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Ike Turner Dead at 76

Musical legend gained infamy as Tina's abusive husband

By John Johnson,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 12, 2007 4:07 PM CST

(Newser) – Ike Turner, who gained nearly as much fame for his pioneering rock and soul music as he did being Tina Turner's abusive husband, died at age 76 today, the AP reports. The cause of death was not immediately known. Turner teamed with Tina for a series of powerful hits in the 1960s and '70s, including "River Deep, Mountain High" and their signature cover, "Proud Mary."

She divorced him in 1976, and soon his drug abuse and volatile treatment of her during their marriage became common knowledge. Turner had revived his career of late, earning a Grammy last year for a blues album. Many rock historians view his seminal 1951 album, Rocket 88, as the first rock and roll album, the AP notes. He didn't gain acclaim, however, until he met 18-year-old Tina in 1959 and made her lead singer of his group.

Ike Turner performs during the Ike Turner and The Kings of Rhythm concert at the Stravinski hall stage of the Montreux Jazz Festival, in Montreux, Switzerland, in this, July 19, 2002, file photo. Turner, whose role as one of rock's critical architects was overshadowed by his ogre-like image as the...
Ike Turner performs during the "Ike Turner and The Kings of Rhythm" concert at the Stravinski hall stage of the Montreux Jazz Festival, in Montreux, Switzerland, in this, July 19, 2002, file photo. Turner,...   (Associated Press)
This undated file photo shows R&B singers Ike and Tina Turner. Turner, whose role as one of rock's critical architects was overshadowed by his ogre-like image as the man who brutally abused former wife and rock icon Tina Turner, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, at his home in suburban San...
This undated file photo shows R&B singers Ike and Tina Turner. Turner, whose role as one of rock's critical architects was overshadowed by his ogre-like image as the man who brutally abused former wife...   (Associated Press)
Tina and Ike Turner perform on stage in this 1966, file photo. Turner, whose role as one of rock's critical architects was overshadowed by his ogre-like image as the man who brutally abused former wife and rock icon Tina Turner, died Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007, at his home in suburban...
Tina and Ike Turner perform on stage in this 1966, file photo. Turner, whose role as one of rock's critical architects was overshadowed by his ogre-like image as the man who brutally abused former wife...   (Associated Press)
Ike Turner performs during the Ike Turner and The Kings of Rhythm concert at the Stravinski hall stage of the Montreux Jazz Festival, in Montreux, Switzerland, in this July 19, 2002, file photo. Turner, whose role as one of rock's critical architects was overshadowed by his ogre-like image as the...
Ike Turner performs during the "Ike Turner and The Kings of Rhythm" concert at the Stravinski hall stage of the Montreux Jazz Festival, in Montreux, Switzerland, in this July 19, 2002, file photo. Turner,...   (Associated Press)
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Ike and Tina with "Medley" in 1966.   (bakabana1966 (YouTube))
Ike Turner performing in 2005.   (slaphangover (YouTube))

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