The Ikettes

The Ikettes were a female backing vocal group for R&B duo Ike & Tina Turner, performing primarily as a trio, though occasionally expanding to a quartet. The group originated in 1960 when Ike Turner recruited members of Art Lassiter's backing trio, the Artettes—Robbie Montgomery, Frances Hodges, and Sandra Harding—to record "A Fool in Love" with Tina Turner after Lassiter failed to appear for a scheduled session. Following the success of the single, Turner formed the Ike & Tina Turner Revue and assembled a new backing group, soon known as the Ikettes. Although initially conceived as support vocalists, the Ikettes achieved success as recording artists in their own right, scoring hits in the 1960s such as "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)" and "Peaches 'N' Cream". In 2017, Billboard ranked "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)" No. 63 on its list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. The group's lineup changed frequently over the years, with notable members including Joshie "Jo" Armstead, Pat "P. P." Arnold, Shelly Clark, Paulette Parker (Maxayn Lewis), Claudia Lennear, Pat Powdrill, Ester Jones, Venetta Fields, Lejeune "Edna" Richardson, and Marcy Thomas (Lyrica Garrett). One of the most recognized later lineups featured Robbie Montgomery, Venetta Fields, and Jessie Smith, who subsequently formed the Mirettes. The Ikettes became known for their dynamic stage presence, characterized by coordinated dance routines, minidresses, and a high-energy performance style that complemented Tina Turner's lead vocals. When R&B singer Art Lassiter failed to appear for a recording session in early 1960, bandleader Ike Turner enlisted his backing group, the Artettes—Robbie Montgomery, Frances Hodges, and Sandra Harding—to record "A Fool in Love" with his vocalist Little Ann (later Tina Turner). Following the single's success, Turner formed the Ike & Tina Turner Revue and assembled a new backing trio: Delores Johnson, Eloise Hester, and Jo Armstead, as Montgomery was pregnant and unable to tour. The group recorded "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)" in 1961, which was released on Atco Records, and reached No. 3 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 19 on the Hot 100. Montgomery later returned and, with Jessie Smith—recruited from Benny Sharp and the Zorros of Rhythm—and Venetta Fields, a gospel singer from Buffalo, New York, formed the first official incarnation of the Ikettes. The revue toured extensively on the Chitlin' Circuit in the segregated South, with occasional performances at major venues such as the Apollo Theater in New York, Howard Theater in Washington, D.C., and Uptown Theater in Philadelphia. In 1962, Turner moved the group to his Teena label, releasing "Crazy in Love" and "Prisoner in Love" (later retitled "No Bail in This Jail" to avoid confusion with a song by James Brown). During this period, singer Bonnie Bramlett briefly joined as the first white Ikette. Bramlett recalled that she was an Ikette for three days when she was 17. She put on a dark wig to cover her blonde hair and used Man Tan to darken her skin. In 1964, the Ikettes released "Here's Your Heart" on Innis Records and "What'cha Gonna Do (When I Leave You)" on Phi-Dan Records in 1966, though neither achieved national success. Between 1964 and 1966, they issued several singles on Modern Records, including "The Camel Walk" (1964) and the hits "Peaches 'N' Cream" (1965) and "I'm So Thankful"(1965). As "Peaches 'N' Cream" gained popularity, Ike Turner sent a separate lineup—Janice Singleton, Diane Rutherford, and Marquentta Tinsley—on tour with the Dick Clark Caravan of Stars, while Robbie Montgomery, Jessie Smith, and Venetta Fields remained with the revue. The trio later left to form the Mirettes, prompting Turner to recruit new Ikettes, including Pat Arnold, Gloria Scott, and Maxine Smith. The group's first album, Soul the Hits, was released in 1966. That same year, Tina Turner recorded the Phil Spector-produced single "River Deep – Mountain High," on which the Blossoms, rather than the Ikettes, provided backing vocals. Following the song's success in Europe, Ike & Tina Turner were invited to tour with the Rolling Stones during their British tour. The Ikettes on that tour were Rose Smith, Pat Arnold, and Ann Thomas. In late 1966, Shelly Clark was an Ikette until she was injured in a bus accident involving the revue in Wichita, Kansas. During this period, the Ikettes' lineup shifted frequently, with members including Pat Powdrill, Jean Brown, Paulette Parker, and Juanita Hixson in 1967. In 1968, the single "So Fine," released on Pompeii Records and credited to Ike & Tina Turner & the Ikettes, reached No. 50 on the R&B chart. A new lineup featuring Edna Richardson, Claudia Lennear, and Ester Jones emerged that year. Subsequent releases on Minit Records and its parent label Liberty Records in 1969–1970 included covers such as "Come Together" by the Beatles and "I Want to Take You Higher" by Sly & the Family Stone. The group continued touring the country, including the Rolling Stones' American tour in 1969. The Ikettes on that tour were Pat Powdrill, Ester Jones, Claudia Lennear. The Ikettes gained further exposure on television appearances on programs such as Playboy After Dark, The Ed Sullivan Show, The Andy Williams Show, and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. In 1971, Liberty Records was absorbed into United Artists Records, and the Ikettes released their first single for the label,"Got What It Takes (To Get What I Want)." Their final known single, "Two Timin', Double Dealin'" followed in 1972. That year, the Ikettes appeared on Soul Train in April 1972 and also provided backing vocals on Gayle McCormick's album Flesh & Blood (1972). In October, Tina Turner and the Ikettes performed at the Star-Spangled Women for McGovern–Shriver concert at Madison Square Garden. Lineup changes continued into 1973, including the temporary departure of Ester Jones. Despite frequent turnover, Jones—nicknamed "Motha" Ikette—was the group's longest-serving member and played a key role as rehearsal leader and choreographer. That year, various lineups appeared on television and international programs, including The Midnight Special and Hits à Gogo. Members Linda Sims and Debbie Wilson, along with Tina Turner, also contributed backing vocals to Frank Zappa's albums Over-Nite Sensation (1973) and Apostrophe (') (1974), recorded at the Turners' Bolic Sound studio in Inglewood. The Ikettes became known for their tightly synchronized choreography and distinctive stage style. Tina Turner emphasized their visual presentation, stating in Esquire: "They represent me, and in my act they gotta look outta sight at all times. There's simply no room for sloppiness and unprofessionalism." The Ikettes’ final album, (G)Old & New, was released in 1974.That year, Edna Richardson, Stonye Figueroa, and Linda Sims appeared on Don Kirshner's Rock Concert. They were soon replaced by Ester Jones, Yolanda Goodwin, and Marcy Thomas, who comprised the group's primary lineup for much of 1974. By 1975, a lineup featuring Edna Richardson, Yolanda Goodwin, and Ester Jones was in place, and they continued performing until the Ike & Tina Turner Revue disbanded in 1976. In 1988, Ike Turner attempted an ill-fated return to the stage with Marcy Thomas, Bonnie Johnson, and Jeanette Bazzell as his Ikettes. He was arrested on drug charges the following year. After serving 18-months in prison he managed to rehabilitate his cocaine addiction and he revived his career in the 1990s. Turner formed new sets of Ikettes, which included Jeanette Bazzell, Nina Hill, Randi Love, a.k.a. Michelle Love, Stonye Figueroa, Vera Hamilton, and Audrey Madison. Jo Armstead – Pursued a solo career before forming the songwriting/production team Ashford, Simpson & Armstead with Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. P. P. Arnold – Left after the 1966 UK tour with the Rolling Stones; achieved solo success in the UK with hits including "The First Cut Is The Deepest" and "Angel