‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ Tina Turner Passes Away at 83

Photo edit of Tina Turner. Credit: Alexander J. Williams III/Pop Acta.
Photo edit of Tina Turner. Credit: Alexander J. Williams III/Pop Acta.

Tina Turner, the renowned music sensation, passed away on Wednesday at the age of 83. Born Anna Mae Bullock, she emerged from a challenging farming community and an abusive relationship to become one of the most celebrated recording artists in history. Her representative confirmed that she died peacefully in her residence in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, after a prolonged illness.

Tina Turner’s journey began in Nutbush, Tennessee, where she grew up. After her parents separated, she lived with her strict paternal grandparents and later her mother in St. Louis. She attended school, worked as a domestic worker, and eventually became a nurse’s aide.

Her musical career took off when she joined Ike Turner’s band after witnessing his talent at a club in St. Louis. Their collaboration resulted in hits like “A Fool in Love” and “River Deep – Mountain High.” They achieved success, toured with notable artists, and made appearances on popular TV shows. However, their relationship deteriorated due to Ike’s drug addiction, leading Tina to leave him in 1976 and eventually divorce him in 1978. This marked the beginning of Tina’s solo career.

In 1976, Tina Turner embarked on her solo career by appearing on various TV shows and performing live to pay off debts. Although her albums released in 1978 failed to make an impact, her fortunes changed in 1983 when she signed with Capitol Records and released a successful cover of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together.” Her album “Private Dancer” in 1984 became a massive success, earning her Grammy Awards and international acclaim. Turner continued to release hit albums, starred in films like “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” and embarked on successful tours throughout the 1980s and 1990s. She retired from performing in 2009 but made a comeback with a tour in 2008. Turner’s legacy was further recognized with honors, documentaries, and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Tina Turner became known for her distinctive 1980s style and electrifying performances. She won six of her eight Grammy Awards during that decade. Hits such as “What’s Love Got to Do with It,” “Typical Male,” and “The Best” dominated the charts. In 1988, her concert in Rio de Janeiro drew a Guinness World Record for the largest paying audience, with 180,000 attendees. In the UK, she achieved the remarkable feat of having top 40 hits in seven consecutive decades, totaling 35 hits. With over 100 million records sold worldwide, Turner received 12 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. She has stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the St. Louis Walk of Fame. Turner’s impact is recognized by Rolling Stone, VH1, and other esteemed organizations, and she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.

In her later years, Tina Turner faced numerous health challenges. In her memoir, she revealed that she experienced life-threatening illnesses. In 2013, she suffered a stroke shortly after her wedding and underwent rehabilitation to regain her mobility. In 2016, she was diagnosed with intestinal cancer, and her high blood pressure led to kidney damage and failure. Initially, her chances of receiving a kidney were low, but her husband Erwin Bach offered to donate one, and she underwent a successful kidney transplant in 2017. On May 24, 2023, Tina Turner passed away at the age of 83 at her home in Switzerland, after battling cancer, strokes, and kidney failure in her final years.

According to Reuters:

“Tina’s story is not one of victimhood but one of incredible triumph,” singer Janet Jackson wrote about Turner, in a Rolling Stone issue that placed Turner at No. 63 on a list of the top 100 artists of all time.

In 1985, Turner gave a fictional turn to her reputation as a survivor. She played the ruthless leader of an outpost in a nuclear wasteland, acting opposite Mel Gibson in the third installment in the Mad Max franchise, “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.”

In 1985 Turner met German music executive Erwin Bach, who became her long-term partner, and in 1988 she moved to London, beginning a decades-long residency in Europe. She released two studio albums in the 1990s that sold well, especially in Europe, recorded the theme song for 1995 Bond movie “GoldenEye,” and staged a successful world tour in 2008 and 2009.

She battled a number of health problems after retiring and in 2018 she faced a family tragedy, when her oldest son, Craig, took his life at age 59 in Los Angeles. Her younger son Ronnie died in December 2022.

Tina Turner’s life was an extraordinary journey of resilience and triumph. From humble beginnings in a challenging farming community, she overcame adversity and an abusive relationship to become one of the most celebrated recording artists in history. With her powerful voice and electrifying performances, Turner made an indelible mark on the music industry. Her hits dominated the charts, and her influence spanned decades, earning her numerous accolades, including Grammy Awards and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Despite facing health challenges in her later years, Turner remained resilient and continued to inspire fans around the world. Her passing at the age of 83 leaves behind a remarkable legacy that will forever be cherished. Tina Turner will be remembered as an icon, a survivor, and a true musical legend.

She is survived by her two sons, and her impact on the world of music will continue to resonate for generations to come.


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