Turner made many claims in interviews: he said that he first had sex at the age of 6, and that he was married 14 times.
He was an accomplished boogie-woogie pianist and Blues guitarist who was one of the '50s most sought-after musicians and bandleaders.
He discovered Tina Turner, leading to very successful Ike and Tina Turner Revue. Their marriage, however, was disastrous, and after Tina enjoyed a career resurgence in the '80s and published her autobiography (which was made into a movie), Ike was defined as a wife-beater and constantly had to answer questions regarding Tina's alleged spousal abuse rather than discuss his place in music history. Responding to questions about the abuse, Ike usually admitted he slapped Tina, but claimed it was far from abusive and was also mutual.
Tina was originally merely Ike's houseguest after becoming pregnant by the group's saxophone player.
He was serving a prison term In California when he was inducted into the Rock Hall Of Fame in 1991. Accepting the award for him was Phil Spector.
He died of a cocaine overdose on December 12, 2007. An autopsy showed that a long history of cardiovascular disease and emphysema contributed to Turner's death. (thanks, Bertrand - Paris, France, for all above)