IKE TURNER, 76

A big deal in St. Louis before he became a big deal as a brutal Svengali to wife Tina. Knew enough not to get in Phil Spector's way during the making of River Deep - Mountain High" in 1966.

The Associated Press reports:

There was no immediate word on the cause of death, which was first reported by celebrity Web site TMZ.com.

Turner managed to rehabilitate his image somewhat in his later years, touring around the globe with his band the Kings of Rhythm and drawing critical acclaim for his work. He won a Grammy in 2007 in the traditional blues album category for "Risin' With the Blues."

His middle name was Wister.