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Medical Examiner: Ike Turner Died of a Cocaine Overdose

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January 16, 2008 6:05 PM ET

Ike Turner's death on December 12th of last year has been ruled "a cocaine overdose," according to the San Diego County Medical Examiner's office. "We are listing that he abused cocaine, and that's what resulted in the cocaine toxicity," said Paul Parker, the office's chief investigator. Hypertensive cardiovascular disease and pulmonary emphysema are also being listed as "significant and contributing factors" to Turner's death. Turner battled emphysema throughout his final years, but didn't allow it to stop him from making music and touring. To read Rolling Stone's obituary for the legendary musician, click here.

Related Stories:
• Ike Turner: Photos, Music and Classic Rolling Stone Feature
• Remembering Ike Turner, Rock Pioneer and R&B Giant (1931-2007)
• Phil Spector Insults Tina Turner at Ike's Funeral

To read the new issue of Rolling Stone online, plus the entire RS archive: Click Here

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“1999”

Prince | 1982

“I don’t consider myself a great poet,” Prince told Rolling Stone. “I just know I’m here to say what’s on my mind.” In the case of the apocalyptic party anthem “1999,” he was worried about then-president Ronald Reagan’s foreign policies. The song’s melody is based on a riff borrowed from the Mamas and Papas’ “Monday, Monday,” and Prince originally envisioned the first verse with three-part harmony but later split the vocals between himself and members of the Revolution. Because Warner Bros., with whom Prince was locked in a contractual battle, owned the original’s masters, Prince rerecorded the song and appropriately released that version in 1999.

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