History Repeating? Ike & Tina Turner's Son Caught With Cocaine
Feb. 16 2016, Published 10:01 a.m. ET
Eight years after Ike Turner's death of a cocaine overdose, RadarOnline.com has exclusively learned Ronnie Turner, his only son with wife Tina, was headed down the same tragic path.
According to court documents obtained by Radar, Ronnie has a history of drug-related arrests and a hard-scrabble life that tragically mirrors that of his controversial rock-and-roll pioneer dad.
Ronnie, now 55, was busted in Los Angeles on Aug. 18, 1999, and charged with possession of cocaine, which he was allegedly selling.
After his arrest near Gladys Street State Park, Ronnie's bail was set at $45,000 due to his already lengthy rap sheet.
Two years earlier, in 1997, he'd been convicted of possession of a controlled substance, as well as sale of a controlled substance in 1987, and possession for sale of cocaine in 1988.
Ronnie had to register as a narcotic offender, and a judge ordered him to spend 16 months in state prison. Probation was denied because of his previous felonies.
Despite his stiff sentence, Ronnie was given credit for 126 days in custody, 84 days of actual custody, and 42 days for good behavior.
Ronnie's famous mom's dramatic story about her turbulent marriage to Ike and his infidelity, beatings, boozing and drug addiction hit the big screen in the powerful 1993 biopic, What's Love Got to Do with It.
After the film's success, "Private Dancer" singer Tina — now married to German-born record exec Erwin Bach —suffered even more heartbreak over her son.
In 2000, according to published reports, Ronnie kicked out his common-law wife and their two children because they were pushing him to give up drugs.
The desperate family took refuge in their car — and friends allowed them to park it in their cold garage.
An insider said at the time: "At night they all curled up in the back seat of the car and slept — while Ronnie was happily living in the family apartment paid for by Tina!"
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