Ike Turner dead

gldstwmn · #1 12-12-2007, 04:43 PM

No link yet, banner headline at CNN.com.

#1LiddyBuckFan · #2 12-12-2007, 04:58 PM

Musician Ike Turner dies at 76 By ELLIOT SPAGAT,
Associated Press Writer

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 and icon Tina Turner, died Wednesday at his home in suburban San Diego. He was 76.

"He did pass away this morning" at his home in San Marcos, in northern San Diego County, 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 his later years, touring around the globe with his band the Kings of Rhythm and drawing critical acclaim for his work. 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, adding that 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.

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 singer 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.

gldstwmn · #3 12-12-2007, 05:18 PM

Wow, I didn't realize he was 76. I think he was lucky to be around that long, given the way he lived.

Villavic · #4 12-12-2007, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #1LiddyBuckFan

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, adding that his historic role in rock's beginnings had been ignored.
.

I agree media has the power to destroy anyone, but in this case I believe what the movie showed, and what Tina wrote in her autobio. Only they know the entire truth, but it looked very reliable in the book.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

Wow, I didn't realize he was 76. I think he was lucky to be around that long, given the way he lived.

I agree, when I just read the thread title, I made a surprise expression, my fellow at job asked me what was happening.
And even he seemed to be a bad guy, I felt a little sadness. Poor Ike.. I guess he never found hapiness. But Tina did it. She could get over it, survive, and found hapiness with herself.

Villavic · #5 12-12-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by #1LiddyBuckFan

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, adding that his historic role in rock's beginnings had been ignored.
.

I agree media has the power to destroy anyone, but in this case I believe what the movie showed, and what Tina wrote in her autobio. Only they know the entire truth, but it looked very reliable in the book.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

Wow, I didn't realize he was 76. I think he was lucky to be around that long, given the way he lived.

I agree, when I just read the thread title, I made a surprise expression, my fellow at job asked me what was happening.
And even he seemed to be a bad guy, I felt a little sadness. Poor Ike.. I guess he never found hapiness. But Tina did it. She could get over it, survive, and found hapiness with herself.

gldstwmn · #6 12-12-2007, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Villavic

I agree media has the power to destroy anyone, but in this case I believe what the movie showed, and what Tina wrote in her autobio. Only they know the entire truth, but it looked very reliable in the book.

I agree, when I just read the thread title, I made a surprise expression, my fellow at job asked me what was happening.
And even he seemed to be a bad guy, I felt a little sadness. Poor Ike.. I guess he never found hapiness. But Tina did it. She could get over it, survive, and found hapiness with herself.

Some industry people that once knew Ike told me that there were certain artistic liberties taken in the movie.

He was a talented guy.

markolas · #7 12-12-2007, 07:46 PM

Wow. I knew he was 76 - also, Tina is closing in on 70 - but it was unexpected. Bea Arthur is 85, but I'll be taken for a loop when she keels over, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gldstwmn

Some industry people that once knew Ike told me that there were certain artistic liberties taken in the movie.

Well, there were things in the movie that were not in the book - the rape scene in particular. Tina never claimed that he raped her.

BombaySapphire3 · #8 12-13-2007, 03:34 AM

Fuuny someone asked me if he was still alive just last week ..I responded yeah but he probably shouldn't be.

HejiraNYC · #9 12-13-2007, 02:21 PM

Funniest headline EVAH from today's New York Post:

No wonder the Post is the newspaper of record.

Strangely he was on Howard Stern's Sirius radio show a couple of weeks ago. In addition to confirming that he was still very, um, "active," he had on his young new wife and was about to go out on the road again soon. And apparently he was pretty well off financially, all things considered.

Let's just hope that Tina attends the funeral and gives a scenery-chewing eulogy like Cher!

kathy1 · #10 12-13-2007, 06:57 PM

i heard about that.

markolas · #11 12-13-2007, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Let's just hope that Tina attends the funeral and gives a scenery-chewing eulogy like Cher!

Oh, I seriously doubt that. She hasn't laid eyes on the man in 30 years (and while I don't think she hates him, I think it's a closed book, in her mind) and has been in a relationship with another man for the past 20. Cher, on the other hand, has gone through men like Kleenex.

kathy1 · #12 12-13-2007, 08:00 PM

i don't think that she will. her manager said that she hasn't seen him in 35 yrs and that she will not make any statements.

SortaSavageLike · #13 12-13-2007, 08:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kathy1

i don't think that she will. her manager said that she hasn't seen him in 35 yrs and that she will not make any statements.

Except, of course, "WOOOOOOOHOOOOOOO!!!"

Villavic · #14 12-14-2007, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HejiraNYC

Let's just hope that Tina attends the funeral and gives a scenery-chewing eulogy like Cher!

NO wwaaaaY!!!
CHer-Sony divorce was far different than the Tina-Ike. Cher always had feelings for Sonny, maybe not as lovers, but as good memories or friends, you could confirm that in the Letterman show (80s) when they were invited to sing I got you babe. They almost cried!!!

I read the book and I don't think Tina would accept to sing with Ike, not even 10 seconds!! I'm not saying that she still hated him, but I think she truly closed the chapter.