United States:Ike Turner, whose role as one of rock's critical architects was overshadowed by his ogre-like image as the man who brutally abused former wife Tina Turner, died yesterday at his home in San Diego. He was 76.
"He did pass away this morning" at his home in San Marcos, in northern San Diego County, said Scott Hanover of Thrill Entertainment Group, which managed Turner's musical career. There was no immediate word on the cause of death.
Turner helped pioneer rock 'n' roll in 1951 when his band the Rhythm Kings recorded the song Rocket 88, a tune widely regarded as the first record in the nascent genre. As a guitarist and pianist, Turner played with the likes of BB King, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters and Willie Dixon in the 1950s. He married Annie Mae Bullock in 1958, she changed her name to Tina, and they enjoyed such hits as River Deep, Mountain High, Proud Mary and Nutbush City Limits.