A public viewing for late rock 'n' roll pioneer Ike Turner will be held on Thursday in Los Angeles with funeral services to follow the next day in Gardena, his management has confirmed.
- Turner's body will be on public view at the Angelus Funeral Home at 3875 South Crenshaw Blvd. on Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The public may also attend his funeral on Friday, Dec. 20 at 11 a.m. at Greater Bethany Community Church City of Refuge, located at 14527 South San Pedro St.
TMZ.com is reporting that Turner's fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Little Richard and Soloman Burke are scheduled to speak at the funeral service. Tina Turner, the late musician's ex-wife of 16 years, will not attend either service, according to Bang Showbiz.
TMZ is also reporting that Turner's final moments at his San Marcos home on Wednesday included a breakfast in the morning followed by a nap intended to last only a few minutes. His personal assistant was at the house, along with members of his Kings of Rhythm band.
According to TMZ, one of the musicians from the band went to wake Ike up, and he was non-responsive. Paramedics were called around 11 a.m. and were unable to revive him with CPR.
Results of an autopsy are pending. However, Turner's manager has said that Ike suffered from emphysema that was getting progressively worse.
Despite health issues, Ike continued to record and had several tours scheduled for 2008. Ike's manager tells TMZ that the musician was in final negotiations for a life story movie and was near the end of filming a pilot for a reality TV show.
*****
R.I.P., Dude
R.I.P., Dude
