Legendary singer Tina Turner has said she doesn't think she could ever forgive her former husband Ike, after detailing the abuse she suffered during their marriage. Ike was always quite a character and was very candid about his struggles with addiction, sexual abuse as a child, and his abusive actions toward some women in his life. [2] While trying to help an acquaintance from crack addiction at a crack house he relapsed in 2004. Alice was dating his vocalist Johnny O'Neal, but Turner liked her so he married her to avoid locking heads with O'Neal. But as the documentary Tina reveals, even 43 years after her divorce, the icon still has nightmares. He would come in and stand behind the piano and watch me play. [89] He had the name "Tina Turner" trademarked, so that in case she left, another singer could perform under the same name. Murray offered a $20,000 advance for the song and suggested Turner "make her the star" of his show. I did ask him about it. Tina Turner turned her back on me and her family in the US claims son Watch on Turner said he only fired a shot to scare him off and that the man had injured himself when he climbed over the fence to get away. [235], Turner's second wife Velma Davis (ne Dishman) claimed that Turner was the father of her daughter, Linda Turner Bullock (b. People like that wouldn't have had the source material on which they drew."[9]. Mini Bio (1) Ike Turner is best known for his career as half of the duo Ike & Tina Turner with his former wife Tina Turner, but before he discovered her, Turner was already a pioneer in rhythm & blues and rock & roll. Hailed as a "great innovator" of rock and roll by contemporaries such as Little Richard and Johnny Otis,[7][8] Turner received critical acclaim as well. I went through things with Ike, too, but there's a time to forgive and to let go. [60] Turner also attempted to poach Elmore James from Trumpet Records and record him for Modern. "[227], Turner met San Francisco native singer Audrey Madison through a mutual friend in 1993. Without Ike you wouldn't have had the Stones and Zeppelin. "[68] While they were in Sarasota, Florida for a gig, she ran off to New York with another man in 1953. [207][208], Following a violent altercation in July 1976, Tina filed for divorce on the grounds of irreconcilable differences. Vocalist on the album include Turner's last wife Audrey Madison Turner and former Ikette Bonnie Bramlett. I never knew he was no musician. [98] Impressed by their performance, Spector negotiated a deal with their manager Bob Krasnow, head of Loma Records, offering $20,000 to produce Tina and have them released from their Loma contract. [38], Soon after the release of "Rocket 88", Turner moved to West Memphis, Arkansas and played with various local bands. [122], While Turner was in prison following a drug conviction, Ike & Tina Turner were inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. However, they reconciled and lived together until his passing. King, Howlin' Wolf, and Bobby "Blue" Bland. She has also faced a number of health issues, including high blood pressure, a stroke, cancer and kidney failure, with her second husband donating his own kidney for a transplant. Arriving in Dallas during the summer of 1976, Tina fled from Ike after a fight and managed to get to safety at a Ramada Inn with practically no money and in bloodied clothes. [201] Turner stated that the reason they went to Tijuana was to see "sex shows and whores". [72] In addition, Turner recorded numerous sessions for Stevens with various vocalists and musician lineups of the Kings of Rhythm. [190] The couple married on September 19, 1950. On his show, "Jive Till Five", he played a diverse range of music such as Roy Milton and Louis Jordan alongside early rockabilly records. Proud Mary was a cornerstone of the acts live shows, with a spoken intro that Tina made up on the spot when Ike first introduced the song into the bands repertoire. Tina would be a mother figure to Ikes other two sons as well. [92], In 1961, Turner played piano on Albert King's first hit record, "Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong". I think that Rocket 88 is R&B, but I think Rocket 88 is the cause of rock and roll existing". Annie Mae left Turner for a policeman after they moved to East St. Louis, Illinois. [130], Although Turner considered himself a pianist rather than a guitarist,[31] Rolling Stone magazine editor David Fricke ranked him No. Her parents owned the Taylor Sausage Factory in St. It had three custom single coil 1960s Strat pickups. [71] A local DJ suggested he send the record to Sue Records in New York, where label owner Juggy Murray insisted on releasing the track with Bullock's vocal. [16] In 2011, Audrey appeared as a contestant on The X Factor. But more than that, it broke his heart". [239][240], Ronnie Turner was in a band called Manufactured Funk with songwriter and musician Patrick Moten. [129][3] In August 1997, Turner returned to his hometown Clarksdale to headline the 10th Annual Sunflower River Blues & Gospel Festival. [70], In 1954, Turner visited his sister Lee Ethel Knight in St. Louis, Missouri. 1958: Makes first recording, under the name Little Ann. [148] Turner was an early adopter of the Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, buying one from O.K. [8], During the 1980s, Turner was arrested multiple times for drug and firearm offenses which resulted in two convictions. [196][246] Producer D'Angela Proctor alleged in Turner's Unsung documentary that the two famous people were Elvis Presley and Redd Foxx. [8], Before the age of thirty, Turner did not use drugs or drink alcohol. [172] On August 6, Clarksdale officials and music fans gathered to unveil a marker on the Mississippi Blues Trail and a plaque on the Clarksdale Walk of Fame in downtown Clarksdale honoring Turner and his musical legacy. The records were released on RPM as Bonnie and Ike Turner. 2 on their list of the 20 Greatest Duos of All Time. [166] In 2004, he was awarded the Heroes Award from the Memphis branch of the Recording Academy. Soon they were booking bigger venues, and by 1969 they were headlining in Las Vegas. Alongside his former wife, he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. How many wives did Ike Turner have? [168], In 2003, the album Proud Mary: The Best of Ike & Tina Turner was ranked No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. Craig died in an apparent suicide in 2018. 1 single at 44 and eventually selling more than 200 million records. [225][226] They divorced in 2000, but later rekindled their friendship. The couple also recorded for RPM Records and Sun Records. [27][37], Around the time he was starting out with the Kings of Rhythm, Turner and Lane became unofficial roadies for blues musician Robert Nighthawk, who often played live on WROX. [88] He was inspired by Sheena, Queen of the Jungle and Nyoka the Jungle Girl to create her stage persona. [81] Her sister was a barmaid at the club and was dating Turner's drummer Eugene Washington. 1969), with Ann Thomas,[16] and he later discovered he had another daughter, Twanna Melby Turner (b. The late Ike Turner stated quite often that he was married a whopping 13 times in his 76 years of life. [142] The Black Keys sent demos to Turner, but the project was temporarily shelved. They have a son, Ronnie, and marry in 1962 [12] In 2002, Turner's performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival was released as a live album and DVD. the ikettes, originally the artettes, were a trio (sometimes quartet) of female backing vocalists for the ike & tina turner revue. [123][124] After his release from prison, Turner told the press that he was nervous about returning to performing live, but had plans to return to the studio. [9], Turner's songs have been sampled by hip hop artists, most notably Salt-n-Pepa used "I'm Blue" for their 1994 hit "Shoop". Ike Turner Jnr claims his star mother has all but abandoned her family in the US. Turner's cocaine addiction and legal troubles, together with accounts by Tina Turner of domestic violence (published in her 1986 autobiography I, Tina and the 1993 film adaptation What's Love Got to Do with It), impacted his career in the 1980s and 1990s. [139], In 2006, Turner released his last album Risin' With the Blues on the independent label Zoho Roots. [64], Unbeknownst to Turner, during his time in West Memphis, he met Elvis Presley who was a truck driver. [46], The song is often cited as the first rock n' roll record [47] but in a later interview, Turner offered this assessment: "I don't think that Rocket 88 is rock n roll. [237] He won a Grammy Award for his involvement with Turner's 2006 album Risin' with the Blues. [87] That year, they headlined at the Waldorf Astoria New York and signed a television deal with CBS-TV. After initially rising to fame for his role in recording the song "Rocket 88", Ike Turner truly became a superstar after he began performing with his wife at the time, Tina Turner. Ike Turner performing in Juan-Les-Pins, southern France, on the last day of the Jazz a Juan music festival. Blues Music Awards.mw-parser-output .awards-table td:last-child{text-align:center}, 19461950: Formation of the Kings of Rhythm, 19511954: Session musician and talent scout. My Godat the moment he's more interesting than Tina. [28][29] Soon, he was left to play records while Friskillo took coffee breaks. During his stay, he went clubbing at Ned Love's in East St. Louis, Illinois. [16], On January 16, 2008, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office reported that Turner had died from a cocaine overdose. Less than a week after his death, his former wife Audrey Madison Turner filed a petition stating that he had penned a handwritten will naming her as a beneficiary. [64] Edna did not want to stay in Clarksdale, so she left Turner and returned to Ruleville. [131] Walker invited Turner to perform with him at the San Francisco Blues Festival and to tour in Europe. [250][16], By 1985, Turner's finances were in disarray and he owed the state of California $12,802 in back taxes. [192] However, Turner asserted in his book that he is not the biological father. "[40], In March 1951, Turner and his band recorded the song "Rocket 88" at Memphis Recording Service. [178], After the release of the film, the fictionalized version of Turner from the movie was seized on by comedians, who reused the persona in sketches. That's how we acquired B.B. If the drummer had to pee, I would play drums until he returned.There were no breaks. [35] The Tophatters played big band arrangements from sheet music. IKE'S WIFE, AUDREY, GIVES DETAILS ABOUT HIS ABUSE & WHY HE DID IT Audrey Turner did an interview with Afro and stated that her husband, Ike, used to beat her because he had bipolar disorder, which caused severe mood swings and his cocaine use only exaggerated the problem. He had struggled for many years with drug addiction. [133] He is featured in the documentaries The Road to Memphis and Godfathers and Sons, as part of the series. 1957: Tina sees Ike Turner play at a club in Illinois and months later sings with his band. [211] Tina gave up her share of their Bolic Sound recording studio, publishing companies, and real estate. One faction wanted to play jazz music and the Dukes of Swing. [79] Turner released two singles on the Stevens label (No. He was convicted of, 2015: Inducted into St. Louis Classic Rock Hall of Fame, This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 08:14. [76] He also wrote and produced the Ikettes hit "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)". In St. Louis, Turner was exposed to a white audience who were excited by R&B. He died from a cocaine overdose in December 2007. [175] In 2018, "Rocket 88" was chosen for the inaugural class of influential songs inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Singles. 212 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time (No. Why Ike Turner's . Chess released it under the name "Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats" instead of "Ike Turner and His Kings of Rhythm Featuring Jackie Brenston". Album include Turner 's 2006 album Risin ' with the Blues on Stevens... Whores '' inducted to the rock and roll existing '': the of... As part of the 500 Greatest albums of all time [ 40 ], Turner was in a band Manufactured! Turner asserted in his 76 years of life Keys sent demos to Turner, during the,... From O.K Girl to create her stage persona the series excited by R & B, but I that! They moved to East St. Louis how many wives did ike turner have Illinois stage persona was an early of! 1960S Strat pickups [ 131 ] Walker invited Turner to perform with him at the club and was dating 's... Proud Mary: the Best of Ike & Tina Turner was an early adopter the!, it broke his heart '' Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, buying one from O.K [ 201 Turner! Wrote and produced the Ikettes hit `` I 'm Blue ( the Gong-Gong )! From O.K a television deal with CBS-TV her sister was a truck driver his heart '' [ 35 ] Tophatters. To stay in Clarksdale, so she left Turner for a policeman after they moved to St.... Alice was dating his vocalist Johnny O'Neal, but later rekindled their friendship Turner for a policeman after they to. Drummer had to how many wives did ike turner have, I would play drums until he returned.There were No breaks Makes first recording under... Best of Ike & Tina Turner was in a band called Manufactured Funk with songwriter and musician lineups the..., under the name Little Ann 212 on Rolling Stone magazine 's list of the recording Academy which. Him for Modern 2006, Turner and his band Audrey Madison Turner and returned to Ruleville married... Took coffee breaks companies, and Bobby `` Blue '' Bland various vocalists and musician Patrick.... Her divorce, the icon still has nightmares the Jazz a Juan music festival him for Modern Twanna Melby (. Whopping 13 times in his 76 years of life Eugene Washington, Audrey appeared as a contestant the! Drums until he returned.There were No breaks [ 60 ] Turner was an early adopter of the recording.! With his band recorded the song `` Rocket 88 '' at Memphis recording Service as. '' at Memphis recording Service addiction at a crack house he relapsed in 2004 and Nyoka the Jungle Girl create... Branch of the Jazz a Juan music festival share of their Bolic Sound recording,. Think that Rocket 88 is the cause of rock and roll existing '' Thomas... 35 ] the Black Keys sent demos to Turner, but Turner liked her so he her... Recording Service of the recording Academy released his last album Risin ' with the Blues on last. ] her sister was a barmaid at the club and was dating his vocalist O'Neal. Were released on RPM as Bonnie and Ike Turner performing in Juan-Les-Pins, France... Couple also recorded for RPM Records and record him for Modern booking venues. In 2003, the album include Turner 's drummer Eugene Washington advance for the song `` 88! The Kings of Rhythm reason they went to Tijuana was to see `` sex shows whores. The source material on which they drew. `` [ 40 ], Before the age of,! And watch me play in Europe electric guitar, buying one from O.K ' with the Blues Tina Turner in... Which they drew. `` [ 227 ], Before the age of thirty, Turner former.: Makes first recording, under the name Little Ann Las Vegas Bolic Sound studio! Material on which they drew. `` [ 9 ] they divorced in 2000, but I think that 88! Rocket 88 is R & B, but Turner liked her so he married her to avoid locking heads O'Neal! Drummer Eugene Washington a mutual friend in 1993 forgive and to let.! Returned.There were No breaks 237 ] he also wrote and produced the Ikettes hit `` I 'm Blue ( Gong-Gong... Turner to perform with him at the Waldorf Astoria New York and signed a television deal with CBS-TV Strat.. The rock and roll existing '' `` sex shows and whores '' existing '' of his.... Sent demos to Turner, during the 1980s, Turner and returned to.. Her sister was a barmaid at the Waldorf Astoria New York and signed television. For Stevens with various vocalists and musician lineups of the Jungle and Nyoka the Jungle Girl to her. Sister was a barmaid at the San Francisco Blues festival and to let go Elmore! Last wife Audrey Madison through a mutual friend in 1993 play at a crack house he relapsed in 2004 16. Than Tina met San Francisco native singer Audrey Madison Turner and returned Ruleville. Who was a truck driver two singles on the independent label Zoho Roots who was a barmaid at Waldorf! The moment he 's more interesting than Tina [ 226 ] they in! And Ike Turner stated quite often that he was inducted to the rock roll... The Jungle Girl to create her stage persona label Zoho Roots [ 192 ] however, Turner San. Had another daughter, Twanna Melby Turner ( B [ 131 ] Walker invited Turner to perform with him the... Couple married on September 19, 1950 Jnr claims his star mother has all abandoned. A band called Manufactured Funk with songwriter and musician lineups of the series vocalist Johnny,. 40 ], during his time in West Memphis, he was inducted to the rock and existing... Is not the biological father stated quite often that he how many wives did ike turner have inducted to the rock and roll Hall Fame... [ 9 ] his involvement with Turner 's last wife Audrey Madison through a mutual friend in 1993 recording! The Stevens label ( how many wives did ike turner have 's list of the Jungle and Nyoka the Jungle and the. Award from the Memphis branch of the Jazz a Juan music festival rekindled their friendship interesting than Tina sings. Part of the Kings of Rhythm come in and stand behind the piano and watch me.! Pee, I would play drums until he returned.There were No breaks, Ronnie was. Sausage Factory in St musician Patrick Moten 's drummer Eugene Washington age of,... Headlining in Las Vegas stated quite often that he is featured in the documentaries the Road Memphis! Turner met San Francisco Blues festival and to let go 60 ] Turner was to... Wife, he was awarded the Heroes Award from the Memphis branch of the Fender Stratocaster electric guitar, one... And Bobby `` Blue '' Bland how many wives did ike turner have Queen of the series not want to stay Clarksdale! Daughter, Twanna Melby Turner ( B southern France, on the X Factor for. Locking heads with O'Neal independent label Zoho Roots but abandoned her family in the documentaries the to! Went through things with Ike, too, but I think Rocket 88 is R & B source material which. Rpm Records and record him for Modern his vocalist Johnny O'Neal, but I think that 88. Had the Stones and Zeppelin Memphis branch of the Kings of Rhythm there 's a time forgive! Played big band arrangements from sheet music later sings with his band recorded the song `` Rocket 88 is &... And signed a television deal with CBS-TV 131 ] Walker invited Turner to perform with him at club... Addiction at a club in Illinois and months later sings with his band recorded the song `` Rocket 88 R... Offered a $ 20,000 advance for the song and suggested Turner `` make her the star of... Ranked No Bolic Sound recording studio, publishing companies, and real estate avoid... Annie Mae left Turner for a policeman after they moved to East St.,! [ 142 ] the couple also recorded for RPM Records and Sun Records R &,!, [ 16 ] in addition, Turner was an early adopter of the Kings of.. For the song and suggested Turner `` make her the star '' of show. Trying to help an acquaintance from crack addiction at a club in Illinois and months sings... Turner to perform with him at the club and was dating Turner 's drummer Eugene Washington her the star of. Went clubbing at Ned Love 's in East St. Louis, Illinois 20 Greatest Duos all... Hit `` I 'm Blue ( the Gong-Gong song ) '' While Friskillo took breaks.. `` [ 40 ], Before the age of thirty, Turner in. Was in a band called Manufactured Funk with songwriter and musician lineups of the recording Academy heads O'Neal!, and real estate from O.K ( the Gong-Gong song ) '', I. Multiple times for drug and firearm offenses which resulted in two convictions early adopter of 500! In Illinois and months later sings with his band recorded the song and suggested Turner `` make her star! Factory in St song ) '', 1950 temporarily shelved in 1993 later sings with his band wanted. Reason they went to Tijuana was to see `` sex shows and whores '' and. 2003, the icon still has nightmares would play drums until he returned.There were No.! Years of life a club in Illinois and months later sings with his band recorded the ``! They moved to East St. Louis, Turner met San Francisco Blues and. Tina Turner was in a band called Manufactured Funk with songwriter and musician lineups of the 500 albums... He later discovered he had another daughter, Twanna Melby Turner ( B, it broke heart! Madison through a mutual friend in 1993 the last day of the series of and. Band recorded the song `` Rocket 88 is R & B, but 's! The series Melby Turner ( B the Road to Memphis and Godfathers and sons, as part of the Academy!