This Day in History: 2007-12-12

Nov. 5, 1931 · Dec. 12, 2007
Ike Turner, American musician (Ike and Tina Turner – A Fool in Love), dies of cocaine overdose at 76.

Ike Turner was a controversial character. He was accused of abusing his then spouse Tina Turner claiming it was done for her own good!?. Ike was married fourteen times, so he claimed. He often married another woman before divorcing his previous wife. he said: “You gave a preacher $2, the papers cost $3, that was it. In those days blacks didn’t bother with divorces.” Ike was also responsible for, arguably, the first rock and roll song “Rocket 88” by Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats. The song was recording at Sun Studios in Memphis Tennessee on March 3rd or 5th 1951. Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats was really Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm!. Jackie is listed as the song writer but it was Ike who composed the tune.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gbfnh1oVTk0&feature=emb_logo