Click On To Title To Link To YouTube's Film Clip Of Bill Haley Performing Ike Turner's "Rocket 88". Wow!
CD Review
Here is a little taste of Ike Turner's later work.
Risin’ With The Blues, Ike Turner, Zoho Roots, 2006
I have mentioned the recently departed Ike Turner’s rough and tumble drug-induced later lifestyle and his problems with ex-wife Tina Turner elsewhere in this space so there is no need to repeat that here. I have also mentioned Ike’s key role as ‘talent spotter’ in the 1950’s for Chess Records (and Sun Records' Sam Phillips, I believe) and his pivotal role in the early move from R&B to rock & roll with the super-classic hit “Rocket 88”. Thus, his place in musical history (with the appropriate asterisks) is secure. And should be.
“Risin’ with the Blues” is a late effort (2006) where Ike goes out in front and does many of the lead vocals, some successfully, some not. The instrumental work is excellent, as is to be expected on a Turner platter. But, to be honest, not all of the vocals made me want to jump, which I assume was Ike’s intention here since some of the works are tributes to those like Louis Jordan who influenced the young Ike Turner. That said, his version of “Eighteen Long Years” (usually five in most versions but the number is used as a dig at Tina) is fine, as is “Big Fat Mama” and “Rockin’ Blues”. We part company, however, on “Jesus Loves Me” his musical retort to Tina’s charges in her book and in the movie.
You know what, go out and get some early Ike and the Rhythm Kings. Then you will be sure to get what Ike was all about and why he has a secure place in musical history. And remember that seminal “Rocket 88”. I went crazy when I listened to it recently after not hearing it for a long time.
*******
Songfacts:
In 1991, after a great deal of debate, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognized this as the first Rock and Roll song ever recorded. Turner was in jail at the time for cocaine possession, so his daughter accepted the award.
The song is about a car. The Oldsmobile "Rocket 88" just came out and was the fastest car on the road at the time. It was advertised as having a V-8 "Rocket" engine.
This was produced by Sam Phillips, who formed Sun Records in 1954. Phillips discovered Elvis in 1955.
Jackie Brenston, who was a member of Ike Turner's Rhythm Kings, sang lead. The single was credited to "Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats" because Phillips wanted to release a different record credited to Turner.
This was a #1 R&B hit. There were no rock charts at the time.
Turner and his band were playing black clubs in the American South when B.B. King set up a recording session for them in Memphis with Phillips. They wrote most of this on the way to the session.
On the drive to the session, the band's amplifier fell out of the car and broke the woofer. Turner shoved paper in it at the studio to cover the problem, which ended up providing a more distinct sound. The sounds that came from the damaged amp resulted in this being cited as one of the first songs to feature guitar distortion.
Brenston was credited with writing this, although he admitted he stole the idea from a 1947 song called "Cadillac Boogie."
General Motors gave Brenston a Rocket 88 to thank him for the publicity this generated for the car.
Brenston did not handle success well. He quickly spent the money he made from this, became an alcoholic, went broke, and died in 1979.
Turner played piano on this. It was a huge influence on Little Richard, who used the piano intro on his 1958 hit, "Good Golly Miss Molly."
There were other songs recorded before this that could be considered Rock and Roll, but this was unique in that it appealed to a white audience.
Turner recorded a new version of this in 2000.
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine (issue 93) in 1971, Ike Turner recalled how despite this being a local hit, he made little from it: "Some dude at the record company beat me, and I only got $40 for writing, producing, and recording it. And the lead singer (Jackie Brenston) took the band from me and went on his own."
Rocket '88 lyrics
You may have heard of jalopies,
You heard the noise they make,
Let me introduce you to my Rocket '88.
Yes it's great, just won't wait,
Everybody likes my Rocket '88.
Gals will ride in style,
Movin' all along.(Guitar solo, leading into steel guitar solo.)
V-8 motor and this modern design,
My convertible top and the gals don't mind
Sportin' with me, ridin' all around town for joy.(
Spoken) -- Blow your horn, Rocket, blow your horn!(Horn sound effect leading into guitar solo.)
Step in my Rocket and-a don't be late,
We're pullin' out about a half-past-eight.
Goin' on the corner and-a havin' some fun,T
akin' my Rocket on a long, hot run.
Ooh, goin' out,Oozin' and cruisin' along.(Guitar solo.)
Now that you've ridden in my Rocket '88,
I'll be around every night about eight.
You know it's great, don't be late,Everybody likes my Rocket '88.
Gals will ride in style,
Movin' all along.(Fade out, ending with sound effect of a car driving away.)
CD Review
Here is a little taste of Ike Turner's later work.
Risin’ With The Blues, Ike Turner, Zoho Roots, 2006
I have mentioned the recently departed Ike Turner’s rough and tumble drug-induced later lifestyle and his problems with ex-wife Tina Turner elsewhere in this space so there is no need to repeat that here. I have also mentioned Ike’s key role as ‘talent spotter’ in the 1950’s for Chess Records (and Sun Records' Sam Phillips, I believe) and his pivotal role in the early move from R&B to rock & roll with the super-classic hit “Rocket 88”. Thus, his place in musical history (with the appropriate asterisks) is secure. And should be.
“Risin’ with the Blues” is a late effort (2006) where Ike goes out in front and does many of the lead vocals, some successfully, some not. The instrumental work is excellent, as is to be expected on a Turner platter. But, to be honest, not all of the vocals made me want to jump, which I assume was Ike’s intention here since some of the works are tributes to those like Louis Jordan who influenced the young Ike Turner. That said, his version of “Eighteen Long Years” (usually five in most versions but the number is used as a dig at Tina) is fine, as is “Big Fat Mama” and “Rockin’ Blues”. We part company, however, on “Jesus Loves Me” his musical retort to Tina’s charges in her book and in the movie.
You know what, go out and get some early Ike and the Rhythm Kings. Then you will be sure to get what Ike was all about and why he has a secure place in musical history. And remember that seminal “Rocket 88”. I went crazy when I listened to it recently after not hearing it for a long time.
*******
Songfacts:
In 1991, after a great deal of debate, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame recognized this as the first Rock and Roll song ever recorded. Turner was in jail at the time for cocaine possession, so his daughter accepted the award.
The song is about a car. The Oldsmobile "Rocket 88" just came out and was the fastest car on the road at the time. It was advertised as having a V-8 "Rocket" engine.
This was produced by Sam Phillips, who formed Sun Records in 1954. Phillips discovered Elvis in 1955.
Jackie Brenston, who was a member of Ike Turner's Rhythm Kings, sang lead. The single was credited to "Jackie Brenston and His Delta Cats" because Phillips wanted to release a different record credited to Turner.
This was a #1 R&B hit. There were no rock charts at the time.
Turner and his band were playing black clubs in the American South when B.B. King set up a recording session for them in Memphis with Phillips. They wrote most of this on the way to the session.
On the drive to the session, the band's amplifier fell out of the car and broke the woofer. Turner shoved paper in it at the studio to cover the problem, which ended up providing a more distinct sound. The sounds that came from the damaged amp resulted in this being cited as one of the first songs to feature guitar distortion.
Brenston was credited with writing this, although he admitted he stole the idea from a 1947 song called "Cadillac Boogie."
General Motors gave Brenston a Rocket 88 to thank him for the publicity this generated for the car.
Brenston did not handle success well. He quickly spent the money he made from this, became an alcoholic, went broke, and died in 1979.
Turner played piano on this. It was a huge influence on Little Richard, who used the piano intro on his 1958 hit, "Good Golly Miss Molly."
There were other songs recorded before this that could be considered Rock and Roll, but this was unique in that it appealed to a white audience.
Turner recorded a new version of this in 2000.
In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine (issue 93) in 1971, Ike Turner recalled how despite this being a local hit, he made little from it: "Some dude at the record company beat me, and I only got $40 for writing, producing, and recording it. And the lead singer (Jackie Brenston) took the band from me and went on his own."
Rocket '88 lyrics
You may have heard of jalopies,
You heard the noise they make,
Let me introduce you to my Rocket '88.
Yes it's great, just won't wait,
Everybody likes my Rocket '88.
Gals will ride in style,
Movin' all along.(Guitar solo, leading into steel guitar solo.)
V-8 motor and this modern design,
My convertible top and the gals don't mind
Sportin' with me, ridin' all around town for joy.(
Spoken) -- Blow your horn, Rocket, blow your horn!(Horn sound effect leading into guitar solo.)
Step in my Rocket and-a don't be late,
We're pullin' out about a half-past-eight.
Goin' on the corner and-a havin' some fun,T
akin' my Rocket on a long, hot run.
Ooh, goin' out,Oozin' and cruisin' along.(Guitar solo.)
Now that you've ridden in my Rocket '88,
I'll be around every night about eight.
You know it's great, don't be late,Everybody likes my Rocket '88.
Gals will ride in style,
Movin' all along.(Fade out, ending with sound effect of a car driving away.)
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