Ike Turner

Influential R&B and Rock Pioneer

Ike Turner was an American musician, bandleader, songwriter, arranger, talent scout, and record producer. An early pioneer of 1950s rock and roll, he is most famous for his work in the 1960s and 1970s with his then-wife Tina Turner in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Ike's career began in the mid-1940s when he formed a group called the Kings of Rhythm. His first recording, "Rocket 88" credited to Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats, is often regarded as one of the first rock and roll records. Throughout his career, Ike was known for his hard-edged funk sound, aggressive guitar style, and production techniques. Despite his significant influence on music, his legacy is complicated by his turbulent marriage to Tina Turner and her allegations of abuse. Ike won several Grammy Awards in his lifetime and was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame with Tina Turner in 1991.