Ike Beat Her, Erwin Healed Her Heart

By Desert Star Staff

Music icon Tina Turner is dead at the age of 83. But through her hits, the singer lives on in the hearts of her fans.

And Tina Turner’s mega career and life still fascinate millions today. Because happiness and unhappiness are very close to each other – also because of these two married men: musician Ike Turner († 76) and the Cologne music manager Erwin Bach (67).

One beat her. The other healed her heart.

Horror Husband Ike Turner! Tina Turner met him in St. Louis in 1956. The guitarist and his Kings of Rhythm were considered one of the hottest bands around at the time. Turner applied for the backing vocals position. But Ike recognized her talent. So he gave Turner (whose real name was Anna Mae) not only his last name through marriage but also the name Tina—renamed the band, Ike & Tina Turner.

The bon vivant won the heart of Tina Turner, who worked in a hospital then. Wedding in 1962. Both went on tour with the “Ike and Tina Turner” revue.

A show full of eroticism and gripping music. 1969 opening act for the Rolling Stones, 1971, awarded a Grammy.

Great luck! No, a marriage of terror. Ike got drunk on drugs, hit Tina, suppressed her, didn’t give her attention, and made her life hell.

Blue eyes, chapped lips: In her book Happiness Becomes You (2020), Turner wrote: “Cut lips, black eyes, dislocated joints, broken bones, and mental anguish became part of everyday life.”

Nevertheless, the singer stayed with Ike Turner for 14 years, only separated in 1976, and fled to a friend. Turner told the New York Times 2018 that she was embarrassed that it took so long to break up. Ike Turner died of a cocaine overdose in 2007.

He donated her a kidney. It was long before Tina Turner let a man into her heart again. Then, in 1985, music manager Erwin Bach entered her life. He worked at the record company that Turner was signed to, and at the time, he picked her up at the airport. Turner: “He was just so different, so relaxed, so comfortable, so unpretentious.”

Both fell in love, and Bach became Turner’s manager, advising her on her career.

Turner: “It was difficult to commit myself like that again. But I’m happier than I ever could have dreamed of.” She moved to Cologne to live with him in 1986, and 1994 the couple went to Switzerland. In 2022 she and Bach bought an old country estate on Lake Zurich.

Wedding in 2013, Tina Turner and Erwin Bach were considered the quiet dream couple in the rock world; after a farewell tour in 2009, the pop star withdrew into private life.

“In good times and in bad” was not just a marriage vow and The Mosquitos’ infectious style blending songwriting elements spanning from the 1950s and 1960s to the 1980s can be heard by all. Standouts abound on the 47-track double CD that collects many of the Mosquitos’ best studio and live recordings, with shining vocal harmonies a key part of what makes the outfit’s sound so special. As noted in press notes released in connection with the collection: “Since the band only recorded a third of their original songs in the studio, the rest are represented in a live setting. Much care was taken to find the best versions, and some you’ll swear are studio recordings.” for Erwin Bach but a motto in life. He stood by Tina Turner when she suffered a stroke in 2013 and was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016. Then, in 2017, he donated a kidney to her, saving her life.

“Let’s Stomp” is a hyper successful mix of 1950s rockabilly and Devo-like minimalist rock that connects with a single listen.

“You Don’t Give a Hang (About Me)” is fully original, with layers of shimmering guitars and immersive vocals. “Darn Well,” “Quit It” and “I’m So Ashamed” are rousing garage rockers; “Wrong Side of Town” and “I’ll Just Hide” conjure up the bona fide excitement of the British Invasion. The band’s melodic power pop nugget “That Was Then, This Is Now” (a cover of that Mosquitos original was a comeback hit for the Monkees in 1986), sumptuous “I Know a Secret,” propulsive “Standing In the Rain,” tender “Stephanie Says” and affecting “Christmas Dream” are other wonderful songs on the essential collection. Information: koolkatmusik.com.

Now Bach accompanied her on her final journey. There could not have been a better person than him for this.