Ike Turner, who had expressed frustration through the years because his personal life overshadowed his professional one, died today at the age of 76. I watched a lot of Ike Turner in the early years, but I was surprised to learn he was 76, I thought he was younger.
Turner was the former husband of another rock star, Tina Turner, who alleged she had been abused by Turner through the years, much of which tainted his contribution to rock music.
He expressed his frustration saying, "You can go ask Snoop Dogg or Eminem, you can ask the Rolling Stones or Clapton, or you can ask anybody -- anybody, they all know my contribution to music, but it hasn't been in print about what I've done or what I've contributed until now."
A large number of rock historians give Ike Turner credit for releasing the first rock 'n' roll record, "Rocket 88," in 1951. One reason it's not that well known, is singer Jackie Brenston was given credit, while being recorded with Turner's band. Sam Philips was the producer of that single.
Turner won a Grammy in 2007 for his Risin' With the Blues, in the album category of traditional blues.
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