Ike Turner died of cocaine overdose

By: DENIS DEVINE and TERI FIGUEROA - Staff Writers
Music legend's Dec. 12 death due to drug use, medical examiner says | Thursday, January 17, 2008 1:39 AM PST ∞

A cocaine overdose killed Ike Turner, 76, at his San Marcos home on Dec. 12, the San Diego County Medical Examiner's Office reported Wednesday.
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NORTH COUNTY -- Years after he reportedly kicked a well-documented drug habit, a cocaine overdose killed legendary musician Ike Turner, the San Diego County medical examiner's office said Wednesday morning.

"A high amount of cocaine" exacerbated the controversial rhythm and blues and rock pioneer's hypertensive cardiovascular disease and pulmonary emphysema, a medical examiner's spokesman said in explaining the cause of death. The North County Times broke the news of the medical examiner's conclusion on its Web site Wednesday morning.

Turner was 76 when he died Dec. 12 at the San Marcos home he rented.

Turner's daughter, Mia, said Wednesday that the family was "in shock" at the medical examiner's toxicity report, which was finalized Monday, and that it "overstates the situation."

"Daddy at that point was not doing drugs to the level it leads to believe," she said in a telephone interview late Wednesday morning.

She said her father's drug use was "an ongoing struggle."

"I know where he was the last seven or eight months (of his life)," Mia Turner said. "I know what he has accomplished in that battle."

But last month, Mia Turner told the North County Times that the idea that her late father had drugs in his home at the time of his death was "an out and out" lie.

The news that cocaine played a role in Ike Turner's death was surprising and disappointing to band mates who had performed with him in recent years.

"I really thought that was something he was finally able to put past him," saxophone player Leo Dombecki said. "I'm sure that will go down as another strike against the guy."

Bass player Kevin Cooper also said he thought Turner had long ago put his illicit drug use behind him.

"It sucks, that's for sure," Cooper said. "What could have driven any man into doing that, especially at that age? It just seems unreal, completely unimaginable."

Cooper was the music director on Turner's 2006 album "Rising with the Blues," that won a Grammy last year. Cooper said he last saw Turner around the time of the recording.

"When I was with him, he was surrounded by positive people. Evidentially, there was some evil element that creeped its way back into his life, and that element is the reason he is 6 feet under right now," Cooper said.

The medical examiner's office has not yet released the complete autopsy report.

Billy Ray, the drummer with Turner's band, the Kings of Rhythm, was in the home when Turner was found. He said in December -- before the medical examiner confirmed that cocaine use led to Turner's death -- that he did not see drugs or paraphernalia there.

"He was a man who knew he was going to pass away," Ray said, "and if smoking bud or cocaine gave him solace in his final days, what difference would it be if he had a bottle of bourbon or Paxil?"

Drug allegations also figure in a court struggle between Turner's most recent of many wives -- accounts, often supplied by Turner himself, vary widely of how many wives he had over his tumultuous life -- and his children.

Turner's would-be heirs are feuding over a modest estate that court documents say amounts to $200,000, and lawyers are contending with a contradictory set of handwritten wills purportedly penned by Turner.

Turner's relapse into cocaine use may come into play in the battle over his estate, said Leodis Matthews, an attorney representing four of Turner's children in the probate case.

Among the points of contention in the legal battle are those two conflicting wills supposedly penned by Turner, including one written two months before he died, giving everything to a recent ex-wife. He later apparently handwrote a note revoking that will.

"I'm suspicious that those documents were created under circumstances where he might not have been fully aware," Matthews said of the handwritten wills. "It also raises questions about some of the people who were around him, which is not any of the kids."

Turner's formidable musical legacy was overshadowed by his infamous abuse and mistreatment of another of his many ex-wives, pop star Tina Turner. He was widely reported to have kicked cocaine in his later years, but his drug abuse was almost as legendary as his musical achievements.

When Ike and Tina Turner were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in 1991, Ike Turner was serving 18 months at the California Men's Colony state prison in San Luis Obispo for a parole violation after 11 drug-related arrests.

In Turner's autobiography, he estimated that he had spent $11 million to support his cocaine habit in the 1970s and 1980s. As with so much about the man's legend, conflicting stories abound about when he first tried the drug. But he told a Chicago Tribune reporter in 1991, "I used to fire people if I caught them with even a roach, and now I got a hole in my nose that you could put your ink pen in."

Turner's place in music history is secure. Born in Clarksdale, Miss., in 1931, Turner was a musical mover and shaker in the world of blues music by his teens, with a popular DJ gig and working as a talent scout for major record labels.

He learned at the feet of blues legends like Pinetop Perkins and played guitar and piano with Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon and B.B. King before his mid-20s.

In 1951, Turner's band, the Kings of Rhythm, recorded what is widely considered the first rock 'n' roll song, "Rocket 88," though the label issued what would become a hit song under the singer's name, Jackie Brenston.

He recruited a young Anna Mae Bullock in 1954 to become an "Ikette" backup singer. They were soon married, she changed her name to Tina and the band's name to the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. The band would score multiple Top 10 hits in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including "River Deep-Mountain High" and "Proud Mary," before Tina Turner left Ike and a bitter divorce ensued in 1978.

Tina Turner's 1987 autobiography, "I, Tina," and the 1993 film based upon it, "What's Love Got to Do With It?" portrayed Ike as a violent thug. The movie's popularity and salacious details became a pivotal moment in American culture, spurring public interest in solving the often-hidden problem of domestic violence.

Ike Turner contended that he was mischaracterized in the book and film, and told a North County Times reporter last year, "I'm not the person that they made me in the movie."

But he also wrote in his 2001 autobiography, "Taking Back My Name," "Sure, I've slapped Tina. ... We had fights and there have been times when I punched her without thinking. But I never beat her. I did no more to Tina than I would mind somebody doing to my mother in the same circumstances."

On Wednesday, Turner's daughter said she hoped that people would remember that her father was "an icon, a major contributor to the industry," rather than the drugs or the violence.

"I don't want anybody dwelling on the movie status, this quote unquote autopsy," Mia Turner said. "So what? They need to dwell on the positive influences. The negative does not define us."

-- Contact staff writer Denis Devine at (760) 740-5415 or ddevine@nctimes.com. Contact staff writer Teri Figueroa at (760) 740-5442 or tfigueroa@nctimes.com.

44 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

Diet or regular wrote on Jan 16, 2008 12:32 PM:coke? He should have used Pepsi.

Fred H wrote on Jan 16, 2008 12:45 PM:The greatest underrated guitarist ever. We miss the man/we miss the music. Need more be said?

Told ya! wrote on Jan 16, 2008 12:49 PM:Cocaine's a powerful drug!

esteban wrote on Jan 16, 2008 12:59 PM:Yeah, the doctor is lying. Conspiracy.

Boy...what a SAD End wrote on Jan 16, 2008 1:06 PM:76 years old and still doing coke!! And then to die with an estate only worth $200,000!!
Let this be a lesson, drug abuse will kill you, rob you, and not blink an eye! Thank goodness Tina got out of that mess!!

I figures wrote on Jan 16, 2008 1:11 PM:Ike had to end it on a "high" note.

Ha ha wrote on Jan 16, 2008 1:16 PM:To the blogger at 1:06 - 76 and still doing coke? What a way to go. He lived a full life and had an estate when he died - more than I can say for most folks. Drug abuse didn't stop him from reaching a ripe old age. I'm sure my dead 50 somethinig workaholic friends would envy him. They had more money when they kicked the bucket - but missed out on 25 extra years of fun!

John wrote on Jan 16, 2008 1:17 PM:I like Ike. At least he didn't do steroids!!

What? wrote on Jan 16, 2008 1:34 PM:If you have hypertensive cardiovascular disease and pulmonary emphysema you might want to lay off the coke for a while. I have punched her but I never beat her? What? If you punch someone you are beating them. There's not much grey area when it comes to violence.

Jr wrote on Jan 16, 2008 1:48 PM:76 and still doin coke? I want to be just like that when I grow up.

Ghost of Ike wrote on Jan 16, 2008 2:10 PM:C'mon Anna Mae, just eat the...eat the cake, Anna Mae!

Concerned-1 wrote on Jan 16, 2008 3:10 PM:So what. Let him rest in peace. Yeah, I know it's "news," but only for the tabloid set. Play on Ike!

Downturn wrote on Jan 16, 2008 3:12 PM:"Ike Turner died of a cocaine overdose."



Yawn............

Looser. wrote on Jan 16, 2008 4:07 PM:Better hope he didn't owe anything for that high... the dealers will be coming looking for it.

Say no to blow wrote on Jan 16, 2008 4:29 PM:Notice he didn`t die from a pot overdose? Thats because its not possible unless you choke on milk & cookies. 76 years is not bad for a person who lived hard, heck thats pretty darn good.

Hard to believe.... wrote on Jan 16, 2008 5:36 PM:a musician would be involved with drugs

JSten wrote on Jan 16, 2008 8:01 PM:OK folks, nothing to see here.

Move along,

Move along

Lisa wrote on Jan 16, 2008 8:24 PM:First, I want to say that I was very sad to hear about Ike Turner's passing. This blog is not very personal...but, I do extend my condolences to his loved ones. Mr. Ike Turner has a permanent place in music history and worked hard to achieve that place. Noone can deny that! The negative and "smart-alec" comments (about Ike) are not necessary and are in poor taste! My husband & I met Ike Turner at a New Year's celebration at Croce's in SD. Ike & his date (with whom we sat with) we very friendly and we danced together throughout the night. It was a fun night! We will always remember that! And we will always remember Ike Turner for his musical contributions. Rest in Peace, Ike!

Glad you had fun with Ike, Lisa wrote on Jan 16, 2008 9:09 PM:But the remarks about him are true and deserved. He earned them as a wife beater, drug user, and poor example to youth of what a man should be. He made rock and roll not cool.

To Lisa wrote on Jan 16, 2008 9:29 PM:I wouldn't be boasting about partying with Ike and his "date"....save it for the coke crowds; it doesn't make you a celebrity just because you bar tripped with one. I'd be embarrassed considering the scum links to child killing coke kings.

Um, yeah wrote on Jan 16, 2008 10:24 PM:"overstates the situation." Yup, death is very understated.

To Glad wrote on Jan 16, 2008 11:05 PM:Hey Bush was a drug user. So was Rush Limpbag. And they can't play guitar worth a hoot.

Fluxtrax wrote on Jan 17, 2008 1:53 AM:Say or think what you will but Ike could be a really nice guy. I worked for him for a year back in the 70's. Perhaps not a paragon of virtue but certainly not the monster some would have you believe. If you sat and talked with him you would probably walk away liking him. My condolences to his family and friends. He will be missed.

Frida wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:32 AM:Crazy. I had no idea Ike Turner lived in San Marcos. May he rest in peace and thanks to those who continue to work towards a drug-free future.

give it a rest wrote on Jan 17, 2008 8:08 AM:Is this TMZ.com

Ike gets slammed.... wrote on Jan 17, 2008 8:10 AM:for being a drug addict because he was BLACK and used cocaine. If he were white and abused alcohol and/or vicodin, no one would make a big deal out of it. Bush was an alcholic, Cheney has had three DUI's, and rush "drugs bunny" limbaugh chomped down opiates like twinkies. Another republican double standard.

To "Ike gets slammed" wrote on Jan 17, 2008 10:27 AM:How is it a double standard? I remember reading about all of those people in the papers, too. Rush in particular was all over the news for weeks. This was one story. It would be a double standard if the papers DIDN'T write about Turner's drug abuse.

To Ha Ha.... wrote on Jan 17, 2008 3:02 PM:Wow, something to aspire to! Sorry but I plan to live a full life...WITHOUT dying of a coke overdose! Your mentality is what's wrong with our drug RIDDLED youth!
Yeah, drugs are cool, so is wife beating! And the fact that he wouldn't take offense to someone "slapping, punching" his own mother...yeah the guys a hero!!
Sorry I'll find another role model!

RACE? wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:05 PM:BLACK? What does that have to do with anything? What does race have to do with anything?

Rock n' Roll!!!!! wrote on Jan 17, 2008 4:42 PM:To 9:09 - what do you mean he made rock and roll look uncool?!?!? R&R is cool by its very nature, and it's full of bad boys and girls. That's what makes it cool. To 3:02 - Drug Riddled youth? Yup, now get over it! Your time is over so move over and give the youth a chance to mess up this world. Remember, Ike was a blues player, and a blues player has got to have the blues, or he ain't no good. Now, to have the blues, you have to have the highs that go with it. No highs, no blues. I really feel bad for all those folks who think they never had the blues, 'cuz those folks had the blues, they just couldn't recognize it for what it was. I feel bad because if you can't feel the blues, well, the highs just ain't that high. So all these people who ain't felt the blues didn't feel no highs either! What a boring way to live your life! Now Ike had all sorts of problems - we all do! But Ike felt the blues, and he felt the highs too! Wow! Coke at 76. I hope Keef makes it that far...

The Racism Continues... wrote on Jan 17, 2008 6:49 PM:as Ike Turner is demonized for his drug use while Rush Limbaugh refuses to even acknowledge that he bought dope to feed his addiction. Ike was twice the man that Rush can ever hope to be. At least he fessed up to his problems while Rush continues to beat the hypocritical Republican drum.

Ike, Bush, Rush wrote on Jan 17, 2008 7:18 PM:They are all idiots....they are all OD's on stupidity, dead or alive, who cares!

To Rock N Roll: wrote on Jan 17, 2008 7:24 PM:Sure, everybody feels the blues. But we don't do coke to feel better. What a dope, blowing 10 mill of coke up his whole blasted nose. Yeah, I feel his pain. Stupid, all about feeling good cuz he wasn't.

To Racism Cont.... wrote on Jan 17, 2008 7:27 PM:He demonized himself, not for his drug use, but for his wife beating. And he thinks his own mom deserves a beating now and then too! May he now be in a nice warm place.

Daren wrote on Jan 17, 2008 7:56 PM:This story is supposed to mean something to me because.....?

To Rock & Roll... wrote on Jan 17, 2008 8:54 PM:You are pathetic!! And if you need to do COKE to feel highs and lows, your life is pretty sorry! Don't you get it...drugs DON'T make you feel....they make you numb! You only think you are feeling....but it's all FAKE!! Yeah I hope to make it to 76 too....but I'll tell you what, there won't be any COKE in my future and I'll be all the better for it!!
Good luck to you...it will be a blast to watch you crash and burn!!
Have fun!!

To 8:54 wrote on Jan 18, 2008 9:08 AM:Oh man, you really don't get it, do you. R&R is made up of misfits, miscreants, and all sorts of highly creative and unstable people. Drug use among these types of people is prevalant. It is not prevalant among the people you hang around with. You don't use drugs - hey that's great, and it won't get in the way of you enjoying R&R, but guess what? You are totally incapable of creating any R&R. Your ho hum existence is anchored with stability, values, norms, and a strict code of behaviour. Basically, zero creativity. For you, R&R is an escape. Ike's life, as other R&R's, is full of instability, insecurity, lax values and code of behaviour. In some regards, that's the price you pay for creativity. Ike certainly never begruged your life and your choices - he was happy to share his music with you. You, on the other hand, want to focus on the fact that he may not have been the best husband, father, friend, hero, whatever. OK, tell the world something new! Get over it! People want to celebrate his music, and you want to remind them of his weaknesses. In closing, I have to say that you are the pathetic one. We will both live to 76 - you will be concerned about whether you lived up to your expectations and responsibilities, and will worry about how others may perceive you - did yo play it by the book. Me? I will be confident that I have lived my life the way I wanted to, enjoying the highs as much as the lows, and if there's a little blow on the table, or some hooch in the pipe, so be it!

To: To 8:54 wrote on Jan 18, 2008 5:20 PM:YOU don't get it! Drugs are NOT the answer to your mood swings. No one needs COKE to be creative, either you are, or you are not! No excuses for drug abuse or women abuse. Supporting the Coke business supports the coke kings that care only about greed and don't give a damn about the lives they destroy. Sure, be a part of the problem if you choose, you and Ike, live for yourselves instead of being an asset to this world. Excuses, excuses, I hope you land in jail too, you and whoever you share your addiction with. ...

Drugs wrote on Jan 18, 2008 5:43 PM:I remember working with a guy years ago that played trumpet for Rick James when he toured with Ike and Tina Turner. He told a story about Ike coming into the band room backstage at a show and throwing a huge bag of coke on the table and saying "Here you go guys, knock yourselves out".

jusmeincv wrote on Jan 18, 2008 6:43 PM:he was a liar.....guess his daughter is too

to 5:20 wrote on Jan 19, 2008 12:46 PM:Well, I guess you have proved my point. If you truly feel that Ike's presence in this world and his contributions are not an asset, then why bother commenting on his ? No one denys that wife abuse is a bad thing - no one denies that coke addiction is a bad thing - but that's not what funerals are about. Will you be saying the same thing when Sean Connery dies? I expect you to. In fact, whenever you attend a funeral, I expect you to focus only on what went wrong in the deceased life because to do otherwise would be to glorify all those that profit from what is wrong with our world. It would be being part of the problem, not the solution. Yes, you don't need coke to be creative, but I have found that exceptionally creative people are somewhat d souls, and sometimes they pick up an addiction, a vice, or something to deal with their frustrations and not being understood. This spans Einstien to Mozart, Churchill to Grant, Coltrane to Miles, Sarte to van Gogh. Hey, one of the most common denominators between all human societies is the desire to self medicate. So, what will you be thinking at your next funeral?

Nate W. wrote on Feb 18, 2008 5:52 PM:my best friend was Ike's music director for the album he one a grammy for.He took me with him on several occasions and i thought ike was a very nice guy.The people who are saying bad things about him never met him.

jENNiFER * wrote on Mar 6, 2008 10:38 PM:Yo, I'm still madd interested at him being a San Marcos resident like me, lol. Um, also it's crazy how no one will ever know who he was, but let a newstory cause madness on blogs. It's funny seeing people argue. But I must say someone winning with knowledge is a super turn-on. So To: to: 5:20.. *tips hat/winks, lol*

roxyRED wrote on Apr 30, 2008 2:33 PM:wow... thats hekka sad

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