Tina Turner
Tina Turner (1939-2023)
Legendary vocalist Tina Turner has died at the age of 83. Known for her soul shaking vocals and electrifying stage presence, Turner was one of the most successful rock & roll artists of all time. Her Facebook page confirmed the news.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly. (© Peter Lindbergh)”
No cause of death was disclosed but Turner had a stroke in recent years and struggled with kidney disease. Her representative stated on May 24th, “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 Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model.”
Born Anna Mae Bullock in 1939, Turner was an American-born singer, dancer, actress and author, referred to as the “Queen of Rock n’ Roll.”
Turner began her professional music career in the late 1950s, when she started singing with Ike Turner and his band, the Kings of Rhythm. Soon named the Ike and Tina Turner Review, the band became one of the top touring acts. They released hits “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine”, “River Deep-Mountain High”, “Proud Mary” (Creedence Clearwater Revival) and “Nutbush City Limits” before breaking up in 1975. They won a Grammy Award for best R&B vocal performance by a group.
Tina Turner left her abusive marriage and embarked on her solo career with her album ‘Private Dancer’ in 1984. The LP featured the hit song “What’s Love Got To Do With It”, and earned a Grammy Award for Record of the Year. A string of hits continued for Turner with “Better be Good To Me”, “Private Dancer”, “We Don’t Need Another Hero” (Thunderdome), “Typical Male”, “The Best”, “I Don’t Wanna Fight” and “Golden Eye.”
Having sold over 100 million records worldwide, Tina Turner is one of the best-selling artists of all time. She won 12 Grammy Awards, three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards, and A Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Rolling Stone ranked her one of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.
In 1985, Turner starred in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome with Mel Gibson. She published her memoir, ‘I, Tina’ in 1986.
In 1991 Tina and Ike Turner were inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Tina was again inducted as a solo artist in 2021. She received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2005.
Tina married German music executive Erwin Bach in 2013 and moved to Küsnacht Switzerland and became a Swiss citizen. Her first child with Raymond Hill, Craig, died by suicide at age 59. Her second child with Ike Turner, Ronnie Turner, died in 2022.
Turner announced her retirement in 1999 at the age of 60. In 2008, she performed with Beyonce at the Grammy Awards and then embarked on an international tour. In 2018, Turner published her memoir ‘My Love Story.’ She and Erwin Bach were executive producers of ‘Tina: The Tina Turner Musical’ a stage show based on her life. It won 12 Tony Award nominations.
Tina Turner Facebook
Watch “Proud Mary”
Warrior, legend, inspiration to women. The queen indeed.
Thankful for the beautiful music she left us to remember her by.
This was one of those “celebrity” deaths that just left a hole in me. Nobody came close to what Tina did… she was the perfect blend of gutty, ballsy, high energy rock and roll with the perfect blend of soul.
I preferred her work with Ike much more than her solo material, but she was Tina and it was always good. Her voice and presentation was so unique. R.I.P. the Queen of Rock and Roll. You are still Simply The Best.