Top Of The Box

Ike & Tina Turner - Nutbush City Limits, 1973

Anna Mae Bullock was born in 1939 in a ‘little old town called Nutbush.’

After joining Ike Turner’s band The King of Rhythm as a backing singing in 1956, and changing the name of the band to the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, Ike & Anna Mae Bullock (aka Tina Turner) released their first hit single in the United States in 1960. Ike Turner played guitar and Tina Turner sang lead vocals on A Fool In Love.

Throughout the 1960’s Ike & Tina Turner released over 40 US singles with a handful of titles making the US Billboard Top 40. But the only UK hit was the 1966 classic River Deep Mountain High. And surprisingly enough, River Deep Mountain High only charted in the US Billboard charts at number 88.

And though singles contniued to be released up until 1977, there was only one other top 30 hit on both sides of the Atlantic, and that was, for me the best one. In 1973 Nutbush City Limits sounded like nothing else on Earth!

Hearing the chugging distorted guitar of Ike Turner and Tina Turner’s vivacious half-shouting half chanting vocals were shocking enough. But that was nothing compared to seeing the singer on Top Of The Pops in a spangly mini dress, prancing around the stage with so much energy, and a mouth about as wide as the Blackwall Tunnel.

Seeing Tina Turner sing Nutbush City Limits was scary! But what a fantastic, totally original song. I love the sound of that guitar.

By 1975 Ike & Tina Turner’s popularity had faded and the inevitable split was apparent as Tina Turner began performing solo on US tv shows. She also starred as the Acid Queen in The Who’s rock opera musical, Tommy.

Soon after Ike & Tina Turner divorced and legal proceedings were completed in court in 1978. Tina has since claimed that she was a victim of abuse at the hands of Ike Turner throughout their 14 year marriage, due in part to Ike’s addiction to coacine and prescription drugs.

In 1984 Tina Turner’s solo career went global with the album Private Dancer. It sold over 11 million copies, and included the biggest hit of her recording career to date, What’s Love Got to Do With It.

Sadly, Ike Turner died earlier this year.  But Tina Turner is still performing.  Tina Turner tickets are now available.

Here is a brilliant version of Nutbush City Limits recorded live for US television, complete with full band and backing singers, The Ikettes.

Ike & Tina Turner were inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991.

UK Live Events

Another music artist who has been recording since the 1960’s is also touring.  Stevie Wonder tickets are available for his forthcoming UK shows.

Tickets can be bought for other live events including comedy and sport.  You can buy Steve Coogan tickets from the Viagogo website.