Thursday, July 24, 2008
Ike and Tina Turner and the Ikettes
This is the first Rock performance up close and personal I ever saw. I was walking through the Union building at the University of Utah. I was a student and cutting through the hall behind the ballroom (which is a pretty overblown name for the small space--probably seating for a couple of hundred people and this is what I heard and saw. I know this performance isn't the one I saw, but it comes damn close. I stopped dead in my tracks and listened for a moment and then moved in closer. I saw Tina singing and Tina dancing that was a jaw dropping, spellbinding experience. They were doing Proud Mary and it looked like this only more vivid and sweat flying and those amazing legs of hers pumping, strutting across the stage with the lovely Ikettes behind her.
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Yep, I was at that Union Ballroom gig myself. Had heard of Ike and Tina, decided to check it out. A little wine got me in the door (I'm sure a joint as well). Leaned against one of those pillars separating the ballroom from the hall, just casual, expecting to move on.
Ike comes out with the band, a little warm up music. I'm diggin' it already. Then the Ikettes jiggle on out, followed by Tina. And my head exploded!
Wow! what a show, and I'm sure it was a run of the mill performance for them (in SLC). Just great, and unforgettable. Thanks for mentioning the moment.
rev. What a coincidence. It was amazing. I became a Tina fan forever. And for a little run of the mill gig for them, she gave it her all, and I could swear she was wearing that same ass exposing "skirt" thingy, and those fabulous legs, never still. Ike was just a bass note.
UT I had a similar reaction to seeing Tina Turner. This was back in, oh maybe 1972, and they were playing in one of the vegas showrooms. I don't recall how I ended up near the stage, I wasn't a fan of their music before, but once SHE got going (which was immediately, like from the very first note, no warm up), it was unbelievable. I was almost under her dress & was out of breath just watching her! And it wasn't just one song, but EVERY single song. She knocked me out.
I knew nothing about Ike's "problems" til much later. To me, it looked like Tina owned the show. But there was Ike, like some kind of buzzard in the background, giving evil dagger looks to various band members at various points in their performance. Tina never even looked at him, as I recall.
Tina Turner is def awesome. I always preferred after the Ike phase, even tho she was quite terrific then.
She's just more diva-tastic in the solo years in my opinion.
I think I pulled a muscle just watching that.
A group of friends and I have tickets to see Tina Turner in October. She's coming to Los Angeles. I cannot wait to see her perform - all energy, all soul, all class - she is amazing.
That must have been a helluva show!
Omigod times 1,000! I was at that performance! My ex was a student at U of U and I was an ardent fan of Tina Turner. We were poor as church mice, and had never before attended a live concert. But this was a must! I loved every second of the concert, but Proud Mary was my favorite. Thank you so much for bringing back one of my favorite Utah memories.
tina turner is a unique and one of a kind talent ---
she was SO much better after Ike (abuse can do that....)
i still remember her in Tommy.
and she still looks amazing!
Yeah, she's a marvel. Some women just get better and better. I wish I were one of Diva's gal pals with tickets to her concert. Lucky broads.
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