now he’ll get that credit from posterity.
Comments (1-30) of 33
it’s hard to look past what ike did to tina, but it made her the strong, vital woman she became. also, he was quite talented. i’m sure tina forgave him, so we should as well. r.i.p.
He never took responsibility for his actions, but the music is undeniable. He will forever be the man who really created a whole genre of music.
No, I think a lot of time will need to pass before Ike Turner is heralded for his work, his personal actions speaking so loudly about his character.
Rest in peace, Ike, and thanks for the music
RIP Ike Turner! Thanks for introducing the world to Tina Turner & Leaving a mark on black music!
Regardless of what some think of him….he and James Brown and some others were definitely the innovators of soul, R&B, and rock and roll. They weren’t the best men on earth, but they knew how to rock an audience.
“I’m sure Tina forgave him”?, “Tina’s claims of abuse”?
I have no problem giving musical credit where credit is due, but to minimise domestic violence as if it was a bad habit is wrong. To also imply that Tina’s accusations are somehow in dispute stinks royally. Come on people, get with the times! Just because a man was a genius doesn’t give him the right to treat his wife like a second class citizen.
Wife-Beater. Period. Don’t sugar coat it.
I think he is just another musician with just as many inner demons as talent. Unfortunately, he took them out on Tina Turner. His death won’t change people’s opinions of him.
Why is it “too bad” that being famous and influential does not mean you get a free pass on everything else? What sort of message is that– you can do whatever you want to other people, as long as you’re professionally successful? (And yes, I know that in a lot of ways that seems to be how the world works, but that doesn’t mean I think it’s right.)
Ike Turner was a creative force in the music world.
But that’s no excuse for being a monster at home. The more we rationalize violence, the more violence spreads unchecked.
i’m not trying to sugar-coat anything here guys. i’m not a religous person, but part of what life is about is forgiveness. i’m not saying she’ll ever forget it or that he gets a “free pass” because he did it, but something, somewhere triggered his behavior. he’ll face the final judgement wherever he is, but part of moving on is forgiving in your heart and soul, and with the strong woman tina is, i think she has the strength to do that. personally i think beating anyone is disgusting, but he knows that now
If Tina, the victim of his demons, can find it in her heart to forgive and even credit him, then so can I.
Rest in Peace, Ike. You were a madman and a maverick and I’m sure you will be missed.
I have been surprised by the tone in all the Ike Turner notices I’ve read. Tina’s account of her abuse has been repeatedly addressed as if it was just an accusation that she made for the hell of it. Even here it is her “her well-publicized claims of abuse” rather than her well-publicized abuse. Huge difference in that wording. I have no problem acknowledging Ike’s contributions to music while at the same time condemning his abusive actions. I wonder why all the people writing these stories of his death can’t embrace both concepts? Tina’s strength and survival deserves so much more than this repeated dismissive attitude.
Boy a lot of people invented rock and roll. Little Richard, Chuck Berry and now Ike Turner. Well I say give the man his props. I am not a judge or jury and don’t know the veracity or the extent of Tina’s claims. But Tina forgave him. The world never did. Kobe is a rapist. O.J. is a murderer. Yet Ike is still vilified.
You know, I fail to see the point in this being posted, as the article in the ‘Music News’ section of this website ALSO says essentially the same thing and has the exact same point.
Spousal abuse being glossed over.
And both articles written by men. Hmm. I wonder if any women will write articles crying over Ike’s tarnished reputation.
It’s posted here for the Popwatch readers to comment on. Take a happy pill.
It’s hard not to watch old film of Tina laying it down on stage and thinking about the abuse she faced at home. Doing bad things does taint your legacy. As it should.
It’s hard not to watch old film of Tina laying it down on stage and thinking about the abuse she faced at home. Doing bad things does taint your legacy. As it should.
Did Ike write Hit Me Baby One More Time for Brit?
To Bobby:
The reason the press talks about “well-publicized claims of abuse” instead of “abuse” probably has more to do with the lack of a guilty plea or verdict than with their lack of acknowledgment. The fact that they’re bringing it up at all means they acknowledge it. Journalism 101 tells you that you can never say someone is guilty of a crime unless they have been found guilty in court. Your (the reporter’s) beliefs on the subject are irrelevant.
Thanks for the lesson but I don’t care what you say. O.J. is guilty and everybody says it!!
Sorry…. I have no sympathy for a man who beat the crap out of his wife for 2 decades.
It’s too bad, because he and Tina totally rocked as a stage act.
No Iggy, I believe tha
Sorry. Hit the wrong key. What I meant was that I think that he wrote “Smack that b-tch up” by Prodigy and in return Tina and Queen Latifah stepped up to bat and said, “who you callin’ a b-tch?!”
I think that question still is: if Ike was not so hopped up on drugs would he have been a great musician?
I agree with the majority of the posters here; Ike was a talented musician, groundbreaking either, bu the reapred what he sowed; he was a wife beater, and that can’t…or shouldn’t….be forgotten either….
Lol. Sorry about my typing, everyone. That mangled phrase should read ‘ but he reaped what he sowed.’
Don’t quote me on this, but I think Ike did actually make a public apology for and acknowledgment of his actions earlier this year. Anyway, still a music legend. Flawed, and even monstrous, but a legend nonetheless.
Turn to the person u love and slap that b@#ch one time in memory of Ike Turner! R.I.P. “Eat the cake Anna Mae, EAT DA DAM CAKE!”
Remember when Jesus said, “He who is without sin, let them cast the first stone.?” The perfect human is yet to be found. Everyone has problems and issues that they may need deliverance from. Deliverance will come through prayer and forgiveness for not just others but for yourself as well. It’s very unfortunate that more people will remember Ike Turner for all the wrong he done to Tina but what people should remember is that, we will all be held accountable and judged for the bad choices we’ve made in our lives and I want everyone to know how important forgiveness is. It’s rare to come across a person that believes completly in forgiveness, why don’t you try to become one? May he rest in peace and my prayers are with his family.
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