Ike Turner

Ike Turner, born Izear Luster Turner Jr. on 1931-11-05 in Clarksdale, Mississippi, emerged as a pioneering force in the birth of rock‑and‑roll, initially gaining fame with his band the Kings of Rhythm and the groundbreaking 1951 record “Rocket 88,” often cited as a contender for the first rock‑and‑roll single. As a musician, bandleader, songwriter, record producer, and talent scout, he helped launch the careers of blues legends such as B.B. King, Howlin’ Wolf, and Bobby “Blue” Bland while working for Sun Records and Modern Records throughout the 1950s. Relocating to East St. Louis in 1954, Turner built a disciplined, all‑night performance circuit that earned his group a reputation as one of the most formidable R&B acts in the Midwest, eventually leading to the formation of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue in 1960 after discovering Ann Bullock and renaming her Tina Turner. The Revue’s electrifying blend of soul, rock, and pop produced numerous hits—most notably “Proud Mary” and “River Deep – Mountain High”—and secured Grammy Awards, Hall of Fame inductions, and worldwide tours, including opening for the Rolling Stones in 1969. Turner also established the state‑of‑the‑art Bolic Sound studio in Inglewood, recording artists from Paul McCartney to the Gorillaz, and later revived his blues roots with acclaimed albums Here and Now (2001) and Risin’ with the Blues (2006), the latter earning a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album. Despite his musical triumphs, Turner’s career was marred by a long‑standing cocaine addiction, multiple legal convictions, and widely publicized accounts of domestic violence toward Tina Turner, which culminated in their 1976 divorce and a lasting impact on his public legacy. In his final years he battled emphysema and mental‑health challenges, ultimately dying of a cocaine overdose on 2007-12-12 in San Marcos, California, leaving behind a complex legacy of innovation, influence, and controversy that continues to shape the narrative of American popular music.