Tina Turner

The Queen of Rock 'n' Roll

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Ike & Tina Turner

Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939) started out her music career with husband Ike as a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.

Throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s, Ike and Tina rose to stardom. As times and musical styles changed, Tina developed a unique stage persona as a singer-dancer-performer which thrilled audiences of the group's live concerts. Tina and the Revue's backup singers, the Ikettes, wove intricate and electrifying dance routines into their performances and influenced many other artists, including Mick Jagger (for whose 1966 UK tour they opened).

Ike and Tina Turner recorded a string of hits in the 1960s, including "A Fool in Love", "It's Gonna Work Out Fine", "I Idolize You", and the groundbreaking "River Deep, Mountain High" with producer Phil Spector in his Wall of Sound style.

By the end of the decade, the couple incorporated modern rock styles into their act and began including their interpretations of "Come Together", "Honky Tonk Woman", and "I Want to Take You Higher" to their stage show.

Their high-energy cover version of Creedence Clearwater Revival's 1968 "Proud Mary" remains Turner's signature hit and one of her longest enduring standards. "Proud Mary" was the duo's greatest commercial success, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1971. The single eventually won a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.

Ike acted as the group's manager and musical director, making all decisions and ruling the act with an iron fist. While he was a fine musician and an early rock 'n' roll influence, Ike's control of the Revue's management, recording contracts and performances eventually led to their decline as his drug abuse worsened. This controlling (and often violent) atmosphere caused the musicians and backup singers to come and go frequently. Tina later reported being isolated and physically abused by Ike on a regular basis for most of their marriage.

With the publication of her autobiography I, Tina: My Life Story (1986), Turner revealed severe instances of spousal abuse against her by Ike Turner prior to their 1976 split and subsequent 1978 divorce.


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Recommended Reading:

"I, Tina: My Life Story - by Tina Turner, Kurt Loder" - In this book you will find a wonderful tale about a wonderful woman. From modest beginnings to becoming the rage of three generations, to bursting through in 1985 and sweeping the Grammy awards with her album Private Dancer, Tina Turner is a true rock survivor, and in this candid autobiography, Tina tells it the way it is.

Did You Know?

The first time Tina Turner performed song "A Fool in Love" on national television was on the October 3, 1960 episode of American Bandstand, while she was nine months pregnant with Ike's child. Also Tina performed this song during her 2000 concert tour, and her performance of this song can be seen on the One Last Time concert DVD, from her Twenty Four Seven Tour.

The song "A Fool in Love" originally wasn't supposed to include vocals by Tina, who was then pregnant with Ike's child. When he went to review the song before erasing her vocals out, however, he heard Tina's soulful interpretation of it and was so inspired that he left it in, in the process changing the course of both of their careers.

The album "River Deep: Mounain High" by Ike and Tina Turner is one of the most influential albums of all time and is a highlight of Phil Spector's career.

In 1991, Ike and Tina Turner were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Phil Spector accepted the award on their behalf.