It caps a career that started in 1950, when the Mississippi-born son of a preacher played on recordings with everyone from B.B. King to Muddy Waters, served as an A&R man for Sun Records and wrote the first rock-and-roll song in history, “Rocket 88” (he was never credited for this 1951 work). With Tina, he formed The Ike and Tina Revue in 1960. They split in 1976, and his downward spiral began.
Now he’s resurfaced with one of the best modern blues albums around. From his San Diego home, a spry and rambunctious Turner (complete with a thick Mississippi drawl) discussed his past mistakes, future aspirations and the here and now with NEWSWEEK’s Lorraine Ali.
NEWSWEEK: Are you nervous that you’re now the main singer-the guy in front?
Ike Turner: Hell, yeah! I can’t sleep. I’m all-the-way nervous. It’s something new. I know the guitar and piano, and I can entertain you to death with that, here, right now, or if there were 15 people in the room. But on stage, I gotta get my confidence up. I used to stand in the back ‘cause I was more interested in getting the people off than the glamour part. In a way, I’m kind of glad I have to do this. I should have done it years ago, but I was afraid. I always needed something to hide behind.
A friend said, “You gotta play some of your old stuff, man.” I got one of my old records from the early ’50s, I put it on, grabbed my guitar and tried to play along, and I couldn’t. I said, “How in the hell was I doing that?” I gotta learn to play like my old self. I gained the knowledge of hip-hop, whatever was going on, different trends, but I lost what I really had, except for a few songs I would play on stage. So I said, “I’m gonna learn this!” I got on the piano and on the guitar and taught myself how to play again. It wasn’t easy, man. My playing was really unique.
“Rocket 88” is often referred to as the first rock-and-roll song ever recorded. Do you see it that way?
I am inducted into the Hall of Fame for making the first rock-and-roll record. I don’t know in reality whether I did or not. I don’t really, though, cause it didn’t put nuthin’ into my pocket [laughs]. To me, rock and roll ain’t nothing but another form of boogie-woogie-woogie. There was old guys that were playing that s-t before I was even thought of.
You’re considered one of the best pop arrangers ever. Is it intimidating for all these young guys in your band now to work with you?
People want to learn from me cause I’m Ike Turner. And it’s not like I’m on an ego trip or anything. But they want to get it so bad sometimes, they start just yessing you or giving you a million reasons why they’re doing it wrong. But when I’m trying to tell you something, just listen. If you wanna do it, then you’ll see what I’m saying. But if you got a million excuses, you’re slowing the whole process down of what I’m trying to get across. I don’t think I’m a great guitar or piano player, but if I play one note, I can play that note.
You’ve been characterized as a infuriating perfectionist. Do you agree?
What I’m teaching them, I apply to myself, 24/7. If they really want to, they’ll open up and listen, and if not, they’ll say yes to get by. At this late date in my life, I don’t have time for bulls-t. A long time ago I’d say, “You’ll get it.” Not anymore.
What was it like for you when returning to the studio after so much time out?
Doing this album, I felt grateful because I had such a hard 15 years. It made me stronger.
You underwent a lot of criticism and were even demonized after the film “What’s Love Got to Do With It” was released.
I had to answer to a whole lot of crap, and Tina went through it, too, except she was benefiting from it. I couldn’t do nuthin’, and she couldn’t do nuthin’. I’m sensitive, and I can feel what a person is feeling. And the way they would look at me …
But you never really came out in a big way and refuted Tina’s accusations of mental and physical abuse.
Back then, I could have resisted it from the get-go. But I didn’t care. I wasn’t doing nothing with my life but sittin’ in the studio, doing drugs and things. I let her do what she wanted to do. I had no idea it would have the effect on my life the way it did. But it did, it did.
Do you feel you’re misunderstood?
I don’t concern myself with what kind of image people have of me, because I can’t change that. All I can really do is to do what I do-play music. I feel if you don’t know me, you lose.
Are you happy where you are today in your life?
I’ve been all the way here, and all the way down there, two times. When I was down here, I wondered if I was gonna be able to eat tomorrow. When I was up here, I wondered who loved me for me. Everybody got on faces. It is lonely up there. I’m really more comfortable in a medium zone, man.
Are you making any plans for a future record?
The next record will be an instrumental one. I think it’ll be even better than this one. This is like the beginning of a new day. I need to express what’s in me on stage and on record, and I’m not gonna die until I do. I refuse to. I have a lot in me, and I’m gonna do it. I gotta do it.
