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 Hardin—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.