Resolution honoring Ike Turner stirs controversy in Miss. Senate

By SHELIA BYRD
Associated Press Writer

JACKSON, Miss. --

Is the life of music icon and alleged wife-beater Ike Turner worth commending?

That question stirred debate in the Mississippi Senate on Friday as lawmakers decided whether to approve a resolution in honor of Turner, a Clarksdale native who died in December of a cocaine overdose at the age of 76.

The lengthy debate was unusual for the chamber, which has commended the lives of several Mississippi natives who have made their mark in the entertainment industry.

Sen. Gary Jackson, a Republican pastor from French Camp, said he was concerned about voting for the Turner resolution because of the publicized accounts of Turner's tumultuous relationship with his then-wife, legendary singer Tina.

"He did some great work, but Ike Turner put his fist in the face of his wife on many occasions," Jackson said Friday. "I appreciate his accomplishment in the music world, but I'm just concerned the overwhelming legacy of Ike Turner is not his music, but his cocaine abuse and his wife abuse."

Sen. Johnnie Walls, a Democrat lawyer from Greenville, introduced the resolution and criticized his colleagues for singling out Turner for ridicule.

"We have commended people here for all sorts of great contributions without knowing anything about their personal lives," Walls said. "(Turner's) contributions to the musical world are undeniable."

So far this session, the Senate has honored country singer Charley Pride and bluesman Bobby Rush. And in recent years, the Legislature has honored Sela Ward, Faith Hill and B.B. King.

After a half-hour debate, the Senate approved an amendment to change the resolution to read that Turner's "music contributions" rather than his life would be honored.

Sen. Kenny Jones, D-Canton, offered the amendment, but he suggested there was a double standard for entertainers.

"I honestly don't know why we have to spend this much time debating this particular bill. I know for a fact this Senate has commended Elvis Presley, and Elvis Presley also died of an overdose," Jones said. Presley was born in Tupelo.

Turner, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, is credited by many rock historians with making the first rock 'n' roll record, "Rocket 88," in 1951. It was groundbreaking for its use of distorted electric guitar.

Turner had a string of hits throughout his career, but his legacy was tarnished by his image as a drug-addicted, brutally abusive husband depicted in the movie "What's Love Got to Do With It?" The movie was based on Tina Turner's autobiography.

In a 2001 interview with The Associated Press, Turner denied his ex-wife's claims of abuse and expressed frustration that he had been demonized in the media while his pioneering role in rock music was overlooked.

The resolution is Senate Concurrent Resolution 522.

 

Eye candy

The interior space of Bottletree is itself a work of art. Merrilee said she chose to paint the floor orange and the walls green, her favorite colors, because it "felt homey, yet funky."

Artwork by Tuscaloosa musician Elliott McPherson currently hangs on the wall to the left of the entrance to the building. A painting of the late Ike Turner hangs on the men's bathroom door, and a painting of Tina Turner hangs on the women's bathroom door to let customers know which door to enter. Old tin lunchboxes sit on a shelf behind the bar to remind customers of that childhood they can't quite leave behind.

Turner, the former husband of singer Tina Turner, died last month at the age of 76.

"We are listing that he abused cocaine, and that's what resulted in the cocaine toxicity," said Paul Parker, chief investigator of the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office.

Hypertensive cardiovascular disease and pulmonary emphysema were "significant and contributing factors" in Turner's death, the Associated Press reported.

Turner, whose musical accomplishments were overshadowed by his reputation as a brutal abuser of his wife, died on December 12 after years of drug abuse.