Music Icon Tina Turner, renowned for her soulful classics and chart-topping hits like “The Best” and “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” has passed away at the age of 83.
Throughout her career, Turner faced numerous health challenges, including battles with cancer, a stroke, and kidney failure. She initially rose to prominence in the 1960s alongside her husband, Ike Turner, captivating audiences with iconic songs like “Proud Mary” and “River Deep, Mountain High.”
Following a turbulent and abusive marriage, Turner courageously embarked on a solo career in the 1980s, where she achieved even greater success. With her electrifying stage presence, raw energy, and powerful vocals, she earned the title of the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Turner’s exceptional talent garnered her eight Grammy Awards and led to her induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame twice. Her solo induction in 2021 highlighted her groundbreaking impact as a Black woman who shattered stereotypes, paving the way for future artists like Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Janelle Monae, and Rihanna.
Born into a sharecropping family in Tennessee, Turner began her musical journey as a backing singer for Ike Turner’s band, The Kings of Rhythm. However, she soon took center stage, and the duo achieved commercial success with hits like “Fool in Love” and “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine” in the early ’60s.
While their music resonated with audiences, behind the scenes, Ike subjected Tina to physical and emotional abuse. His controlling behavior extended to changing her name from Anna Mae Bullock to Tina Turner without her consent. In her candid 2018 memoir, “My Love Story,” Turner recounted the trauma she endured, describing her sexual experiences with Ike as akin to “a kind of rape.”
After escaping the abusive relationship, Turner fearlessly rebuilt her career, dominating the pop and rock scene throughout the ’80s and ’90s. Memorable hits such as “Let’s Stay Together,” “Steamy Windows,” “Private Dancer,” and the James Bond theme “GoldenEye” solidified her status as a global superstar.
Turner’s artistic prowess extended beyond music, as she showcased her acting skills in films like the 1985 hit “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” and The Who’s 1975 rock opera “Tommy,” where she portrayed the Acid Queen.
In her personal life, Turner found happiness with her second husband, German music executive Erwin Bach. They shared a deep bond, culminating in their marriage in 2013. Settling in Switzerland, Turner even obtained Swiss citizenship. In 2017, Bach selflessly donated his kidney to her when she faced kidney failure.
Amidst her triumphs, Turner also endured profound sorrow, losing her eldest son, Craig, to suicide in 2018, and her son Ronnie, whose father was Ike Turner, in 2022. She also had two adopted sons, Ike Jr. and Michael, from Ike’s previous relationship.
Turner’s extraordinary life inspired the critically acclaimed 1993 biopic “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” featuring Angela Bassett’s powerful portrayal of the star. Her story also became the basis for the successful stage musical “Tina: The Musical.” In 2021, an HBO documentary, “Tina,” further explored her remarkable journey.
In an interview with Marie Claire South Africa, Turner reflected, “People think my life has been tough, but I think it’s been a wonderful journey. The older you get, the more you realize it’s not what happened, it’s how you deal with it.”
Tina Turner’s legacy will not only be remembered as a musical icon, but a trailblazer, and symbol of strength.
