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Ike Turner

2001 marked the Golden Anniversary of a GOLD Record from an Era when Fifty-thousand 45’s was a BIG Seller. That 500K-selling single cut the edge of a new style before deejay Alan Freed named it: ROCK & ROLL. Sam Phillips, Sun Studios founder, tagged that Billboard #1 R&B Smash as the very first "Rock & Roll Recording". Every hell-raiser, hip-shaker, and hit-maker owes a nod to that teenager recognized by Rock historians as the "Father of Rock & Roll".

 

That Billboard bullet, "Rocket 88", was penned by a 19-year old boogie-woogie boy and his back-up band, "The Kings of Rhythm", for their first Sun Studios session in March 1951. B.B. King introduced the kid to Phillips, but he did not have a song - yet. So, on that rainy ride up Highway 61 to Memphis with their gear strapped on top, inspiration and lightening struck. The first muscle car - a highway cruiser - the hot, new, Oldsmobile "Rocket 88" was the subject and title of that historic #1 Hit. His lead vocalist, Jackie Brensten, and his side band, "The Delta Cats", were mistakenly credited with the song by Chess Records, who released it. But those that know Rock history know The Kings of Rhythm were the real rockers toiling in the shadows of their own success. That kid is referred to by Little Richard as "The Man". B.B. King proudly echoes, "He’s the best band leader I‘ve ever seen." The kid who became "The Man" is Ike Turner.

Turner full-tilt boogies throughout his Golden Anniversary record, "Here and Now". His first commercial release in 23 years, this Ikon Records debut received rave critical acclaim and a GRAMMY Nomination for BEST TRADTIONAL BLUES ALBUM in 2001. Likewise heralded by the 2002 W.C. HANDY BLUES AWARDS as a masterpiece, Turner was lauded with COMEBACK ALBUM OF THE YEAR AWARD and Nominated for BLUES ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR, SOUL/BLUES MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR, and SOUL/BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR.

 

Better known for his signature whammy-bar guitar, the bedazzling piano-man surprises many with his recently re-discovered piano roots. Turner’s first mentor was the legendary boogie-boss Pinetop Perkins, now 89. Turner and Pinetop united for an electrifying, tear-filled piano duet at the 2001 Chicago Blues Festival filmed for the Martin Scorsese Series "The Blues: Godfathers and Sons" currently airing nationwide on PBS channels.

Prior to migrating up-river to East St. Louis in 1954, Turner was a house boogie-woogie man in West Memphis "blacks only" clubs. A young, white truck driver often snuck in and hid next to the piano to study Ike’s boogie style and woogie-wild legs. That kid was Elvis Presley. The list of historical sessions he’s led with the likes of Elmore James, B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and a still continuing list of blues, rock, and R&B royalty is stunning. He is also noted for discovering, developing, and recording many legendary artists, such as Howlin ’ Wolf, Little Walter, Muddy Waters, and Little Milton.

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233
Album Review

Ike Turner: Risin' With The Blues

Read "Risin' With The Blues" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey


Ike Turner received a Grammy® Award for Best Traditional Blues Recording for Risin' with the Blues. Long seen as the failed husband of Tina Turner, and vilified in her biography, I, Tina (1986) and the biopic movie What's Love got to Do with It (1993), Ike Turner is nevertheless one of the most important rock 'n' roll pioneers alive.

Born in the mythic city of Clarksdale, Mississippi in 1931, Turner grew up around music, learning piano from the likes of ...

215
Album Review

Ike Turner: Risin' With The Blues

Read "Risin' With The Blues" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


It is no secret that Ike Turner has lived a very colorful life. He has seen it all: the struggle, the fame, the downward spiral, the besmirching of his name. But he has proved to be a fighter and a survivor. And now, at 75, he is back with a hell-raising album.

Turner has written a few classic songs and he continues to show that strength. In addition, he picks on some rhythm & blues standards, giving one ...

212
Album Review

Ike Turner: Risin

Read "Risin" reviewed by Nic Jones


This is how it is. Ike Turner sings like a good-time Captain Beefheart, and his guitar playing stings like inhaling lemonade. He's also one of the legends of popular music, whose course might have been different if it hadn't been for him. On this disc he plays like a man half his age and with a lust for life akin to a man fifty years younger.

Sure, the contemporary touches get in the way, and whilst the music is some ...

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138

Recording

Ike Turner - Here and Now (2001)

Ike Turner - Here and Now (2001)

Source: Something Else!

By Derrick Lord This was just what Ike Turner fans had been waiting for. The Clarksdale, Mississippi native returned to his roots with a barrel-house style blues recording that brought him back as a force on the music scene, earning two W.C. Handy Awards from the Blues Foundation for best traditional blues album and comeback album of the year in 2002. This edition of his Kings of Rhythm band sounded tight and Ike picked right back up where he left ...

212

Recording

Ike & Tina Turner Blue Thumb Years Reissued on Acrobat Music

Ike & Tina Turner Blue Thumb Years Reissued on Acrobat Music

Source: conqueroo

Album contains the hit “Bold Soul Sister” as well as live standards “The Hunter” and “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long”

NEW YORK, N.Y. — Although Ike Turner is often credited with recording the first rock ‘n’ roll song with 1951’s “Rocket 88,” his career took a leap when he met Anna Mae Bullock and re-named her Tina Turner. Their first collaboration was “A Fool in Love,” released in 1960 on Sue Records, and the two later hooked up with ...

143

Obituary

Music Legend Ike Turner Dies

Music Legend Ike Turner Dies

Source: All About Jazz

SAN DIEGO--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. who brutally abused former wife and rock icon Tina Turner, has died. Scott M. Hanover of Thrill Entertainment Group, which managed Turner's musical career, confirms Turner died this morning at his suburban San Diego home He was 76. There ...

243

Obituary

Ike Turner, Rock Pioneer and Ex-Husband of Tina Turner, Dead at 76

Ike Turner, Rock Pioneer and Ex-Husband of Tina Turner, Dead at 76

Source: All About Jazz

SAN DIEGO - 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 ...

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Recording

Ike Turner "Risin' with the Blues" Zoho Roots 200611 Street Date: September 14, 2006

Ike Turner "Risin' with the Blues" Zoho Roots 200611 Street Date: September 14, 2006

Source: All About Jazz

Zoho Roots Is Pleases To Announce Their Second Zoho Roots Release: Ike Turner Risin' with the Blues Zoho Roots 200611 Street Date: September 14, 2006 There is no denying Ike Turner's place in musical history. While the general public may know about his heyday with the Ike & Tina Turner Revue during the '60s (a meteroic rise to fame that peaked with their early '70 hits “Proud Mary" ...

"[Turner] proved he’s one of the greatest bluesmen this nation has produced." --Letta Tayler, NY Newsday "Clearly inspired, he switched from roadhouse keyboard to scorch guitar as the mood struck." --Billy Altman, Sonicnet "[Turner’s] rollicking piano and guitar playing erase[d] doubts about his past." --Ann Powers, New York Times

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