Still More Memories of Ike

When I got to the office this morning and fired up the ole’ iTunes, the first song that came up on shuffle was Ike Turner’s version of “Chain of Fools” from ‘A Black Man’s Soul.’ Coincidence?

On a related note, we’ve just started working with The Ponderosa Stomp, a serious contender for America’s coolest music festival, and the last word in unsung heroes of rock & roll. I consider Ike Turner to be a part of that group, and I asked Stomp founder Ira “Dr. Ike” Padnos to put his influence in perspective. Here’s what he had to say:

“Ike was a true unsung hero of rock & roll. Discovering Howlin’ Wolf, B.B. King, and Little Milton. Recording “Rocket 88,” one of the first rock & roll records. Doing barnstorming sessions with Joe Bihari on [records by] Elmore James, Junior Brooks, Harmonica Slim, and many others. Recording some of the most insane and killer guitar instrumentals ever (his work on the whammy bar on a strat was amazing). He had his own TV show in St. Louis. He cut killer records for Sun, Chess, Federal, Cobra, Stevens, Flair and Modern, all before he met Anna Mae Bullock. He played the guitar solo on Otis Rush’s first record, “I Can’t Quit You.” He had his own legendary label, Icky Renrut Records, (Ike Turner spelled backwards).

Influenced heavily by Pinetop Perkins, Ike was one hell of a a pianist, too. I once watched him spend a few hours rehearsing his band at a juke joint in Clarksdale prior to playing the Sunflower Blues Festival. I have never seen such a gifted musician - jumping on each instrument, showing the musicians exactly what to play. One of the greatest musical displays I have ever seen in my life.

He was a true rock & roll legend.”

CORRECTION: Icky Renrut was an Ike Turner pseudonym, not a record company according to expert Rob Santos.