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Ike & Tina Turner

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Ike & Tina Turner was an American duo of the married couple Ike and Tina Turner. From 1960 to 1976 they performed as the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, with Ike's band the Kings of Rhythm and three backing singers, the Ikettes. Ike Turner came from Clarksdale in Mississippi and had built up his band in the St. Louis region. There the young Anna Mae Bullock sang along with him. In 1960 she recorded A Fool In Love, written by Ike, because the intended singer failed to show up. The record became a hit on the rhythm and blues charts in July 1960, and Ike gave her the stage name Tina.

Music and breakthrough

The success was followed by I Idolize You, It's Gonna Work Out Fine and Poor Fool. For years the troupe toured the United States and played for mixed audiences in the Deep South. In 1966 Phil Spector produced River Deep, Mountain High, a record that sold poorly in America but established their name in Europe, partly thanks to a tour with the Rolling Stones. Later they made soul versions of rock songs, such as Come Together and Honky Tonk Woman. Proud Mary earned a Grammy in 1972.

Influence

The music combined rhythm and blues, soul and rock with a tight horn section and elaborate dance routines. Ike and Tina were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991. Behind the successful show lay a violent marriage. Tina left Ike in 1976, which ended the duo.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Proud Mary and notice how it is built: the song starts quietly and almost politely and then turns into a much faster version. What happens to Tina's voice and to the backing singers?

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: Artists