Gloomy Tunes: Ike Turner

Merle Ginsberg reminded me that yesterday was the anniversary of Ike Turner’s death. Now given the current political climate, even typing the words “Ike Turner” could quash any hope I had of elective office, but while he was a truly awful man, a monster whose name should be stricken from the book of life, he made some damned fine records. And could play that guitar. We start out with Ike and Tina on the bluesy “I’d Rather See Him Dead,” a song Tina sounds completely convincing singing. Tina wasn’t alone; the great Betty Everett aches over her unworthy man even as she promises   “I’ll Weep No More”

As important as he was as a musician and bandleader (his “Rocket 88,” credited to Jackie Brenston and the Delta Cats, is often credited with being the first rock and roll record), he was just as important as a talent scout, discovering stars such as Bobby Bland and Elmore James for the Los Angeles-based Modern Records, and recording two of the greatest Howlin’ Wolf tracks, “How Many More Years,” and “Moanin’ At Midnight” (and selling the masters to both Modern and Chicago-based Chess Records).

Steven Mirkin

Steven Mirkin’s diverse career has taken him from politics to pop culture to high art, offering him a front row seat to some of the most fascinating events and personalities of our time: writing speeches, fundraising appeals and campaign materials for Ed Koch, John Heinz and independent presidential candidate John B. Anderson; chronicling the punk/new wave scenes in New York and London; interviewing musicians such as Elton John, John Lydon and Buck Owens; profiling modern masters Julian Schnabel, Paul Schrader and Jonathan Safran Foer; and writing for TV shows including 21, The Chamber, Let's Make A Deal, and Rock Star: INXS.