Ike Turner is Dead

Ike Turner died in his sleep on Wednesday at the age of 76. Ike earned a solo Grammy award earlier this year, but accusations of abuse by his ex wife Tina Turner tarnished his image till his death. "I know what I am in my heart. And I know regardless of what I’ve done, good and bad, it took it all to make me what I am today," he once told The Associated Press. In a 2001 AP interview, he 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. Despite the harsh claims Tina Turner kept the last name Turner as her own, perhaps capitalizing on Ike’s own good reputation. Ike Turner, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is credited by many rock historians with making the first rock ’n’ roll record, "Rocket 88," in 1951. Produced by the legendary Sam Phillips, it was groundbreaking for its use of distorted electric guitar. A rep for Tina said:

"Tina is aware that Ike passed away earlier today. She has not had any contact with him in 35 years. No further comment will be made," her spokeswoman, Michele Schweitzer, said Wednesday

Well I guess if you don’t have anything nice to say, it’s best to say nothing at all.