Ike and Tina Turner

Induction Year: 1991

Induction Category: Performer

The Ike and Tina Turner Revue was one of the highest energy ensembles on the soul circuit in the late ‘60s and early ‘70s.

Ike Turner had begun as a bandleader and talent scout in the ‘40s for blues and R&B performers. He recorded “Rocket 88,” considered by many the first rock ‘n’ roll recording, under the name of his baritone sax player, Jackie Brenston, in 1951.

Turner and his band, the Kings of Rhythm, found a young singer named Annie Mae Bullock in 1956. Eventually, the singer was renamed Tina Turner and the two married.

Their first hit, “A Fool in Love,” was recorded in 1961 when another singer failed to show up for a session. After several early ‘60s hit R&B singles, including “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine” in 1961, they became major stars in England.

A 1971 cover version of John Fogerty’s “Proud Mary” reached No. 4 on the pop chart. Ike and Tina divorced in 1976.

TIMELINE

November 5, 1931: Ike Turner was born.

November 26, 1939: Tina Turner was born.

March 1, 1951: records “Rocket 88” with singer Jackie Brenston and Ike Turner’s band. for Chess records. This recording is widely considered the first rock and roll record.

October 17, 1960: Ike and Tina Turner hit #27 on pop and #3 on R&B with the Sue records single “A Fool In Love”.

September 18, 1961: Ike and Tina Turner #14 on pop and #2 on R&B “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine”.

1961: Ike and Tina Turner hit #4 on the R&B chart and #38 (1/27/62) on the pop chart with “Poor Fool”.

July 2, 1962: After getting hurt during a jump, gets an honorable discharge from the Army. Over the next three years, he will play numerous gigs and studio sessions with such R&B stars as , , Ike and Tina Turner and .

March 27, 1971: Ike & Tina Turner hit #4 with “Proud Mary.”

November 17, 1973: Ike & Tina Turner hit #22 with “Nutbush City Limits”.

Essential Songs

Proud Mary
River Deep - Mountain High
It’s Gonna Work Out Fine
I’ve Been Loving You Too Long
A Fool in Love
I Idolize You
Poor Fool
Nutbush City Limits
I Want to Take You Higher
Ooh Poo Pah Doo