Dear Ike,

I'm gonna miss you, man. You were one righteous cat. We only met twice, but the impression you left on me remains. Rock 'n' roll is so important to me and you were so important to rock 'n' roll. Along with the late 40's rhythm and blues artists like Tiny Bradshaw, Wynonie Harris, Roy Brown, Hank Ballard, Louis Jordan, Clyde McPhatter, Bull Moose Jackson, and Big Joe Turner, you ushered in rock 'n' roll with what is arguably its first single. The tremors you set off with 1951's "Rocket 88" by Jackie Brenston still shake the earth and my soul. And I know it was actually you and your band on that record. Hell, you even wrote the damn thing. But like most of your life, you remained in the shadows, with a plan and an expert understanding of what needed to be out front. Artists like Howlin' Wolf, Elmore James, Sonny Boy Williamson, Buddy Guy, and Robert Nighthawk were all backed by you and your Kings Of Rhythm. You discovered countless stars for Sun and Modern Records. But you know all this; I just wanted you to know that I know, and am grateful. These are the things folks need to remember.

When the limelight shined down on you, it tended to be negative. There's that whole Ike-and-Tina thing, and face it ike, you blew through a mountain of cocaine. You probably single-handedly put Pablo Escobar's kids through college. I remember you telling me at one point in the mid-'70s you spent $11 million on coke.

Ike, I think you were vilified to certain extent. I'm not condoning what went down, but Tina's moved on, you moved on, so why can't everybody else?

Rock 'n' roll and all those that live and die to it, by it, and with it owe you everything, brother. Perhaps now in death, people can see through the bullshit and drama, pop a 45 on the turntable, and thank you for the rock 'n' roll.

The last time we talked, being the smartass I am, I asked you, "What's love got to do with it?" Do you remember that, Ike? And do you remember what you said back? "Everything, baby. Everything." You're goddam right. Thank you, brother.

Love,

Frank