Rock-and-roll pioneer Ike Turner died of a cocaine overdose, the San Diego County medical examiner said last night.
Turner (76) was found dead on December 12th at his home in San Marcos near San Diego. He had a history of cocaine addiction stretching back more than 30 years.
The medical examiner said an autopsy showed that a long history of cardiovascular disease and emphysema contributed to Turner's death.
Turner was considered one of the founding fathers of rock music, but his run-ins with the law and a violent marriage to R&B singer Tina Turner shadowed his musical accomplishments.
His "Rocket 88" with the Kings of Rhythm is credited with helping to change the look of rock and roll in the 1950s and his fame grew over the next two decades.
He married Tina in 1958 and by 1972 they had won a Grammy for their cover of "Proud Mary." But Tina divorced him in 1976 because of his violent and abusive behaviour.