Tina Turner's Ex, Ike Dead At 76

Rock 'n' Roll Pioneer Ike Turner Dies at 76

SAN DIEGO (Dec. 12) - Ike Turner, whose role as one of rock's critical architects was overshadowed by his ogrelike image as the man who brutally abused former wife Tina Turner , died Wednesday at his home in suburban San Diego. He was 76.

Turner died at his San Marcos home, Scott M. Hanover of Thrill Entertainment Group, which managed Turner's career, told The Associated Press.

There was no immediate word on the cause of death, which was first reported by celebrity Web site TMZ.com.

Turner managed to rehabilitate his image somewhat in later years, touring around the globe with his band the Kings of Rhythm and drawing critical acclaim for his work. He won a Grammy in 2007 in the traditional blues album category for "Risin' With the Blues."

But his image is forever identified as the drug-addicted, wife-abusing husband of Tina Turner. He was hauntingly portrayed by Laurence Fishburne in the movie "What's Love Got To Do With It," based on Tina Turner's autobiography.

Tina Turner declined to comment on her ex-husband's death.

For the rest of this story, go to Rock 'n' Roll Pioneer Ike Turner Dies at 76 - AOL News

I did have the chance to meet Ike Turner back in the day when he and Tina first were getting started and made their first appearance in New York City at the Apollo Theatre. Though I was still a kid then, I was just starting to learn to play guitar. I learned some nice licks from watching Ike. I did have the occassion to run into him years later when I started playing and touring around the country with various artist. To me, Ike was no different than any of the other artist of the time. His personality fit right in with the likes of Wilson Pickett, Billy Stewart, James Brown, Gene Chandler or any of the other performers.

Thanks for the great music YOU produced Ike. See YOU on the other side.

Blues, R&B & Rock Rule,

Bobby Sharpe BobbySharpe.blogspot.com Dragon, Book of Shang

R and B Legends Bo Diddley & Ike Turner

Diddley Improves After Suffering Stroke
By ERIC OLSON



OMAHA, Neb. (AP) - Four days after suffering a stroke, Bo Diddley walked around the intensive-care unit at Creighton University Medical Center, and doctors were encouraged that the singer-songwriter-guitarist would be able to perform again, his manager said.

The 78-year-old Diddley told his audience that he wasn't feeling well during a show in Council Bluffs, Iowa, on Saturday night. Diddley's manager, Margo Lewis, said she had the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer taken to the hospital by ambulance when he appeared disoriented at the Omaha airport on Sunday.

Though Diddley's speech is impaired, he's made significant progress.
"We're going to get a guitar for him and put it in his lap and let him entertain people here," Lewis said from the hospital. "People think that would be good therapy for him."

Diddley, with his black glasses and low-slung guitar, has been an icon in the music industry since he topped the R&B charts with "Bo Diddley" in 1955. His other hits include "Who Do You Love,""Before You Accuse Me,""Mona" and "I'm a Man."

Diddley was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and was given a lifetime achievement Grammy in 1998.

Lewis said it's uncertain how long Diddley, who has a history of hypertension and diabetes, will be hospitalized in Omaha.

He played two Saturday night shows at Harrah's Horseshoe Casino in Council Bluffs. He planned to fly home to Archer, Fla., before starting a monthlong tour of the Midwest and United Kingdom on May 20 in Dallas.

Those shows are canceled, Lewis said, but she believes Diddley will sing again, even though he'll require speech therapy first.

"Singing a song is different than speaking," she said. "Even when there is a problem with speaking, or hesitancy, we've seen where people can sing perfectly."

Ike Turner Jailed on Old Warrant in LA

LOS ANGELES (AP) - Ike Turner spent a night in jail after he was arrested on a 1989 narcotics warrant that turned out to be invalid, police said.

The 75-year-old musician and ex-husband of Tina Turner was spotted on Interstate 405 in the San Fernando Valley about 11:45 p.m. Tuesday.

Police officers saw his 2002 silver Mercedes-Benz S-50 doing more than 80 mph and straddling lanes, Officer April Harding said Thursday.

The car was stopped after it left the freeway and officers ran a check for warrants, which is routine, Harding said.

They found he had an old felony narcotics warrant and Turner was arrested and booked into a downtown jail, Harding said.

"He had court yesterday and I guess that they deemed it was an old warrant that was never removed from the system," Harding said.

Turner was freed from jail about 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Turner first appeared in Superior Court on the warrant in December 1989 and the warrant was recalled that same day, said Mary Hearn, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Thought some of YOU music fans and historians might like to see what is up with a couple music "legends". My best wishes go out to Bo and his family. Since I have had the pleasure of doing numerous gigs with him over the years, I want the best for a friend and all around great soul/human being.

Here is a link to the latest update on Bo Diddley's condition as of May 21, 2007.
iWon News - Bo Diddley to Move Out of Intensive Care

Peace & Soulz

Bobby Sharpe www.myspace.com/akuasharpe BobbySharpe.blogspot.com