I, Tina - Rock 'n' Blues

 

YouTube Playlist - I, Tina - Rock 'n' Blues

Spotify - I, Tina - Rock 'n' Blues 

Instagram

This playlist was inspired by Tina Turner's autobiography, "I, Tina.”

Ike Turner is credited as one of the original pioneers of the rock 'n' roll sound of the early 1950’s. He took Boogie Woogie piano blues and infused it with electric guitar to create a new sound that was revolutionary. Later his sound would be copied by Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard, among others.

This playlist was inspired by the creation of the rock ’n’ roll sound as it evolved from “race music” of the 1940’s out of the southern Juke Joints and white southern hillbilly.

In 1958, Ike met a young seventeen year old, Anna Mae Bullock who would later become Tina Turner in 1960.

This playlist is the progression of Rock ’n’ Roll music through time starting in 1945 with the Juke Joint sounds from early R&B of Big Mama Thornton, Amos Milburn, Wynonie Harris and Roy Milton through the 1950s into the 60s.

Moving along though the 1950s Ike and Tina worked with the greats such as Elmore James and Bobby “Blue” Bland and Ike played piano on many Howlin’ Wolf’s records. 

“Rocket 88” by Ike Turner was first recorded in Memphis, Tennessee, in March 1951. Even though the song was written and preformed by Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm he was not credited. Jackie Brenton who sang on the track was credited. The single reached number one on the Billboard R&B chart.

“Rocket 88’ influenced Little Richard. “I took that introduction and that same piano style and I put it on, Good Golly, Miss Molly.” Said Little Richard years later.

“I’m Tore Up” was written by Ike Turner and sang by Billy Gayles was cut after “Rocket 88” to showcase Ike’s talents on the electric guitar.

Theres no disputing the power and creativity that Ike displayed. The problem was, he couldn’t sing. He needed a full time singer to join his band.

Tina Turner would go to the Harlem Club in East St. Louis and thats where she met Ike. She would always sit in the front row and always wanted to sing, and finally, she got her chance. The first song she sang for Ike was B.B. Kings, “You Know I Love You.” The rest is history.

“A Fool In Love” was the debut single by Ike and Tine Turner. This song premiered an “extraordinary raw and primitive” talent. The Song peaked at number two in the Billboard R&B chart in 1960.

With Tina’s raw and powerful voice, a new form of music was being created in it earliest form. The fusion of rhythm and blues with the new invention of the electric guitar.

For my I,Tina - Queen of Rock playlist which covers Tina Turner's music from 1960 to 1985 click here: I, Tina Queen of Rock