The Ikettes

Um, a- a- and look at the fact that your career almost happened by accident.

You, you went along, didn't you, to help, uh, some friends audition for the, the Ikettes, and within, within 24 hours, your, your life had completely changed.

I, I just wonder whether, when you look back at that now, does it feel like you chose this life or that somehow it and the universe chose you?

The life is my destiny.

So I wasn't, like, I didn't feel like I was the favorite Ikette because I wasn't as cool as everybody else.

[laughs] You know what I mean? And, and I wasn't like, mm, I didn't know, I, I wasn't into the whole celebrity world and the whole show business way of being, you know, because that, that hadn't been my choice.

T- talking of celebrities, there's, there's a, a lovely reversal in your story with Mick Jagger because here's the man who would become one of the most famous performers in the world coming into the Ikettes' dressing room wanting you to teach him how to move.

I wonder what you remember about the Mick Jagger you knew before he became Mick Jagger.

Two Gaines and another one, so yeah, I think that's kind of what it would be.

Um, I think it was three of her sisters and then another backup singer, Carlena Williams, and I think she was, like, an Ikette at one point-

Oh.

Oh

[laughs] I love it.

I want that backup singer to write a book.

Can, c- can you imagine singing for the Ikettes and then for Donna Summer? That's gotta be a life story right there.

Yeah.

It was released on Mirwood Records in Los Angeles in April of 1966.

And The Marrets were formerly The Ikettes, which were the female vocal group associated with Ike Turner.

Next up, a group called The Performers.

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