Tina Turner: Simply The Best
• The legendary Tina Turner has died at the age of 83. The sad news was confirmed by Turner’s spokesperson in a statement that reads, “Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock’n Roll’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht, near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model.”
Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939 in the farming community of Nutbush, TN (which she would later make famous her 1973 song “Nutbush City Limits”). Accurately described in Variety‘s coverage as “raw-voiced, leggy, peripatetic and provocative onstage,” the article notes that “Turner was still in her teens when she began recording with future husband Ike Turner; their tumultuous partnership produced 15 years of popular singles, culminating in the 1971 crossover smash [the Creedence Clearwater cover] ‘Proud Mary.’ However, in 1976 Turner fled her abusive marriage; she detailed her violence-scarred relationship in the 1986 bestseller I, Tina, which served as the basis for the 1993 biopic, What’s Love Got to Do With It, starring Angela Bassett.
After nearly a decade of commercial doldrums, Turner exploded to the pinnacle of pop fame in 1984 with her Capitol Records’ album Private Dancer, which sold five million copies, garnered four Grammy Awards and spawned a trio of Top 10 pop hits, including the title track, which reached #7, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” (#1), and “Better Be Good To Me” (#5).
Turner later segued effortlessly into film roles, appearing as the “Acid Queen” in Ken Russell‘s 1975 adaptation of The Who’s rock opera Tommy, and as villainess “Aunty Entity” in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. That film’s soundtrack featured Turner’s anthemic “We Don’t Need Another Hero,” which reached #2 in 1985. Turner also sang the title song for the 1995 James Bond film GoldenEye, which was written by U2’s Bono and The Edge. Turner continued to record and toured profitably until her retirement in 2000.
Over the course of her amazing career, Turner sold 180 million albums, earned 12 Grammy Awards, and was a two-time inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (in 1991 as half of Ike & Tina Turner) and in 2021 as a solo artist). She was also recognized at the 2005 Kennedy Center Honors for her career achievements.
• The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame issued this statement: “Two-time Inductee Tina Turner worked hard to reimagine the role of a Black woman in rock & roll — one that was firmly placed front and center. During her time in the duo Ike and Tina Turner (inducted in 1991), her electric onstage presence forever raised the bar for live performance. Their hits, ‘River Deep-Mountain High’ and ‘Proud Mary’ endure to this day. But this Queen of Rock & Roll went on to make music history again with her solo career (for which she was inducted again in 2021) and with her bravery in sharing her life story as a book, film, and Broadway musical. There was nothing her deep, robust voice couldn’t do, as displayed on her solo hits like ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ and ‘Private Dancer.'”
• BMG — the custodian of Tina Turner’s music interests expressed its deep sense of loss and sadness over her passing. CEO Hartwig Masuch said, “There will only ever be one Tina Turner. Her music and her life’s journey touched so many people. We send our condolences to her dear manager and husband Erwin and all those who loved her.” CEO-designate Thomas Coesfeld noted, “Today is a sad day for music and for the world. We have lost one of music’s supreme talents, an icon for millions and a great human being. Tina Turner made clear to us her wish that her music and legacy should live on. We — and her countless fans around the world — will ensure that wish is respected.”
There will be a private funeral ceremony attended by close friends and family. Please respect the privacy of her family at this difficult time.
• Benztown has created an Audio Tribute To Tina Turner which you are free to use.
