TINA TURNER

Young Anna Mae started working with Ike Turner in 1958. Ike changed her stage name to Tina Turner. They later married in 1962. She began as an occasional vocalist in his show at the age of 18, but within a couple of years she not only had a new name, but was the spotlight of a popular soul revue led by Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm.

When a singer was scheduled to record the famous R&B song, "A Fool In Love", didn't appear, Tina stepped in and recorded the song instead. "A Fool In Love" was a huge R&B hit, and it crossed over and made it into the top 30 of the U.S pop chart. After this, Ike changed the name of his band to the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. Throughout the 1960s and into the 1970s Ike & Tina rose into superstardom. As times and musical styles changes, Tina developed a unique stage persona as a singer/dancer/performer that people very much enjoyed in live concert. Tina and the Revue's backup singers, The Ikettes, wove intricate and electifying dance routines into their performances, which influenced many other artists, including Mick Jagger (for whose Rolling Stones 1969 American Tour they opened). Ike and Tina Turner recorded a string of hits in the 1960s and early 1970s, including "A Fool In Love," "It's Gonna Work Out Fine," "I Idolize You," "Nutbush City Limits," and "River Deep - Mountain High" with producer Phil Spector in his Wall of sound style. They also carved out a successful niche for themselves by "covering" songs made popular by other artists, such as "Come Together", "Honky Tonk Woman", "I Want to Take You Higher". In fact, their signature hit became their high energy cover version of Creedence Clearwater Revival's 1968 "Proud Mary". "Proud Mary" was the duo's greatest commercial successes, peaking at number four in March 1971.

While many of their original recordings failed to chart, by the late 1960s and early 1970s the Ike and Tina Turner Revue was well known for their live act and electrifying television appearances. Their supporters included The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, Sly Stone, Janis Joplin, Cher, James Brown, Ray Charles, Elton John and Elvis Presley. They were always performing anywhere and everywhere. A one night gig at a small predomininately black supper club in the South could be followed up in the same week with a show at a major venue in Las Vegas or a national TV appearance. Ike acted as the groups' manager and lead musical director, calling all the shots and ruling the act (and Tina) with an iron hand. While a fine musician and an early rock and roll influence, Ike's control of the Revue's management, recording contracts and performances eventually led to their decline, as his drug abuse worsened. This controlling (and often violent) atmosphere caused the musicians and backup singers to frequently come and go, and Tina later reported being isolated and physically abused by Ike on a regular basis for most of their marriage.

Ike and Tina had one child together, born in 1960, although their extended family consisted of two older sons of Ike's from a previous relationship and a son whom Tina bore in 1958 by Raymond Hill, a onetime saxophone player in Ike Turner's band.