Turner was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi on November 5, 1931, to Beatrice Cushenberry, a seamstress, and Izear Luster Turner, a Baptist minister. Ike got his first taste the music business at the age of eight, helping the DJ at a local Clarksdale radio station, WROX.
Turner was soon carrying amplifiers for blues singer Robert Nighthawk, who often played live on WROX. Growing up, Turner's idol Pinetop Perkins helped teach the young Ike to play boogie-woogie on the piano. Ike soon was enamored of other blues artists such as Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson (Rice Miller), Charley Booker, Elmore James, Muddy Waters and Little Walter.
Ike Turner's actual music career began in earnest in the late-1940s where he formed a group he christened Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm. In 1951, the band recorded what some historians have called "the first rock and roll record" with "Rocket 88", credited to Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats (this band did not actually exist). Brenston was both the band's saxophonist and the lead vocalist of the song, and on the original Chess release was listed as the song's writer. "Rocket 88" was produced at Sun Studio in Memphis by Sam Phillips. The record was one of the first examples of guitar distortion, which happened by accident when one of the amplifiers was dropped before the recording.
Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm settled into local fame in St. Louis where the band locally recorded for a St. Louis label and even appeared on local television shows. Throughout this early period, Turner became a recording scout and A&R man for independent record companies including Sun Records, helping the likes of Howlin' Wolf, Sonny Boy Williamson, Elmore James and Otis Rush get signed. He also became a sideman playing guitar for these blues acts and more. Musically, Turner was known for his hard-hitting guitar style. He was known to put the whammy bar of his Fender Stratocaster to frequent use.
Turner's music career changed drastically after meeting a teenage singer from Nutbush, Tennessee, named Anna Mae Bullock, who demandingly grabbed a microphone during a singing session at one of St. Louis' nightspots and sang a B.B. King song in her now-trademark throated raspy vocals. Bullock's performance impressed Ike so much he allowed Anna to join his band as a background singer. However within a year, Ike's plans for Bullock changed after Anna recorded what he originally stated was a demo for a song that was to be sung by a male vocalist. After hearing her vocals, he let it be released under an independent label and in the process changed the name of the singer from Anna Mae Bullock to Tina Turner - naming her after Sheena - and the name of the band to the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. It is believed that this singular act is what propelled Tina Turner into the spotlight. "A Fool in Love" became a national hit in early 1960, reaching the top three in the R&B charts and becoming a top thirty pop hit in the process. From then until 1976, Ike & Tina Turner became one of the most explosive duos in rock & soul music.
After Tina abruptly left Ike after a violent altercation in 1976, Ike lost ground in the national music market. As a solo artist, he struggled to find success after Tina and after releasing two failed solo albums, had found himself facing drug and weapons charges, of which he was convicted in 1989.
When Ike was released from prison in 1993, he was met at the prison gate by Jeanette Bazzell who later became his wife. Jeanette was instrumental in helping Ike rebuild his career. She replaced Tina as Ike's lead singer and eventually they toured the world playing many blues festivals. After the intense negative publicity generated against him as a wife abuser by Tina's movie, "What's Love Got to Do with It", Ike's acceptance in the USA as a legendary blues artist and composer was limited, though better in other countries. During this time he recorded two solo albums in his own studio, and he wrote his autobiography called Taking Back My Name. He also re-recorded "I'm Blue" in a duet style with Billy Rogers. The remake received strong reviews from Billboard Magazine.
Ike was back on the road and back into recording music, which continued until his death. In 2001, Ike released the Grammy-nominated Here & Now album. In 2005, he appeared on the Gorillaz' album, Demon Days, playing piano on the track, "Every Planet We Reach Is Dead". In 2007, Ike won his first solo Grammy in the Best Traditional Blues Album category for the album, Risin' With the Blues. Shortly before his death, a collaboration between Turner and The Black Keys was planned, but the project would never be completed, .
Turner died on December 12, 2007 at 76 years of age at his home in San Marcos, California, near San Diego. Little Richard was asked by the family to speak at the funeral. The San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office reported that Turner died from a cocaine overdose complicated by "[...] other significant conditions, such as hypertensive cardiovascular disease and pulmonary emphysema."
Bootsey Whitelaw
Ike Turner Lyrics
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So all I ever knew was my mom
I tell you that I, I never ever went to school
My mama told me all about street rules
Mama told me everything about
Not about Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
He was tall, big and tan
Between his eyes he had two frown
He never laugh or play around
Mama told me everything about
But not about Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Bop along, bop along, bop along, Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Bop along, bop along, bop along, Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Mama told me everything about
But not about Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
He lived way up across town
Women love him, bop around
Ooh, I loved him right from the start
I didn't even care if he broke my heart
Mama told me everything about
But not about Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Sing along, bop along, bop along, Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Sing along, bop along, bop along, Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Mama told me everything about
But not about Bootsey Whitelaw
I beg and pose along
'Cause I want him more this time
Nobody promised me all along
He told me that he could never be bad along
And so I smiled mama, what can I do'
Well, she told me she love Mr. Bootsey too
Bop along, bop along, all along, Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Bop along, bop along, bop along, Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Mama told me everything about
But not about Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
[Incomprehensible], bop along, bop along, Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Bop along, bop along, bop along, Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Mama told me everything
But not about Bootsey Whitelaw
The lyrics of Ike Turner's song "Bootsey Whitelaw" tell a story of a narrator who grew up without a mother, as she died when they were born. The absence of a maternal figure left the singer reliant on their mother's teachings about life on the streets and survival. However, there is one important topic that was left out of those teachings, and it is the enigmatic character known as Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw.
Bootsey Whitelaw is described as tall, big, tan, and incredibly attractive, but somewhat mysterious. He had a serious demeanor, never laughing or playing around. Despite the lack of information about him from the singer's mother, the women in town are drawn to him, and the singer falls in love with him.
The lyrics express the singer's infatuation with Bootsey, despite the potential risks of having their heart broken. The singer admits that their mother, too, loved Bootsey, but they don't reveal what they should do in this situation. The repeated chorus emphasizes the allure and fascination with Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw while acknowledging that they have been left with much uncertainty and curiosity.
Overall, the lyrics of "Bootsey Whitelaw" unveil a story of growing up without a mother, relying on her teachings about street life, and encountering an intriguing figure who captivates the singer's heart, yet remains shrouded in mystery.
Line by Line Meaning
Mama died when I was born
I never knew my mother because she passed away when I came into this world.
So all I ever knew was my mom
My mother was the only person in my life who played a significant role and influenced me.
I tell you that I, I never ever went to school
I want to emphasize that I missed out on a formal education and have never attended school.
My mama told me all about street rules
But despite that, my mother taught me everything I needed to know about how to navigate the streets and survive.
Not about Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
However, she purposely left out any information about a person named Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw.
He was tall, big and tan
Describing Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw, he was a physically imposing presence, being both tall and well-built with a tanned complexion.
I tell you he was a hell of a good looking thing
I must emphasize that he possessed exceptional attractiveness and charisma.
Between his eyes he had two frown
Interestingly, he had a somewhat permanent serious expression, with two vertical lines furrowing his forehead.
He never laugh or play around
Despite his good looks, he rarely displayed a sense of humor or engaged in lighthearted activities.
But not about Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
However, even with these distinctive qualities, my mother deliberately avoided mentioning anything specific about Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw.
Bop along, bop along, bop along, Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Let's enjoy ourselves, move and groove together while mentioning the name of Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw.
He lived way up across town
Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw resided in an affluent area located far away from where I lived.
Women love him, bop around
It is a well-known fact that women were highly attracted to him, often dancing and socializing with him.
Ooh, I loved him right from the start
I must express that I immediately fell in love with Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw when I first encountered him.
I didn't even care if he broke my heart
Such was my infatuation that I was willing to endure the pain of a broken heart if it meant being with him.
But not about Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Yet, despite my overwhelming affection for him, my mother remained silent and withheld any knowledge of Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw.
Sing along, bop along, bop along, Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Let's join in harmony, singing and moving to the rhythm while chanting the name of Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw.
I beg and pose along
I would go to great lengths and put on a facade to impress him.
'Cause I want him more this time
My desire to be with Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw has become even stronger on this occasion.
Nobody promised me all along
Despite having no prior assurances, I felt compelled to pursue a future with Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw.
He told me that he could never be bad along
He assured me that he would always remain faithful and trustworthy in our relationship.
And so I smiled mama, what can I do'
I felt conflicted and uncertain about my feelings, so I turned to my mother for guidance, smiling as I sought her advice.
Well, she told me she love Mr. Bootsey too
To my surprise, my mother revealed that she also had affections for Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw.
But not about Bootsey Whitelaw
Despite her admission, my mother continued to avoid providing any information or insights regarding Bootsey Whitelaw.
[Incomprehensible], bop along, bop along, Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Inaudible words, but still, let's continue our joyful rhythmic movement while acknowledging Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw.
Bop along, bop along, bop along, Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw
Once again, let's move and groove together enthusiastically, repeating the name of Mr. Bootsey Whitelaw.
Mama told me everything
Although my mother was a source of knowledge and guidance, there were certain things she intentionally kept from me.
But not about Bootsey Whitelaw
Specifically, she never shared any details or secrets regarding Bootsey Whitelaw.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TINA TURNER
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind