She changed music forever!
Tina Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939 near Nutbush Tennessee, CNN reports. Growing up in humble beginnings, she eventually found her passion in music. By the age of 17, she was living in St. Louis when musician Ike Turner asked her to join his band.
“Ike had to come to the house and ask Ma if it was OK for me to sing with him. He knew I had the potential to be a star. We were close, like brother and sister,” Turner previously recalled.
But what began as a budding friendship, eventually turned into something more. In 1960, they began performing as the Ike & Tina Turner Revue and their son Ronnie, who passed away in 2022, was born that same year. The two married in 1962, raising four children together including Ike’s two children and Tina’s son Craig, all from previous relationships. Unfortunately, the relationship soured, plagued by abuse and hardships.
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But Turner continued to thrive, earning a string of hits in the ‘60s and ‘70s before fleeing her abusive marriage from Turner and branching out on her own. She struggled to get her footing as a solo artist before making a triumphant comeback in 1984, releasing “Private Dancer,” which went to be multi-platinum and her first solo No. 1 hit, “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”
The album skyrocketed Turner into fame and she earned her place among the greats as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Her electrifying performances and heartwarming story of triumph in the face of so many challenges resonated with women anywhere. Her 1986 autobiography was eventually turned into a blockbuster hit starring actress Angela Bassett. Named after her first number one single, “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” has become a cult classic and one of the greatest biographical films ever made.
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Her musical career lasted more than five decades with Turner selling over 200 million records worldwide. Even after retiring from music in 2009, she has continued to be a beacon of light, sanctioning a hit Broadway show about her life and a documentary film released on HBO in 2021. Turner also released her second book, Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good, in 2018. The book serves as a guiding light for overcoming struggles, inspired by Turner’s own experiences as a Buddhist. In 2021, she was inducted into the Rock ‘N’ Roll Hall of Fame, making history as only the second woman to have ever been inducted twice. While she didn’t attend in person, Bassett presented her with the award and Turner sent in a video speech from her home in Switzerland.
“If they’re still giving me awards at 81, I must have done something right,” said Turner.
Now the legend has joined the ancestors, representatives for the icon taking to her official Facebook page to announce her passing, ABC news reports.
“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,” the statement reads.
There is no word yet on her cause of death but she will be greatly missed. Rest in peace Ms. Tina Turner. Well done.
Cover photo: Musical icon Tina Turner has joined the ancestors at 83/Photo Courtesy of Dave Hogan/Getty Images/HBO