EAT THE CAKE, ANA MAE
Ike Wister Turner (November 5, 1931 – December 12, 2007) was an American musician, bandleader, talent scout, and record producer, best known for his work with his former wife Tina Turner as one half of the Ike & Tina Turner duo. Spanning a career that lasted half a century, Ike’s repertoire included blues, soul, rock, and funk. Alongside his former wife, he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 and in 2001 was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Turner died at 76 years old at his home in San Marcos, California, near San Diego.
Okay. Now that we have the official stuff down-let’s get down to the nitty gritty. How effed up is it to better known for beating someone’s ass than lauded for your God given talent and contribution to the music industry? Hell, I didn’t know he won a grammy earlier this year-I didn’t know he was still putting out music.
With Tina Turner’s famous biography I, Tina and, of course, equally famous biopic What’s Love Got to do with it? It is important to remember we’ve only heard her side of things and my grandma always said there are three sides to an argument: Your side, my side and the truth.
It didn’t help that he LOOKED like a mofo who would give a chick a beatdown either.
He looked like a brother who liked his coke Tony Montana style (planting his face in a pile of it).
A man who’d shove cake in your face to prove a point.
BUT I wasn’t there.
In a 2001 interview with The Associated Press, Turner denied his ex-wife’s claims of abuse and expressed frustration that he had been demonized in the media while his historic role in rock’s beginnings had been ignored.
Why didn’t he sue for deflamation of character? If ever there was a case where someone’s reputation was destroyed by false allegations it would be him. Something tells me li’l Ana Mae had proof that had him nine balls to the wall.
Regardless of the truth, the world has lost a musical pioneer who in interviews toward the end of his life acknowledged making many mistakes, but maintained he was still able to carry himself with pride.
It’s all any of us can do, Ike. Rest in peace.
NEXT!!!!!!! 
