IKE TURNER - TURNER LAID TO REST

TURNER LAID TO REST

IKE TURNER has been laid to rest in California with a suitably rock 'n' roll service in his honour. The musician's funeral on Friday (21Dec07) was dubbed "part memorial service, part rock concert" for its crowd-rousing musical contributions and star-studded turn out. Turner's eight-piece band, the Kings of Rhythm, brought the crowd of hundreds at the Gardena, California service to its feet with renditions of some of the star's greatest hits, including Nutbush City Limits and Proud Mary. Turner's daughter, Mia Turner, said, "Daddy wouldn't want any of us crying. He would want us to throw a party." Among those eulogising the rocker - who died in his sleep at his California home earlier this month (12Dec07), aged 76 - were music producer Phil Spector and rock pioneer Little Richard, who described his friend as "one of the greatest musicians I have ever met in my life." Spector, who produced Turner's song River Deep, Mountain High, told the congregation, "There was only one Ike, and I learned more from Ike than any professors I know." Turner was responsible for a string of hits throughout his career, including A Fool in Love and Take You Higher, but his musical legacy was forever tarnished by his image as the drug-addicted, brutally abusive former husband of singer Tina Turner, who did not attend Friday's funeral. When Turner died, a spokeswoman for Tina said she hadn't had contact with him in 35 years and refused to comment further on his passing.