There’s really no better way to put it than the AP opener:
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 Tina Turner, died Wednesday at his home in suburban San Diego. He was 76.
Ike Turner was involved in a record that some historians call the first, or one of the first, true rock songs: “Rocket 88”, by Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats. Turner used a distorted sound on the guitar, something that reportedly happened by accident when one of the guitar amps fell over. If that’s true, what an accident, right? But of course, he was a real jerk to Tina, and you can’t help but think about Laurence Fishburne’s harrowing portrayal of the guy in “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” While Turner always denied abusing his wife, I think everybody believes Tina on that score, and jeez, who doesn’t love Tina Turner, it’s like beating up the Statue of Liberty. So, rest in peace.
Here’s Ike and Tina doing “Proud Mary.”
