Takin' Back My Name: The Confession of Ike Turner

by Ike Turner, Ike Turner

Ike Turner writes about his first band, The Kings of Rhythm, his career as a talent scout, and his first meeting with the singer who would become Tina Turner, and recounts their subsequent relationship

Genres: Music

271 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1997

About the author

Ike Turner (born Ike Wister Turner) was an American musician, bandleader, talent scout, and record producer, best known for his work with his then wife Tina Turner as one half of the Ike & Tina Turner duo. Spanning a career that lasted half a century, Ike's repertoire included blues, soul, rock, and funk. Alongside his former wife, he was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1991 and in 2001 was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame.

Reviews

[Scott Tuft · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting take on an incredible man. He doesn't refute any of the accusations and is not delusional in any way. He tells it like it is. Not the best written book but definitely gives you a good look at an important and fascinating man. While there is no excuse for someone to be abusive, there are reasons. This book is full of them.

RIP Ike.

[Anjanette Baity · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always wanted to hear his side of the story!

I've always felt that the movie "Whats Love Got To Do With It" was over exaggerated .
Ike did not deny that he fought Tina.
He realized he made mistakes, and did acknowledged them.
I believed him when he wrote things such as he did not rape Tina.
I did not know that he was not the father of Tina's first child.
I believed him when he wrote how Tina knew of his relationships with other women. Actually, they were best friends! She used to set him up with many of these women at the same time!
So surely she didn't expect him to be faithful!
I felt sorry for him because that movie did hurt him professionally .....and I do believe that he did not get the credit he deserved. Poor Ikr!

[Mozella Ibrahim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A wild read!

Ike Turner might be a music genius but if one is to go by his words in this book he was a sociopath and narcissist. I thought this was a joke some of the stuff was so out there. And the co author Nigel should be fined and fired for not at least making sure the editing was good.

[sanner faye crook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

Great book there is always several side to a story her side his side then the truth .no one can say what really happened all they can say is they are both great entertainers

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gifted human

I'm glad finally got to read Ikes side. It's a shame all that talent was overshadowed for a time by liberties taken by Hollywood.

[Rosalinda Sepeda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is only my opinion of what I have read between “I Tina” & “My Love Story” and Ike Turner “Taking My Name Back”.

Ike Turner had a big responsibility as the owner of his band and many other duties he had to manage. He indicates the gifts he gave away. Was he just showing off? Then later expected for these people be there for him when he was in trouble. And to do the drugs the way he said did, I am surprised he was not dead back then. He states Tina was like a sister then a mother to him. So why did he not break up the relationship before Tina calling it off. WOW! The language he used in the book was outrages.

My opinion of Tina she already was singing when she was young.
As a singer she was sexy. I feel her singing improved after she left Ike Turner and she was just attracted to white men as it could have been the opposite for others.

[Bookishgamer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A hard one to rate!

Firstly I’m a massive Tina turner fan so I was intrigued to read the other side of the infamous story.

Ike had a difficult life, and as such he seemed a difficult character. I don’t excuse his actions and neither does he, however I can understand how he turned into the man he was.

Not very well written, as switched between Ike and the biographer (whose parts I enjoyed more).

I did learn a few more things about a story I thought I knew however so was still worth a read for me.

[Nancy Rae French · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too much

I found this book interesting, but just a little unbelievable. I've read a lot of things about Ike Turner, I just don't believe he was as innocent as he says

[Beverley Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a sad life but what a comeback. Go girl you rock. Strong, powerful black woman!

[Tresha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining

It is only fair to listen to Ike's side. The book needed some serious proofreading , but his story is here for all to read.

[Zenaida Odom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book could use a good proofreader and editor. Ike Turner was a hell of a musician. But he was not, by his own account, always a good person.

[Sasha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating look in the mind of notorious Rock pioneer - who would probably be all but forgotten if not for reasons that has nothing to do with music. It could have been very different book if someone else helped with editing and steered the story more towards the most important era - that particular time when out of R&B came Rock and Roll - since Turner was right there and had much to say about the times, however with the best intentions the book never truly discusses the music and mostly goes into bragging about sex, drugs and Rock and Roll. We all know Turner was genuinely important as architect of Rock and Roll, but this book never explain why.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars based on the entertainment value of the book. Some of Ike's stories sound straight up made up, but in general his tone is sincere. It isn't that Ike didn't do some fucked up things, but that Ike doesn't think they were wrong in the first place. Whatever he was, he was also a HUGE talent and contributed so much to modern music. He was definitely a fascinating man.

[Rayburn Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

Great read a pretty good book, would definitely read it again. So much information that's not out in the forefront