Friday 'Fro: Ike Turner, 1931-2007

I originally despaired of being able to give Ike Turner a Friday 'Fro shout-out and send-off, since the cat wore a pomp or a flat-top for most of his career. (That is, with the exception a brief period in the late '60s where he ironed his hair for a truly ghastly Beatle wig effect!) But then my friend John e-mailed me this fine early '70s pic. Thanks, John!

There's no question that Ike behaved like an asshole for much of his life, or that he brought much of his lousy reputation upon himself. (Even while disputing the way he was portrayed in What's Love Got to Do With It, he would defend himself with such charming statements as, "There have been times when I punched Tina to the ground without thinking, but I never beat her!")

Would I have wanted Ike to date my Mom? Hell no — but the dude was one helluva bad-ass guitar player and bandleader, and it's good to see that his considerable contributions to R&B, funk and rock and roll have at least gotten some play in his obituaries over the last few days. Here's one of my favorite Ike instro tracks, a cover of Marvin Holmes & The Uptights' "Funky Mule," from his supremely funky 1969 album A Black Man's Soul:

Funky Mule.mp3

(I also seem to recall an interview with Ike in the late 80s/early 90s, wherein he basically laid the blame for his life's various troubles on his inability to perform fellatio upon himself; he said that, if there's such a thing as reincarnation, he hoped to come back as a guy with a longer neck. Wonder if he'll get his wish...)

 

Comments

[Greg Barbera]

"funky mule" has got nothin' on "lifting weights with ken"...

long live the Dan-fro!!!

[Midnight Snack]

Longer neck?? What an idiot.

[browne]

Being insane and talented for some reason goes hand and hand. He had talent, but wow, what an amazing asshole.

Browne