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Archive for December 2007
Rock and roll pioneer Ike Turner, a controversial though incredibly beloved figure in music, passed away today in San Diego at the age of 76. Born in Clarksdale, MS, he was one of the last living legends of the rock and roll era.
Turner, it is agreed by critics and historians, wrote and recorded in 1951 the first official “rock and roll” song, “Rocket ‘88″, at Sam Phillips Recording Company here in Memphis with Jackie Brenston and the Delta Kings (who were actually Turner’s Kings of Rhythm and to whom the song was later credited, reportedly “for financial reasons”). But Ike’s biggest successes as a performer and songwriter finally came with the Ike & Tina Turner Review, a partnership which produced a string of hit songs and, along with it, the virtues and vices of fame and fortune.
It goes without saying that his private life with ex-wife Tina Turner became the stuff of controversy, documented both in Tina’s autobiography and the film What’s Love Got To Do With It?, and Ike’s struggles with both marital and heavy substance abuses led to a number of tumultuous relationships and run-ins with the law which would serve to derail his career.
However, in spite of his reputation both on and off the road, Turner remained a respected artist for his early contributions to rock and roll and toured up until the time of his death. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 and was awarded a lifetime achievement by the Recording Academy in 2002 for his many accomplishments as a producer, talent scout, songwriter and musician, a list too great and many to list here.
R.I.P. Ike
Jackie Brenston & His Delta Cats (featuring Ike Turner on piano) - Rocket 88
Check out more on Ike Turner at Living In Stereo.
About an hour ago, I received the very sad news that Pimp C, co-founder of seminal rap group The Underground Kings (known to the world as UGK), had been found dead in his hotel room at Le Mondrian in Hollywood. Nobody is releasing any further details, but the timing could not be any worse. Having been recently freed from prison, UGK’s 2007 epic self-titled double-CD has been declared by many in the rap world as the #1 rap album of the year and “International Hustler’s Anthem (I Choose You) (featuring OutKast)” was the rap anthem of the summer on Memphis radio. UGK’s, and in particular Pimp C’s, connections to the Memphis rap family stretch far and wide.
We here at Loudersoft wish to express our condolences to the family, friends, and fans of Pimp C.
UPDATE: UGK’s record label, Jive Records, released a statement just moments ago.
It is with great sadness that Jive Records announces the passing of Chad “Pimp C” Butler, a member of the celebrated rap duo UGK (Underground Kingz). Jive Records’ President and CEO Barry Weiss states: “We mourn the unexpected loss of Chad. He was truly a thoughtful and kind-hearted person. He will be remembered for his talent and profound influence as a pioneer in bringing southern rap to the forefront. He will be missed and our prayers remain with his family and Bun B. I’ve known Chad since he was 18, and we loved him dearly and he was a cherished member of the Jive family.”
Born in Port Arthur, Texas, Butler’s father was a trumpet player who played professionally with Solomon Burke. Outside of his father, the 33-year old rapper’s influences varied, ranging from Bobby Bland, Jimmy McGriff, the 1960’s Motown artists to Run DMC. Butler met his inseparable partner Bernard “Bun B” Freeman in high school where they formed UGK. In 1992, the duo signed to Jive Records and went on release a total of eight albums for the label. They earned their highest achievement earlier this year when their most recent album, UGK (Underground Kingz), debuted in the number one position on the album pop chart. According to the New York Times, UGK “helped inspire a generation of Southern hip-hop stars, from OutKast to Lil Wayne.
UGK - International Hustler’s Anthem (I Choose You) (featuring OutKast)
