Legendary Rock Star Tina Turner Dies at 83
Saying Goodbye to a Rock and Roll Legend: Tina Turner Passes Away at 83
New Delhi : Renowned soul and rock icon, Tina Turner, has passed away at the age of 83. According to her publicist, she died on Wednesday at her residence in Switzerland, following an extended period of illness. In her memoir titled Tina Turner: My Love Story, published in 2018, she candidly shared the various health challenges she confronted since 2013, including a stroke, intestinal cancer, and kidney failure. It was her second husband, Erwin Bach, who generously donated a kidney in 2017, ultimately saving her life.Legendary Rock Star Tina Turner Dies at 83
Over the course of a six-decade-long recording career, Tina Turner achieved stardom both as a solo artist and as part of a duo with her first husband, Ike Turner. Their musical partnership led them to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, while dominating the American pop and R&B charts during the 1960s and ’70s. Tina’s impressive vocal range and style were shaped by a diverse array of influences.
Legendary Rock Star Tina Turner Dies at 83
Growing up, she drew inspiration from various genres, including country music, as well as admired artists such as ’50s R&B singers LaVern Baker and Faye Adams, gospel icon Mahalia Jackson, rock pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, blues legend B.B. King, and soul greats Ray Charles and Sam Cooke.
This rich musical background allowed her to mold her voice with incredible flexibility and versatility. She could deliver scorching rock growls, delve into the depths of her lower register for smoky blues, or effortlessly glide through velvety R&B numbers. One of Ike & Tina’s most celebrated tracks, “River Deep, Mountain High,” produced by Phil Spector, stands as a triumphant orchestral-gospel masterpiece.
Tina Turner, a remarkable vocalist known for her extraordinary vocal range and captivating stage presence, has passed away at the age of 83.
She peacefully departed on Wednesday at her residence in Switzerland, following a prolonged period of illness, as confirmed by her spokesperson. In her memoir, “Tina Turner: My Love Story,” published in 2018, Turner courageously shared the multitude of health challenges she faced since 2013, which included a stroke, intestinal cancer, and kidney failure. Her second husband, Erwin Bach, selflessly donated a kidney to her in 2017, ultimately saving her life.
Throughout a six-decade-long career in music, Turner achieved fame both as a solo artist and alongside her former husband, Ike Turner. Their musical partnership resulted in their induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and a prominent presence on the American pop and R&B charts during the 1960s and ’70s.
Tina’s exceptional vocal ability was influenced by a diverse range of artists. While she grew up listening to country music, her inspirations extended to ’50s R&B singers LaVern Baker and Faye Adams, gospel legend Mahalia Jackson, rock pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe, blues icon B.B. King, and soul greats Ray Charles and Sam Cooke.
This amalgamation of influences shaped her versatile voice, allowing her to deliver scorching rock growls, soulful blues, and velvety R&B numbers with ease. One of Ike & Tina’s most iconic songs, “River Deep, Mountain High,” produced by Phil Spector, exemplified their remarkable fusion of orchestral and gospel elements.
Turner’s artistic prowess extended beyond her own discography. She possessed a unique ability to interpret and infuse iconic songs with her own emotional depth. For instance, she added an element of yearning and desperation to The Beatles’ “Come Together” and incorporated a country twang into The Rolling Stones’ “Honky Tonk Women.Legendary Rock Star Tina Turner Dies at 83
” Her signature tune, a passionate rendition of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary,” became a platform for showcasing her sultry soulful vocals and powerful rock style. This rendition earned Turner her first Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. In total, she received eight Grammy Awards, including three consecutive wins for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance during the 1980s. Legendary Rock Star Tina Turner Dies at 83
In addition to her vocal prowess, Turner commanded the stage with an electrifying presence that left audiences spellbound. Described as “electrifying” and “simmering with energy,” her performances were a captivating display of natural athleticism combined with powerful dancing. In fact, she was often compared to Mick Jagger, with some even suggesting that Jagger took inspiration from her stage presence during their joint tour in 1969.
Their dynamic collaboration on a cover of the Jacksons’ “State of Shock” at Live Aid in 1985 proved to be a fiery and explosive combination.
Mick Jagger expressed his deep sorrow over the loss of his beloved friend Tina Turner, acknowledging her immense talent, inspiring nature, warmth, sense of humor, and generosity. He credited her with providing significant support during his early career, an impact he will always remember.
Born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, Turner grew up in the rural town of Nutbush, Tennessee, before later residing in Knoxville. Despite having a distant relationship with her father, who left when she was 13, and a complicated connection with her mother, Turner found solace in performing.
In her memoir, she recounted fond memories of singing radio hits at a young age, entertaining salesgirls during music-filled shopping trips, and leading pretend stage shows with her cousins and siblings. She further refined her stage presence by singing at picnics alongside a renowned trombonist named Mr. Bootsy Whitelaw. Legendary Rock Star Tina Turner Dies at 83
At the age of 16, Turner relocated to St. Louis to live with her sister and mother. It was there that she first encountered Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm at the famous Club Manhattan in East St. Louis. In 1957, after an impromptu performance of B.B. King’s “You Know I Love You” left the bandleader impressed, Turner joined the group. The band was later renamed the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, with Tina’s elevated role at the forefront.
Reports indicate that Ike Turner was excessively cruel to Tina, both personally and professionally. In her memoir, she described their doomed relationship, revealing that Ike viewed her as his ticket to financial success and protection of his own interests.Legendary Rock Star Tina Turner Dies at 83
Turner endured mental control and physical abuse, including having her name changed to “Tina Turner” and subsequently trademarked without her consent. She departed from Ike in 1976, leaving with virtually nothing while they were on tour in Dallas. From there, she embarked on a journey of self-reliance to provide for her family and pursue her own career.
Turner had already released two solo albums while still performing with Ike, including 1974’s “Tina Turns the Country On!” and 1975’s rock-oriented covers album “Acid Queen.
” Following her split from Ike, she ventured into mainstream entertainment, appearing on game shows like Hollywood Squares and Cher’s variety TV series, as well as performing live concerts with a cabaret-style approach. Although she released two albums during this period that did not achieve significant chart success, she collaborated with Heaven 17 members Martyn Ware and Ian Craig Marsh on their album “Music of Quality & Distinction, Volume One,” recording a sleek electro-pop version of the Temptations’ “Ball of Confusion” under the name B.E.F. Legendary Rock Star Tina Turner Dies at 83
The year 1984 marked a turning point in Turner’s career. She collaborated with David Bowie on the reggae-influenced title track of his album “Tonight” and achieved widespread success with her solo album “Private Dancer.” The album embraced the slick production values of the era while highlighting Turner’s powerful voice and diverse musical influences.
It included notable tracks such as the Mark Knopfler-penned title track, covers of songs by David Bowie, The Beatles, and Ann Peebles, and her solo No. 1 hit, “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” The success of the album and the single, which won multiple Grammy Awards, established Turner as a resilient and influential artist.
Tina Turner’s 1980s and 1990s Musical Journey and Film Success
Turner’s commercial success continued throughout the 1980s with hits like “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome),” “One of the Living” from the film “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” and collaborations with Bryan Adams (“It’s Only Love”) and “Typical Male.” Her powerful performances and iconic image made her a prominent figure on MTV, where she performed at the first-ever MTV Video Music Awards in 1984 and won Best Female Video in 1985 for “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” 
Into the 1990s, Turner remained a force in the music industry. The 1993 biographical film “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” based on her autobiography “I, Tina,” brought her story to the big screen. Laurence Fishburne portrayed Ike Turner, while Angela Bassett portrayed Tina Turner, earning a Golden Globe for her performance. The film’s soundtrack featured the hit song “I Don’t Wanna Fight,” which further propelled Turner’s career. In 1995, she recorded the elegant James Bond theme song “GoldenEye.” Legendary Rock Star Tina Turner Dies at 83
Turner gradually reduced her workload in the late 1990s and 2000s, eventually retiring after a 50th-anniversary tour in 2009. However, she remained actively involved in preserving her musical legacy. She worked closely on the development of the Broadway musical “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical,” which premiered in 2019. Additionally, she delivered a showstopping performance of “Proud Mary” alongside Beyoncé at the 2008 Grammy Awards, showcasing her enduring talent and cementing her status as a music legend.
