Ike Turner, known as much for his soulful duets with his wife, Tina Turner, as he was for having abused her, died in San Diego yesterday. He was 76.
"Tina is aware that Ike passed away earlier today," her spokeswoman, Michele Schweitzer, told The Associated Press. "She has not had any contact with him in 35 years. No further comment will be made."
Turner, often credited with having made the first rock album, 1951's "Rocket 88," was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 along with Tina. He released his last solo album, "Risin' With The Blues," in 2006 and won a Grammy for Best Traditional Blues Album.
Newsday's obit is here.
PHOTO: The Associated Press