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Ike Turner's funeral was part memorial service, part rock concert. The nearly three-hour remembrance on Saturday in Gardena featured Turner's eight-piece band, the Kings of Rhythm, which performed rollicking renditions of some of the musician's greatest hits, including Nutbush City Limits and Proud Mary.
The songs brought the crowd of hundreds to its feet. "Daddy wouldn't want any of us crying," said Turner's daughter, Mia. "He would want us to throw a party." Among those eulogising Turner, who died December 13 at age 76, were music producer Phil Spector and rock'n' roll pioneer Little Richard, who described his friend as "one of the greatest musicians I have ever met in my life".
Turner was responsible for a string of successful songs throughout his career, including 1959's A Fool in Love and 1970's Take You Higher, but his musical legacy was forever tarnished by his image as the drug-addicted, brutally abusive former husband of Tina Turner.
