Note: The Ikettes were born in 1960, when two of Art Lassiter's background group, The Artettes (Sandra Harding and Frances Hodges), who had sung harmony vocals on Ike & Tina's debut release "A Fool In Love" on Sue Records, refused to tour with the duo. The remaining Artette, Robbie Montgomery along with Venetta Fields and Jessie Smith then formed the first actual Ikettes line-up. During their debut solo release on Atco Records the Ikettes were Dolores Johnson (a.k.a. Flora Williams), Eloise Hester and "Joshie" Jo Armstead. The line-up that recorded for Modern Records consisted of Venetta Fields, Robbie Montgomery, and Jessie Smith. In 1966-70 they were also known as the Mirettes.

In 1966, Ike Turner produced another Ikettes release for Phi-Dan Records with the secondary line-up including P.P. Arnold, Pat Powdrill and Shelley Clarke, who continued to accompany Ike & Tina both on stage and vinyl (for Pompeii and United Artists labels).

After The Mirettes period, Venetta Fields did various session works until joining The Blackberries with Billie Barnum and Clydie King in 1972. Also Dolores Johnson, Robbie Montgomery, Eloise Hester and Jessie Smith recorded solo material during the 1960's, usually with Ike Turner's band.

After leaving The Ikettes in 1962, Jo Armstead started recording for Infinity and Tay-Ster Records. In 1965 she began songwriting collaboration with Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson in New York, but also recording with producer Ed Townsend under the pseudonym Deena Johnson for Wild Deuce and Simpson Records. Soon after, she relocated to Chicago, where she formed the Giant Productions company with her husband Mel Collins. The couple also ran their own record labels Globe, Giant, and Gamma. In 1972 Armstead appeared on Broadway musical soundtracks "Dude" (Kilmarnock 72003) and "Don't Play Us Cheap" (Stax 2-3006). In 1973-74 she recorded for the Stax subsidiary Gospel Truth in New York, and since 1989 for her own Prairie Rose Records.

IKE TURNER ALBUMS

IKE TURNER COLLECTIONS