Acclaimed singer Tina Turner, known globally as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” passed away at 83. Beginning her illustrious career beside her then-husband Ike Turner, she endured many years of abuse. Nevertheless, in the early 1980s, she revived her career, catapulting it to unparalleled levels and securing her status as one of the world’s leading music stars.
Today, the charismatic rock legend, celebrated for her unmatched vocal prowess, has died at 83. “Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, passed away peacefully today after battling a prolonged illness at her residence in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland,” her spokesperson announced. “With her departure, the world mourns the loss of a musical titan and a tremendous role model.”
The American-born superstar was a distinguished figure in rock music, recognized for her dynamic stage persona and a slew of hits, including The Best, Proud Mary, Private Dancer, and What’s Love Got to Do With It.
Prominent figures like Sir Mick Jagger, Sir Elton John, Diana Ross, Bette Midler, and Giorgio Armani were among the first to express their tribute. “She was a remarkably talented artist and singer,” commented Rolling Stones lead singer Jagger. “Her inspiring nature, warm personality, humour, and generosity will remain a lasting memory. She greatly supported me in my early years, and I will always cherish her.”
Sir Elton shared a picture of him with Turner, extolling her as “unmatched” and an “absolute legend on and off the stage”. Turner had previously battled intestinal cancer and suffered a stroke. In 2018, she revealed that her husband had donated a kidney to save her life when she was contemplating assisted suicide.
For three decades, Roger Davies, Turner’s manager, remembered her as “a unique and extraordinary powerhouse marked by her incredible energy and immense talent” and confessed that he would deeply miss her.
Turner gained prominence in the 1960s alongside Ike Turner, with the evergreen hits River Deep, Mountain High, and Nutbush City Limits contributing to their fame. Ike’s abuse towards her and her determined efforts to escape this were chronicled in a 1993 film starring Angela Bassett, which earned three Oscars. Turner’s remarkable life journey was also commemorated in a famous West End show still being performed.
By the end of the 1970s, Turner’s popularity had ebbed, and she appeared to be stepping out of the spotlight, primarily performing on the cabaret circuit. However, her career saw a stunning revival in 1983 when a cover of Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together became a massive hit. In her 40s then, Turner inked a new contract with Capitol Records, leading to the release of the Private Dancer album in 1984, which sold over 10 million copies, reaffirming her superstar status.
Renowned for its iconic intro, steady escalation, and powerful chorus, The Best, released as part of the Foreign Affairs album in 1989, is likely her most recognized song. It’s a cover of a song by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler. Proud Mary, another timeless classic, featured Turner performing lively dance routines to its “Rolling down the River” refrain well into her late 60s at live concerts.
Following her revival, Turner ventured into film with Mel Gibson in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome in 1985, which produced another hit, We Don’t Need Another Hero.
Born as Annie Anna Bullock in a segregated Tennessee hospital in November 1939, Turner adopted Swiss citizenship a decade ago. She resided on an expansive estate on Lake Zurich with her husband and former EMI record executive Erwin Bach, who is 16 years her junior. They met in 1985 and, as Turner once shared with Oprah Winfrey, it was love at first sight.
Turner was a mother to four children, two of whom she adopted from Ike’s previous marriage. Her eldest son, Craig Raymond Turner, tragically died in an apparent suicide five years prior. Turner described scattering his ashes off the California coast as her “most sorrowful moment as a mother.” She tweeted: “He was 59 when he tragically passed away, but he will forever be my baby.” The singer suffered another blow in 2022 when her second son Ronnie succumbed to cancer.
In an extraordinary career spanning several decades, Tina Turner’s immense talent, resilience, and signature style left an indelible mark on the music world. Her inspirational journey from trials to triumph remains a testament to her indomitable spirit. As the world mourns the loss of the ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,’ her music and legacy will continue to inspire and captivate future generations.
