On May 24, 2023, we lost a true icon of rock and roll, Tina Turner. Her passing was announced on her official social media accounts by her longtime friend and collaborator, Peter Lindbergh. Turner battled with numerous illnesses including a stroke in 2013, intestinal cancer in 2016, and a kidney transplant in 2017. Despite her health struggles, she continued to inspire fans with her remarkable talents.
Turner was known for her husky and seductive voice which she initially discovered after seeing her future husband Ike Turner perform with his band. Together they formed the Ike & Tina Turner Revue and rose to fame with hits such as “River Deep-Mountain High,” “Nutbush City Limits,” and “Proud Mary”.
After fleeing from an abusive relationship, Turner went on to achieve solo success with her album “Private Dancer” and the iconic hit, “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” Her record label initially considered her a nostalgia act, but she proved them wrong with her triumphant comeback at the age of 44.
Turner’s legacy extends beyond music, having appeared in the films “Tommy” and “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.” Her influence on the industry is undeniable, with her elastic and sexy dance moves on stage influencing artists like Mick Jagger.
Throughout her career, Turner won nine Grammy Awards, was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice (with Ike Turner in 1991, and solo in 2021), received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2005, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
Tina Turner’s layered life inspired numerous retrospectives including her memoir turned film, “I, Tina,” the jukebox musical “Tina: The Tina Turner Musical”, and the 2021 documentary “Tina.”
Her passing is a great loss to the music industry and fans worldwide. Tina Turner leaves behind an incredible legacy of musical greatness and personal strength.
