The Ikettes

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The Ikettes
The-Ikettes.jpg
The Ikettes in 1965: Venetta Fields, Robbie Montgomery and Jessie Smith
Background information
Genres R&B, soul, pop
Occupation(s) Backing vocalists, girl group
Years active1960–1976; 1988–2000s
Labels
Past members Robbie Montgomery
Eloise Hester
Jo Armstead
Jessie Smith
Venetta Fields
Pat Arnold (a.k.a. P.P. Arnold)
Juanita Hixson
Gloria Scott
Maxine Smith
Pat Powdrill
Ann Thomas
Rose Smith
Shelly Clark
Paulette Parker (a.k.a. Maxayn Lewis)
Esther Jones
Claudia Lennear
Edna Richardson
Stonye Figueroa
Linda Shuford-Williams
Alesia Butler
Yolanda Goodwin
Jeanette Bazzell Turner
Randi Love (a.k.a. Michelle Love)
Audrey Madison Turner
See members section for others

The Ikettes, originally The Artettes, were a trio (sometimes quartet) of female backing vocalists for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Despite their origins, the Ikettes became successful artists in their own right. In the 1960s they had hits such as "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)" and "Peaches 'N' Cream". In 2017, Billboard ranked "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)" No. 63 on its list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. [1]

Contents

The group started as "The Artettes", the backing group of Art Lassiter. The first official incarnation of The Ikettes was composed of Delores Johnson, Eloise Hester and Josie Jo Armstead. The most popular line-up consisted of Robbie Montgomery, Venetta Fields, and Jessie Smith. It was this trio that later morphed into The Mirettes.

As the 1960s progressed, the Ikettes became known for their sexy onstage appearance; minidresses, long hair and high-energy dance routines that mirrored their mentor Tina Turner. "They represent me, and in my act they gotta look outta sight at all times. There's simply no room for sloppiness and unprofessionalism," Tina told Esquire. [2] She added:

I also believe in the Ikette visual. I don't see it as cheap or vulgar. Nor do I see myself as that. Sex is not cheap or vulgar. And I always loved the look of long straight hair. Ike says he patterned me after Sheena of the jungle. She was white, you know. But I still love the look and action of long hair movin' and the short skirts shimmying. I want action on that stage at all times. [2]

History

1960–1968

When Art Lassiter did not show up for a recording session in early 1960, Ike Turner took Lassiter's backup singers, the Artettes (Robbie Montgomery, Frances Hodges, and Sandra Harding) and had them accompany Tina Turner on the recording "A Fool in Love." [3] Following the success of the single, Ike formed the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, but with a new group of backup singers: Delores Johnson, Eloise Hester, and Jo Armstead. Montgomery was pregnant and unable to tour. [3] They recorded "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)" the following year, produced by Ike and leased to Atco Records. [4] Released in November 1961, the single reached No. 3 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 19 on the Hot 100. [5]

Montgomery rejoined the revue shortly after having her baby and was teamed with Jessie Smith (recruited from a group named Benny Sharp and the Zorros of Rhythm) and Venetta Fields (a gospel singer from Buffalo, New York) to form the first official incarnation of The Ikettes. [6] The revue toured constantly through the U.S. on the Chitlin' Circuit in the segregated South. [7] Occasionally they'd play at major venues such as the Apollo Theater in New York, Howard Theater in Washington, D.C., and Uptown Theater in Philadelphia. [7]

In 1962, Ike switched them to his Teena record label for two singles: "Crazy in Love" (credited as Robbie Montgomery & the Ikettes) and "Prisoner in Love." Soon after its release, the title of "Prisoner in Love" was changed to "No Bail in This Jail" in order to avoid confusion with "Prisoner of Love" by James Brown. [8]

During this period Bonnie Bramlett was briefly an Ikette, becoming the first white Ikette. [9] According to Bramlett, Smith briefly quit the Ikettes after Turner fired her boyfriend Sam Rhodes, who was the bass player in the Kings of Rhythm. Bramlett recalled that she was an Ikette for three days when she was 17. She put on a dark wig to cover her blonde hair and used Man Tan to darken her skin. [10]

The single "Here's Your Heart" came out on Innis Records in 1964 but failed to go national; nor did "What'cha Gonna Do (When I Leave You)" released on Phi-Dan Records in 1966. [3] From 1964 through 1966, they released six singles on Modern Records, including "The Camel Walk" (1964), and two hits "Peaches 'N' Cream" (1965) and "I'm So Thankful" (1965). [5] Ultra-funky remakes of "Sally Go Round the Roses" and "Da Doo Ron Ron" did not go as well; neither did "He's Gonna Be Fine, Fine, Fine," though it sounded like a precursor to the music Betty Davis did later. When "Peaches and Cream" became rapidly popular, Ike sent a different set of Ikettes — Janice Singleton (Hughes), Diane Rutherford and Marquentta Tinsley — on the road with "The Dick Clark Caravan of Stars" and kept Montgomery, Smith, and Fields on tour with his revue. In the meantime, Turner hired new Ikettes after Montgomery, Fields and Smith left to form the Mirettes. The first set included Pat Arnold (a.k.a. P.P. Arnold), Gloria Scott, and Maxine Smith. [6]

The first album by the Ikettes, Soul The Hits, was released on Modern Records in 1966. Instead of the Ikettes, the Blossoms provided backing vocals for Tina Turner on the Phil Spector-produced 1966 record "River Deep – Mountain High." [11] Following the success of the single in Europe, Ike & Tina Turner were asked to tour with The Rolling Stones during their British tour in the fall of 1966. [12] The Ikettes on that tour were Rose Smith, Pat Arnold, and Ann Thomas. Shelly Clark (later of Honey Cone) was also an Ikette in 1966 until she was injured in a bus accident in Wichita, Kansas. [13] [14] Other Ikettes during this period include Pat Powdrill, Paulette Parker (later of Maxayn), Jean Brown, and Juanita Hixson.

In 1968, Pompeii Records issued "So Fine" credited to Ike & Tina Turner & the Ikettes, it charted at No. 50 on the R&B chart. [5] In Summer 1968, a revised lineup of Ikettes was formed with Edna Richardson, Claudia Lennear, and Ester Jones. [15]

1969–1976

Minit Records and its parent label Liberty Records issued singles credited to The Ikettes (with Ike & Tina Turner) in 1969 and 1970 respectively, resulting in the hits "Come Together" by the Beatles and Sly & the Family Stone's "I Want to Take You Higher."

In November 1969, The Rolling Stones once again asked Ike & Tina Turner to open for them, but this time on their American tour. [12] The Ikettes on that tour were Claudia Lennear, Ester Jones and Pat Powdrill. This lineup performed on Playboy After Dark in December 1969. Stonye Figueroa along with Ester Jones, and Claudia Lennear performed on The Ed Sullivan Show with Ike & Tina Turner on January 11, 1970. That month, they performed In Las Vegas at the Hilton Hotel opposite Redd Foxx. Vera Hamilton and Jean Brown joined Jones in 1970, and this trio performed on The Andy Williams Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson .

In 1971, Liberty Records was absorbed into United Artists Records. [16] the Ikettes released their first single "Got What It Takes (To Get What I Want)," on United Artists later that year. In 1972, "Two Timin', Double Dealin'" was released, the last known single by the Ikettes. Edna Richardson returned to the group in 1971 and remained an Ikette on-and-off until 1976. Richardson, Jean Brown and Ester Jones performed on Soul Train in April 1972. They also provided backing vocals on Gayle McCormick's album Flesh & Blood (1972). [17] In October 1972, Tina Turner and the Ikettes performed at the political fundraising concert Star-Spangled Women for McGovern–Shriver at Madison Square Garden. [18]

Tina Turner and the Ikettes (Ester Jones, Gail Stevens and Edna LeJeune Richardson) performing in Hamburg in 1972 Tina Turner 2311720045.jpg
Tina Turner and the Ikettes (Ester Jones, Gail Stevens and Edna LeJeune Richardson) performing in Hamburg in 1972

There were a few lineup changes in 1973 with the absence of Ester Jones and Enda Richardson. Jones temporarily left after she was fined for being late onstage. The Ikettes weren't paid much and were often fined by the Turners for "inexcusables" such as tardiness, no-shows at rehearsals, miscues onstage, sloppy appearance, and disruptive behavior. [2] Jones was the "longest-lasting Ikette" and was referred to as "Motha" Ikette. She was the group's trainer and came up with most of the choreography. [2] In February 1973, the Ikettes, consisting of Linda Sims, Linda-Shuford Williams and Alesia Butler, performed on The Midnight Special . The Ikettes performed on The Midnight Special again in November 1973; Linda Sims was joined by Edna Richardson and Charlotte Lewis. The next month Linda Sims, Charlotte Lewis and Debbie Wilson performed on the music program Hits à Gogo in Switzerland. Sims and Wilson along with Tina Turner provided backing vocals on Frank Zappa's albums Over-Nite Sensation (1973) and Apostrophe (') (1974), recorded at the Turners' Bolic Sound studio. [19] [20]

The last album by the Ikettes, (G)Old & New , was released on United Artists in January 1974. [21] In March, Edna Richardson, Stonye Figueroa and Linda Sims appeared on Don Krishner's Rock Concert. Ester Jones, Yolanda Goodwin and Marcy Thomas soon replaced them for most of 1974. [2] Richardson, Goodwin and Jones became the final lineup for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue by late 1975. They performed on Don Krishner's Rock Concert in March 1976, before the Ike & Tina Turner Revue disbanded later that year. [22] [6]

1988–2000s

In 1988, Ike Turner attempted an ill-fated return to the stage with Marcy Thomas, Bonnie Johnson, and Jeanette Bazzell as his Ikettes. [23] He was arrested on drug charges the following year. After serving 18-months in prison he managed to rehabilitate his cocaine addiction and he revived his career in the 1990s. Turner formed new sets of Ikettes, which included Jeanette Bazzell,Nina Hill, Randi Love, a.k.a. Michelle Love, Stonye Figueroa, Vera Hamilton and Audrey Madison. [24]

Post-Ikette careers

Members

1960s–1970s

1980s–2000s

Discography

Albums

TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart

positions

Notes
US Top
200
US
R&B
Fine Fine Fine
  • EP released in the UK
Soul The Hits
  • Reissued on CD in 2007
In Person 14219
  • Credited to Ike & Tina Turner and The Ikettes
  • Recorded at Basin Street West in San Francisco
Come Together 13013
  • Credited to Ike & Tina Turner and The Ikettes
(G)Old & New
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Compilations

Singles

The Ikettes had 3 songs chart on the Billboard Hot 100 and 3 songs on the Billboard Hot R&B which include 1 top 10 hit. They have also charted on records with Ike & Tina Turner.

Single (A-side, B-side)Release dateLabel & Cat No.Peak positionsAlbumNotes
US Hot 100

[5]

US R&B

[5]

"I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)"

b/w "Find My Baby"

Nov 1961 [50] Atco – 45-6212193Non-album tracks
  • No. 63 on Billboard's list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time
"Troubles on My Mind"

b/w "Come On and Truck"

Apr 1962Atco – 45-6223
"Heavenly Love"

b/w "Zizzy Zee Zum Zum"

Jul 1962 [51] Atco – 45-6232
"I Had a Dream the Other Night"

b/w "I Do Love You"

Nov 1962Atco – 45-6243
"Crazy in Love"

b/w Pee Wee

Feb 1963 Teena – 1701
  • Credited as Robbie Montgomery and the Ikettes
"No Bail in This Jail (Prisoner In Love)"

b/w "Those Words"

Apr 1963Teena – 1702126* [52]
  • Teena was Ike Turner's label named after Tina Turner
"You're Still My Baby"

b/w "I'm Leaving You"

Apr 1963 Sony – 112
  • Credited to Venetta Fields; Sony was Ike Turner's label
"Blue with a Broken Heart"

b/w "Mind In A Whirl"

ca. 1963 Sonja – 2003
"Here's Your Heart"

"Here's Your Heart (Instrumental)"

Jan 1964 Innis – 3000
  • Innis was Ike Turner's label
"Camel Walk"

b/w "Nobody Loves Me"

Dec 1964Modern – 1003107* [53] Soul The Hits
"Peaches 'N' Cream"

b/w "The Biggest Players"

Feb 1965Modern – 45x10053628
"(He's Gonna Be) Fine, Fine, Fine"

b/w "How Come"

May 1965Modern – 45x1008125* [54]
"I'm So Thankful"

b/w "Don't Feel Sorry for Me"

Jul 1965Modern – 45x10117412
"(Never More) Lonely for You"

b/w "Sally Go Round the Roses"

Jan 1966Modern – 45xM 1015122* [55]
"Not That I Recall"

b/w "Da Doo Ron Ron"

Jul 1966Modern – 45xM 1024
"What'cha Gonna Do (When I Leave You)"

b/w "Down, Down"

Aug 1966 Phi-Dan – 5009Non-album tracks
  • Phi-Dan was a subsidiary label of Phil Spector Productions
  • Pat Arnold (P.P. Arnold) sang lead
  • Lead vocals by Rose Smith on "Down, Down"
"So Fine"

b/w "So Blue Over You"

Mar 1968 Pompeii – 45-6667117* [56] 50 So Fine
  • "So Fine" is credited to Ike & Tina Turner and The Ikettes
  • B-side is on the album Cussin', Cryin' & Carryin' On
"Make 'Em Wait"

b/w "Beauty Is Just Skin Deep"

Nov 1968Pompeii – 45-66683 Cussin', Cryin' & Carryin' On
  • Cussin', Cryin' & Carryin' On is an Ike & Tina Turner album
  • Billboard Review (November 16, 1968) [57]
"Come Together"

b/w "Honky Tonk Women"

Jan 1970Minit – 320875721 Come Together
  • Credited to Ike & Tina Turner and The Ikettes
"I Want to Take You Higher"

b/w "Contact High"

May 1970Liberty – 561773425
  • Credited to Ike & Tina Turner and The Ikettes
"Got What It Takes (To Get What I Want)"

b/w "If You Take A Close Look"

Dec 1971United Artists – 50866Non-album tracks
"I'm Just Not Ready for Love"

b/w "Two Timin' Double Dealin'"

Dec 1972United Artists – 51103
*single did not chart on the main chart but was on the Bubbling Under Top LP's.

"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Filmography/Selected TV appearances

[58]

TitleAirdate/YearIkettes
Shindig! April 21, 1965 Robbie Montgomery, Venetta Fields, Jessie Smith
Hollywood A Go-Go April 24, 1965Robbie Montgomery, Venetta Fields, Jessie Smith
American Bandstand May 1, 1965Robbie Montgomery, Venetta Fields, Jessie Smith
The Big T.N.T. Show 1966

(filmed November 29, 1965)

Pat Arnold (P.P. Arnold), Gloria Scott, and Maxine Smith
Studio UnoMarch 26, 1966Robbie Montgomery, Venetta Fields, Jessie Smith
Goodbye Again August 18, 1968

(filmed Apr 1968)

Pat Powdrill, Ann Thomas, Jean Brown, Paulette Parker (Maxayn Lewis)
The Hollywood Palace December 7, 1968 Ester Jones, Edna Richardson, Claudia Lennear
Andy's Love ConcertMarc. 19, 1969Ester Jones, Edna Richardson, Claudia Lennear
The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour April 13, 1969Ester Jones, Edna Richardson, Claudia Lennear
It's Your Thing 1970Ester Jones, Jean Brown, Vera Hamilton
Playboy After Dark February 3, 1970

(filmed December 3, 1969)

Pat Powdrill, Ester Jones,Claudia Lennear
The Ed Sullivan Show Jan 11. 1970Claudia Lennear, Ester Jones, Stonye Figueroa
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson July 9, 1970Ester Jones, Vera Hamilton, Jean Brown
Johnny Cash Presents the Everly BrothersAugust 5, 1970Ester Jones, Jean Brown, unknown
The Andy Williams Show September 26, 1970Ester Jones, Vera Hamilton, Jean Brown
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonNovember 25, 1970Ester Jones, Vera Hamilton, Jean Brown
Taking Off 1971Ester Jones, Vera Hamilton, Jean Brown
Soul to Soul 1971Ester Jones, Vera Hamilton, Jean Brown
Beat-Club February 27, 1971Ester Jones, Vera Hamilton, Jean Brown
The Pearl Bailey Show March 27, 1971Ester Jones, Vera Hamilton, Jean Brown
Good Vibrations from Central Park Aug, 19, 1971Ester Jones, Jean Brown, Edna Richardson
Rollin' on the River February 10, 1972 [59] Ester Jones, Jean Brown, Edna Richardson
Soul Train April 22, 1972Ester Jones, Jean Brown, Edna Richardson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonMay 4, 1972 [60] Ester Jones, Jean Brown, Edna Richardson
The Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonOctober 4, 1972Ester Jones, Gail Stevens, Edna Richardson
The Dick Cavett Show October 10, 1972Ester Jones, Gail Stevens, Edna Richardson
Top à RégineNovember 11, 1972Ester Jones, Gail Stevens, Edna Richardson
The Midnight Special February 3, 1973Linda Sims, Linda Shuford-Williams, Alesia Butler
The Burns and Schreiber Comedy HourJune 22, 1973Alesia Butler, unknown, unknown
In Concert August 3, 1973Linda Sims, Linda Shuford-Williams, Debbie Wilson
The Midnight SpecialNovember 10, 1973Edna Richardson, Linda Sims, Charlotte Lewis
In ConcertDecember 14, 1973 [61] Linda Sims, Charlotte Lewis, Debbie Wilson
Hits à GogoDecember 14, 1973Linda Sims, Charlotte Lewis, Debbie Wilson
The Midnight SpecialFebruary 9, 1974Linda Sims, Charlotte Lewis, Debbie Wilson
Don Kirshner's Rock Concert March 16, 1974Linda Sims, Stonye Figueroa, Edna Richardson
Musikladen November 14, 1974Ester Jones, Marcy Thomas (Lyrica Garrett), Yolanda Goodwin
Soul TrainJanuary 18, 1975Ester Jones, Marcy Thomas (Lyrica Garrett), Yolanda Goodwin
The Midnight SpecialMarch 8, 1975Ester Jones, Marcy Thomas (Lyrica Garrett), Edna Richardson
Cher April 27, 1975Ester Jones, Edna Richardson, Yolanda Goodwin
CherOctober 12, 1975Ester Jones, Edna Richardson, Yolanda Goodwin
Van Dyke and CompanyOctober 30, 1975Ester Jones, Marcy Thomas (Lyrica Garrett), Edna Richardson
Poiret est à vous1975Ester Jones, Edna Richardson, Judy Cheeks
Don Kirshner's Rock ConcertMarch 12, 1976Ester Jones, Edna Richardson, Yolanda Goodwin
Ike & Tina on the Road: 1971–72 2012Ester Jones, Jean Brown, Edna Richardson

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  38. Michel, Sarah (September 2, 2016). "Lyrica Garrett Been That Chick! Meet The Love & Hip Hop Mom Who Got Her Start With Ike and Tina". VH1. Archived from the original on August 16, 2022.
  39. Archer, Greg (June 10, 2019). "Talking Turner". Palm Springs Life.
  40. Starr, Michael (October 5, 2011). "Famous 'X'". New York Post.
  41. Cornish, Stephanie (June 18, 2016). "Ike Turner's Widow Pens Memoir on Singer's Violent Bipolar Condition". The Afro.
  42. "Newcomer Family Obituaries - Mary Jean Brown Standard 1946 - 2023". www.newcomerkentuckiana.com. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  43. The Ed Sullivan Show , 1970 and Don Kristner's Rock Concert, 1974; also 20 Feet From Stardom
  44. 1 2 3 "Spotlights Turn On Her". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. June 2, 1969 via Newspapers.com.
  45. Wikane, Christian John. "Her Best Is Yet to Come: The Return of Gloria Scott," PopMatters (March 18, 2009).
  46. Seen on the cover of Ikettes (G)old and New album (right); 20 Feet from Stardom
  47. Pryweller, Joseph. "Moving In Different Directions: Picking Hampton Over The Bright Lights Of Calif.," Daily Press (December 21, 1990).
  48. Seen on the cover of Ikettes (G)old and New album (center); 20 Feet from Stardom
  49. The Boston Herald (August 27, 1996), p. 3
  50. "Reviews of New Singles" (PDF). Billboard. November 20, 1961. p. 45.
  51. "Record Reviews: Pick of the Week" (PDF). Cash Box: 10. July 21, 1962.
  52. "Bubbling Under The Hot 100" (PDF). Billboard. May 11, 1963.
  53. "Bubbling Under The Hot 100" (PDF). Billboard. February 13, 1965.
  54. "Bubbling Under The Hot 100" (PDF). Billboard. June 5, 1965.
  55. "Bubbling Under The Hot 100" (PDF). Billboard. February 5, 1966.
  56. "Bubbling Under The Hot 100" (PDF). Billboard. April 20, 1968.
  57. "Special Merit Spotlight" (PDF). Billboard. November 16, 1968. p. 74.
  58. "The Ikettes". IMDb.
  59. "Today's TV Programs: Highlights". Daily News. February 10, 1972. p. 27.
  60. "Thursday's TV Programs". The Los Angeles Times. May 4, 1972. pp. 20 Part lV.
  61. "Television". Jet: 98. December 20, 1973.