 | |
| Author | |
|---|---|
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Autobiography |
| Publisher | Virgin Books |
Publication date | May 28, 1999 |
| Media type | Print (Paperback) |
| Pages | 256 |
| ISBN | 9781852278502 |
| OCLC | 43321298 |
Takin' Back My Name: The Confessions of Ike Turner is a 1999 autobiography by American musician Ike Turner with British writer Nigel Cawthorne. [1] [2]
After Ike Turner's ex-wife Tina Turner revealed that his violent behavior and infidelity drove her to attempt suicide in her 1986 autobiography, I,Tina: My Life Story (dramatized in the 1993 film What's Love Got to Do with It ), he became a social pariah whose personal life overshadowed his musical contributions. In Takin' Back My Name, Turner tells his story from his childhood through the pinnacle of his career with the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, his cocaine-fueled downfall, and his career revival in the 1990s. [2]
Takin' Back My Name begins with an introduction by musician Little Richard who emphasizes Ike Turner's influence as a rock 'n' roll pioneer. Turner then recounts his life woven with inner thoughts and newfound perspectives.
Izear Luster Turner, better known as "Ike Turner," was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Early in his musical career, he worked for the Los Angeles–based Bihari brothers as an A&R man at Modern Records, scouting the Delta blues scene in search of artists to record. With his own band the Kings of Rhythm, Turner recorded "Rocket 88," a distorted-guitar ode to the Oldsmobile 88, which is credited as being the first rock ‘n’ roll record, at Sam Phillips’ Memphis recording studio in 1951. Instead of Turner's name on the record, his saxophonist (and vocalist on the track) Jackie Brenston was credited. He then worked as a talent scout and session musician at Sun Records. [2]
In 1954, Turner relocated his band to East St. Louis, Illinois. There he met Ann Bullock who joined his band. [3] He called her "Little Ann" and he eventually created her stage name Tina Turner. He formed the Ike & Tina Turner Revue in 1960 which was followed by a string of hit records and relentless touring in the 1960s. At the peak of their commercial success in the early 1970s, they toured internationally and had their own recording studio, Bolic Sound, which became Turner's playground, rife with explicit tales of sex and cocaine use. By the mid 1970s, the Turners' relationship was deteriorating, and after a physical altercation in 1976, they divorced in 1978. [2]
In 1986, after making a success of her comeback, Tina Turner released her autobiography I, Tina, which was filled with recounts of spousal abuse. At the time, Turner was on a downward spiral, which ended with an 18-month stint in prison for drug possession. After his release in the early 1990s, Tina's book was adapted into the film What’s Love Got To Do With It. Laurence Fishburne's menacing portrayal of Turner in the film and the alleged fabrications in the script further damaged Turner's reputation. Despite this, Turner reformed a new Revue, and after a long absence from the stage he resumed performing. [2]
Reviewing the book for The Guardian , Caroline Sullivan wrote: "Takin' Back My Name is one of the few celebrity memoirs unbelaboured by excuses for bad behaviour. Admirably, Turner refuses to blame anyone but himself for a life of excess that began at the age of six when he was seduced by a certain Miss Boozie in Clarksdale." [4]
Glyn Brown wrote for The Independent : "In it, he comes over as an egotist just doing the best he can in difficult circumstances and, though you wonder if it's maybe 100 per cent unreliable, Ike's an old man now, and he deserves a break. Problem is, Ike doesn't really help himself." [5]
Izear Luster "Ike" Turner Jr. was an American musician, bandleader, songwriter, record producer, and talent scout. An early pioneer of 1950s rock and roll, he is best known for his work in the 1960s and 1970s with his wife Tina Turner as the leader of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.
What's Love Got to Do with It is a 1993 American biographical film based on the life of American singer-songwriter Tina Turner. Directed by Brian Gibson and written by Kate Lanier, based on Tina's 1986 autobiography I, Tina, it stars Angela Bassett as Tina and Laurence Fishburne as her abusive husband Ike Turner.
Jimmy Thomas was an American soul singer and songwriter. He was best known as a vocalist for Ike Turner. Thomas joined Turner's Kings of Rhythm in 1958, and remained with the band when the Ike & Tina Turner Revue was formed in 1960. He released solo singles on Turner's labels Sue, Sputnik, and Sonja Records. After his departure from Turner, Thomas continued recording as a solo artist, eventually relocating to London. He formed his own label, Osceola Records, in 1979.
I, Tina: My Life Story is a 1986 autobiography by Tina Turner, co-written by MTV news correspondent and music critic Kurt Loder. It was published by William Morrow and Company, and was reissued by Dey Street Books in 2010.
The Soul of Ike & Tina Turner is the debut album by Ike & Tina Turner. It was released on the Sue Records in February 1961. The album is noted for containing the duo's debut single "A Fool in Love" and their follow-up singles "I Idolize You" and "I'm Jealous."
Jack Rabbit Blues is a compilation album of recordings by musician Ike Turner released on Secret Records in 2011. The packaging includes a 31 track CD plus a 10-inch vinyl.
Raymond Earl Hill was an American tenor saxophonist and singer, best known as a member of Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm in the 1950s. He also recorded as a solo artist for Sun Records and worked as a session musician.
Bolic Sound Studios was a recording studio complex in Inglewood, California. It was built by musician Ike Turner in 1970, and remained in operation until it burned down in 1981.
Rocks The Blues is the first album credited to musician Ike Turner. Released in 1963 from Crown Records, it contains mostly previously released singles from the 1950s.
"Boxtop" is a song written and produced by musician Ike Turner. It was originally released as a single in 1958 on Tune Town Records. "Boxtop" is noted for being Tina Turner's first appearance on a record under the name "Little Ann," two years before her debut as Tina Turner on "A Fool In Love" in 1960.
I Like Ike! The Best of Ike Turner is a compilation album released by Rhino Records in 1994. The album spotlights musician Ike Turner's work as a bandleader, pianist, guitarist, and solo artist, "concentrating heavily on his work in the 1950s and early '60s."
The Bad Man: Rare & Unreissued Ike Turner Produced Recordings 1962–1965 is a collection of singles produced by musician Ike Turner. The album was released by Night Train International in 2004.
Soul The Hits is the debut album by American girl group the Ikettes, released on Modern Records in 1966.
Teena Records was a record label founded by R&B duo Ike & Tina Turner in 1963. Ike Turner named the label after his wife Tina Turner. Records on Teena were distributed by CIRCA distributing firm. CIRCA was formed in 1962 to operate as a releasing company for independent labels by working with various distributors around the US.
Prann Records was a record label founded by musician Ike Turner in 1963. Turner used this label to release singles by artist he was producing outside of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Records on Prann were distributed by CIRCA distributing firm. CIRCA was formed in 1962 to operate as a releasing company for independent labels by working with various distributors around the US.
Ernest Ray Lane was an American blues pianist. He played various blues musicians and bands, including with Pinetop Perkins, Robert Nighthawk, Ike Turner, George "Harmonica" Smith, and Canned Heat. Lane also released singles and album as a solo artist.
The Club Imperial was a nightclub at 6306-28 West Florissant Ave in St. Louis, Missouri. During the club's heyday in the 1950s through the 1960s, acts such as Ike & Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, and Bob Kuban and the In-Men performed at the Club Imperial.
Pat Powdrill was an American soul singer and songwriter. Powdrill was best known for being a member of the Ikettes in the 1960s. She began her career as a solo artist recording for Reprise Records and Downey Records. She later performed as backing vocalist for various artists.
Vernon Guy was an American R&B vocalist based in St. Louis. Early in his career he toured with bandleader Ike Turner in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Guy released a few solo records on Turner's labels before forming the Sharpees with Benny Sharp in the mid 1960s. He later performed with musicians Bennie Smith and Johnnie Johnson.