40 on their list of the 200 Best Albums of the 1960s. So much so, they caught the attention of infamous producer Phil Spector. The single was among the first recordings that Ike & Tina Turner did for Phil Spector's Philles Records. “River Deep, Mountain High” cost $22,000 (in 1966 dollars) to make. For the finale, Burruss sang "River Deep, Mountain High," by Tina Turner, a performance that clinched her win. For the finale, Burruss sang “River Deep, Mountain High,” by Tina Turner, a performance that clinched her win. The end result was huge, volcanic, echo overlayering echo and turning a tune into an achievement, quite possibly Spector’s greatest creation. "River Deep - Mountain High" flopped in America, but was a big hit in the UK, where it went to #3. They want me sounding all raspy…I have to do what Ike says. It was originally released by London Records in the UK in 1966, and later A&M Records in the US in 1969. In 2017, Pitchfork ranked it at No. “River Deep - Mountain High” By this time in the show, the Ike and Tina Turner Revue were known worldwide. It was also a flop in America, charting for only one week. It was later covered by many artists including Deep Purple and Celine Dion. This earned Ike & Tina Turner, who had been performing together with the Ike & Tina Turner Revue since 1960, a spot as opening act for The Rolling Stones on their 1966 UK tour. She sang as an Ikette with Ike & Tina Turner and eventually replaced Janis Joplin as the front woman of Big Brother and Holding Company. Kathryn Marie "Kathi" McDonald (September 25, 1948 – October 3, 2012) was an American blues and rock singer and songwriter. ... is that nobody is judging you from … For the finale, Burruss sang “River Deep, Mountain High,” by Tina Turner, a performance that clinched her win. As a teenager she sang with different bands around the Pacific Northwest before she was discovered by Ike Turner. River Deep – Mountain High is a studio album by R&B duo Ike & Tina Turner. River deep, mountain high If I lost you would I cry Oh how I love you baby, baby, baby, baby When you were a young boy did you have a puppy That always followed you around Well I'm gonna be as faithful as that puppy No I'll never let you down Cause it goes on and on like a river … Background and recording. Written by Spector, Jeff Barry, and Ellie Greenwich, "River Deep - Mountain High" "River Deep, Mountain High" was originally recorded by Ike and Tina Turner. I love that River Deep Mountain High album, but nobody likes me like that. Ike & Tina Turner were an American musical duo active during the 1960s and 1970s, consisting of the husband-and-wife team Ike Turner and Tina Turner.