Ike Turner passed away Wednesday. Tom Stewart of the Backwater Blues Band called me. Tommy was going to have lunch with Ike yesterday when he found out. I was sitting with Michael Prichard of Anthology where KPRi has had several private shows. All three of us had a different perspective on Ike (as do you.)

Ike's credited by many experts as the writer of the first rock and roll record. It's a simple little "me and my car song" ... a song called "Rocket 88".

Of course he's notorious as the "abusive" husband of Tina Turner. By Ike's own admission, he made a lot of mistakes.

Ike had legendary problems with drugs. Musically he was a perfectionist. He shaped the entire character of Tina (the stage persona that is Tina Turner.)

In recent years he started getting his act together... I recall him as one of the most frankly honest interviews I've ever done. No apologies. He did what he did. He admitted it. He wasn't proud of it. Bluntly Honest... Just like his music.

Here's to you Ike. From all of us rockers who know what you did for rock and roll.