He helped create rock and roll's classic guitar-driven sound and won a Grammy in 2007 for his traditional blues album, "Risin' With The Blues', but to many he was known primarily as the man accused of callously abusing former wife Tina Turner.   Ike Turner died at the age of 76 at his suburban home on Wednesday.

"He did pass away this morning," said Scott M. Hanover of Thrill Entertainment Group, which managed Turner's career.

A cause of death has not yet been determined. 

Turner was portrayed as an abusive drug addict in the movie, "What's Love Got To Do With It."  He tried to tone down his image in his later years, touring around the world with his band the Kings of Rhythm.

He also expressed frustration that his negative image overshadowed his musical accomplishments for so many years.

"You can go ask Snoop Dogg or Eminem, you can ask the Rolling Stones or (Eric) Clapton, or you can ask anybody -- anybody, they all know my contribution to music, but it hasn't been in print about what I've done or what I've contributed until now," he said.

Many rock historians claim Turner made the first rock 'n' roll record, "Rocket 88," in 1951.

The album was produced by the legendary Sam Phillips and was groundbreaking for its use of distorted electric guitar.

"His last chapter in life shouldn't be drug abuse and the problems he had with Tina," said Rob Johnson, who produced Turner's 2001 record "Here and Now."