IKE TURNER died in his sleep after deciding to take a nap following breakfast.
The rocker passed away at his San Marcos, California home, on Wednesday (12Dec07), aged 76. Turner was with his personal assistant and members of the band Kings of Rhythm when he lay down to rest after finishing his meal. However, when one of the musicians tried to wake him, the star was unresponsive and panicked staff immediately called an ambulance.
But attempts to resuscitate Turner failed and paramedics were forced to declare him dead just after 11am. The official cause of death has yet to be determined but he was known to have been suffering from the lung condition emphysema.
Despite his health suffering in recent years, Turner continued to record music and had several tours scheduled for 2008. The musician was also in final negotiations for a movie about his life and had nearly finished filming the pilot episode of a reality TV show, according to TMZ.com.
There will be a public viewing of the body at the Angelus Funeral Home in Los Angeles on 20 December (07). The funeral service will take place the next day (21Dec07) and will be held at the Greater Bethany Community Church City of Refuge in Gardena, California.
