In 1954, Ike Turner relocated his band, the Kings of Rhythm, from Clarksdale, Mississippi to East St. Louis, Illinois.

[2] Turner and his band gut renovated the building and created the Club Manhattan where they would practice and perform.

[5] Other musicians who performed at the Club Manhattan include Little Milton, Oliver Sain, and Albert King.

[8] Merritt was also arrested on gambling charges after authorities raided the nightclub while a dice game was in progress.

[10][11] East St. Louis poet laureate Eugene Redmond recalled that in the 1950s Tina Turner was a "teeny-bopper and a groupie.

In 1968, Albert King was performing at the Club Manhattan when promoter Bill Graham offered him $1,600 to play three nights at The Fillmore Auditorium in San Francisco.