Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Little Richard & Soloman Burke to speak at Ike Turner's funeral service

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Ike Turner's Last Moments Revealed

Posted Dec 15th 2007 12:28PM by TMZ Staff



http://www.tmz.com/2007/12/15/ike-turners-last-moments-revealed-continued/

TMZ has exclusively learned how the events of Ike Turner's last moments played out.

Ike Turner had just finished eating breakfast last Wednesday morning at his home in San Marcos, Calif. and decided to lay down to rest for a few minutes. His personal assistant was at the house, along with members of the Kings of Rhythm band. One of the musicians from the band went to wake Ike up, and he was non-responsive. We're told paramedics were called around 11:00 AM and unsuccessfully performed CPR.

The cause of death is not yet known, but according to Turner's manager, Ike had been suffering from emphysema for years and the disease was getting progressively worse.

Despite health issues, Ike continued to record and had several tours scheduled for 2008. Ike's manager tells TMZ that the musician was in final negotiations for a life story movie and was near the end of filming a pilot for a reality TV show.

There will be a public viewing of Ike Turner's body at the Angelus Funeral Home in L.A. on December 20. Funeral services are also public and will be held at the Greater Bethany Community Church City of Refuge in Gardena, Calif. on December 21.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Little Richard and Soloman Burke are scheduled to speak at the funeral service.

[tigereye]

1. oh! I missed this. I wondered why they were replaying an old Fresh Air

interview with him earlier this week!

Although I can't say that I admired the man, he did make some good music and helped Tina get her start, despite all his problems...

[Amerigo Vespucci]

2. He was supposedly in the middle of turning his life around...

...I was immediately reminded of Arthur Lee, the mastermind behind the psychedelic group Love. He went to prison for firearms charges in 1996 under California's "Three Strikes" law, was released in December 2001, toured in 2002 with a performance of the full "Forever Changes" album, received the "Living Legend" award at the 2004 NME awards, and then died in August 2006 after a long bout with leukemia.

Redemption is great, but some people end up with a very short time in which to enjoy it. I've got to quote Warren Zevon once again, from his final days..."enjoy every sandwich."

:toast: