The Ikettes

The Ikettes, originally known as The Artettes, are a female backing vocal group formed in 1960 in the United States. Initially serving as backup singers for Art Lassiter, they later became integral to the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. Their breakthrough came when Ike Turner recruited them to accompany Tina Turner on "A Fool in Love" after Lassiter's absence from a recording session. The first official lineup of The Ikettes included Delores Johnson, Eloise Hester, and Josie Jo Armstead. In 1961, they released their debut single "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)", which reached umber 3 on the Billboard R&B chart and number 19 on the Hot 100. The group's lineup evolved over time, with notable members including Robbie Montgomery, Venetta Fields, and Jessie Smith. They achieved further success with hits like "Peaches 'N' Cream" (1965) and "I'm So Thankful" (1965). The Ikettes toured extensively with the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, performing at venues such as the Apollo Theater in New York and the Howard Theater in Washington, D.C. They also collaborated on notable tours, including opening for The Rolling Stones in 1966 and 1969. In 2017, Billboard ranked "I'm Blue (The Gong-Gong Song)" number 63 on its list of 100 Greatest Girl Group Songs of All Time. The Ikettes disbanded in 1974, but their impact on soul music and their contributions to the Ike & Tina Turner Revue remain significant.

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