The Ikettes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Ikettes
The Ikettes in 1965: Venetta Fields, Robbie Montgomery and Jessie Smith
Background information
Genres	R&B, soul, pop
Occupation(s)	Backing vocalists, Girl group
Years active	1960–1976; 1988–2000s
Labels	Atco Teena Sony Sonja Innis Phi-Dan Modern Pompeii Liberty United Artists
Associated acts	Ike & Tina Turner, Ike Turner, Tina Turner, The Mirettes, Kings of Rhythm
Past members	Robbie Montgomery Eloise Hester Jo Armstead Jessie Smith Venetta Fields Pat Arnold (a.k.a. P.P. Arnold) Juanita Hixson Gloria Scott Maxine Smith Pat Powdrill Ann Thomas Rose Smith Paulette Parker (a.k.a. Maxayn Lewis) Esther Jones Claudia Lennear Edna Richardson Linda Shuford-Williams Stonye Figueroa Yolanda Goodwin Jeanette Bazzell Turner Randi Love (a.k.a. Michelle Love) Audrey Madison Turner See members section for others

The Ikettes, originally called The Artettes, were a group of female singers. They mostly sang backup for the famous Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Even though they started as backup singers, the Ikettes became successful artists on their own. In the 1960s, they had popular songs like "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)" and "Peaches 'N' Cream." In 2017, Billboard magazine listed "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)" as one of the 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time.

The group began as "The Artettes," who were backup singers for Art Lassiter. The first official Ikettes were Delores Johnson, Eloise Hester, and Josie Jo Armstead. The most well-known group of Ikettes included Robbie Montgomery, Venetta Fields, and Jessie Smith. This trio later formed their own group called The Mirettes.

As the 1960s went on, the Ikettes became famous for their look on stage. They wore minidresses, had long hair, and performed energetic dance routines. These routines were similar to those of their mentor, Tina Turner. Tina once said, "They represent me, and in my act they gotta look outta sight at all times. There's simply no room for sloppiness and unprofessionalism." She also liked the look of long, straight hair moving and short skirts dancing. Tina wanted lots of action on stage during their shows.

The Ikettes' Musical Journey

Early Years: 1960–1968

In early 1960, Art Lassiter missed a recording session. So, Ike Turner used Lassiter's backup singers, the Artettes, to sing with Tina Turner on the song "A Fool in Love." This song became a hit! After its success, Ike created the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. He brought in new backup singers: Delores Johnson, Eloise Hester, and Jo Armstead. Robbie Montgomery could not join at first because she was pregnant.

The new Ikettes recorded "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)" the next year. Ike produced the song, and it was released by Atco Records. In November 1961, the song reached No. 3 on the Billboard R&B chart. It also hit No. 19 on the main Hot 100 chart.

Robbie Montgomery rejoined the group after her baby was born. She teamed up with Jessie Smith and Venetta Fields. This trio became the first official Ikettes. The group toured constantly across the U.S. They often played in places like the Apollo Theater in New York and the Howard Theater in Washington, D.C.

In 1962, Ike moved the Ikettes to his own record label, Teena Records. They released two songs there: "Crazy in Love" and "Prisoner in Love." The name of "Prisoner in Love" was later changed to "No Bail in This Jail." This was to avoid confusion with a song by James Brown.

During this time, Bonnie Bramlett briefly joined the Ikettes. She was the first white Ikette.

The song "Here's Your Heart" came out in 1964 but did not become a national hit. "What'cha Gonna Do (When I Leave You)" also did not become popular in 1966. From 1964 to 1966, they released six songs on Modern Records. These included "The Camel Walk" (1964) and two hits: "Peaches 'N' Cream" (1965) and "I'm So Thankful" (1965).

When "Peaches and Cream" became very popular, Ike sent a different group of Ikettes to tour. He kept Montgomery, Smith, and Fields with his own show. Later, Montgomery, Fields, and Smith left to form their own group, the Mirettes. Ike then hired new Ikettes, including Pat Arnold (also known as P.P. Arnold), Gloria Scott, and Maxine Smith.

The first album by the Ikettes, Soul The Hits, was released in 1966. Later that year, Ike & Tina Turner toured with The Rolling Stones in the UK. The Ikettes on that tour were Rose Smith, Pat Arnold, and Ann Thomas. Other Ikettes during this time included Pat Powdrill and Paulette Parker.

In 1968, the song "So Fine" was released. It was credited to Ike & Tina Turner & the Ikettes. It reached No. 50 on the R&B chart. In summer 1968, a new group of Ikettes was formed. It included Edna Richardson, Claudia Lennear, and Esther Jones.

Later Years: 1969–1976

In 1969 and 1970, The Ikettes (with Ike & Tina Turner) released songs that became hits. These included covers of "Come Together" by the Beatles and "I Want to Take You Higher" by Sly & the Family Stone.

In November 1969, The Rolling Stones again asked Ike & Tina Turner to open for them. This time, it was for their American tour. The Ikettes on that tour were Claudia Lennear, Esther Jones, and Pat Powdrill. They also performed on The Ed Sullivan Show in January 1970.

In 1971, the Ikettes released their first song on United Artists Records, called "Got What It Takes (To Get What I Want)." In 1972, "Two Timin', Double Dealin'" was released. This was the last known song by the Ikettes. Edna Richardson returned to the group in 1971 and stayed until 1976.

The Ikettes had strict rules to follow and could be fined if they didn't meet expectations. Esther Jones was the "longest-lasting Ikette." She was known as "Motha" Ikette and trained the group. She also created most of their dance moves.

The last album by the Ikettes, (G)Old & New, was released in January 1974. The Ike & Tina Turner Revue stopped performing later that year.

Later Reunions: 1988–2000s

After the original group ended, Tina Turner formed new groups of Ikettes. These included Jeanette Bazzell, Randi Love, Stonye Figueroa, Vera Hamilton, and Audrey Madison.

Life After The Ikettes

Many Ikettes went on to have successful careers after leaving the group.

• Jo Armstead became a solo artist and later joined a songwriting and production team.
• Bonnie Bramlett formed the duo Delaney & Bonnie and had hits like "Never Ending Song of Love."
• Venetta Fields sang backup for Ray Charles, Humble Pie, and Pink Floyd. She also sang for Barbra Streisand in the movie A Star Is Born. She later moved to Australia and worked with many Australian artists.
• Edna Richardson later became a backup dancer for Tina Turner during her solo career.
• Janice Singleton and Maxine Smith toured with artists like Leo Sayer and Joe Cocker.
• Paulette Parker became Maxayn Lewis and formed the band Maxayn. She toured with Gino Vannelli and Donna Summer.
• Esther Jones sang with the band Formula 5. She passed away in 2006.
• Robbie Montgomery sang backup for many stars, including Barbra Streisand and Stevie Wonder. She later became a successful restaurant owner and starred in a reality TV show.
• Claudia Lennear sang backup for Joe Cocker and Humble Pie. She also released a solo album. She later left music to become a teacher and appeared in the documentary 20 Feet from Stardom.
• P.P. Arnold left the Ikettes and had a successful solo career in the UK. She had hits like "The First Cut Is The Deepest."
• Shelly Clark formed the group Honey Cone and had a number-one hit song called "Want Ads" in 1971.
• Marcy Thomas later performed with Ike Turner and appeared on the reality show Love & Hip Hop: Hollywood.
• Ann Thomas worked for the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, handling their wardrobe.
• Jeanette Bazzell Turner continues to perform and also works as a real estate broker.
• Audrey Madison Turner appeared on The X Factor in 2011.

Members of The Ikettes

Members from the 1960s–1970s

Members from the 1980s–2000s

• Jeanette Bazzell Turner (1988–2000)
• Bonnie Johnson (1988)
• Marcy Thomas, a.k.a. Lyrica Garrett (1988)
• Vera Hamilton (mid-1990s)
• Stonye Figueroa, a.k.a. Barbara Cook (1998)
• Randi Love, a.k.a. Michelle Love (mid 1990s–early 2000s)
• Audrey Madison Turner (1993–early 2000s)

Discography: Albums and Songs

Albums

Compilation Albums

• 1987: Fine Fine Fine (Kent Records)
• 2007: Can't Sit Down... 'Cos It Feels So Good: The Complete Modern Recordings (Kent Records)

Singles

The Ikettes had 3 songs that appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. They also had 3 songs on the Billboard Hot R&B chart, including one top 10 hit. They also appeared on charts with Ike & Tina Turner.

Film and TV Appearances

Images for kids

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  Tina Turner and the Ikettes (Esther Jones, Gail Stevens and Edna LeJeune Richardson) performing in Hamburg in 1972