Proud Mary – Tina Turner 1939-2023, A Tribute

Nutbush City Limits

November 6, 1939 - her name was Anna Mae Bullock. Born into a cycle of abuse, she lived a tumultuous childhood as she was shuffled among various family members, a cycle that would ultimately follow her into adulthood, early career and marriage.

Her musical career began one fateful night at a club where The Kings of Rhythm, headed by Ike Turner were performing. As the story goes, Ike was playing a song on the organ, and Anna Mae managed to grab a microphone and began to sing along. Turner asked if she knew any more songs and she continued the rest of the evening. Ike was so blown away by her performance that she became a featured vocalist of the band.

That is the extent of the finer details I will cover on her personal life; much of it was something she desperately tried to free herself from as she was constantly pressed to relive it, so rather than revisit, let us simply pay tribute to a truly remarkable woman and remember her for her courage, perseverance and love, and the joy she shared with us... as the Queen of Rock & Roll, the immortal Tina Turner!

Tina Turner /New Beginnings

Although Tina Turner was not her given name, she chose to own it - literally, and had to fight to do so! Originally, the name was chosen as a stage name by Ike Turner, it was even trademarked as "protection" and for the sake of "continuity", as he was desperate to maintain control in light of their growing popularity. It was clear from the very beginning that her powerhouse vocals and absolutely electrifying stage presence were the real draw to what would become known as the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, and catapult them to musical success well into 70s. Fast-forward to 1978, after years of abuse and infidelity, Tina had had enough, divorced Ike, and got relatively little in the settlement... but, she did FIGHT for the right to use her stage name "Tina Turner". And oooooohhhh what she would go on to do with it was nothing short of spectacular!!

Let's Rock & Roll!!

After several years paying debts for cancelled Ike & Tina gigs, low-profile LPs and booking small venues and tours, Tina EXPLODED!! In 1984, Private Dancer went 5x platinum in the US and sold 10 million copies worldwide... and marked the beginning of one of the most legendary "comebacks" in music history; Tina had been "reborn" to a new generation, and this time, on her terms. Hers became a household name, one that endures to this day.

With 32 studio albums, including 9 as a solo artist, numerous live recordings, collaborations and compilations, even a couple of soundtrack albums, her career spanned over 50 years and garnered 8 Grammy awards, 3 inductions into the Grammy Hall of Fame and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Her Grammy wins are dwarfed in numbers compared to her long list of prestigious awards. In 1986, she found her place on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

With chart-topping hits, awards, acting, autobiographical works and finally a much-deserved induction as a solo artist into the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame in 2021, Tina Turner was and will be an inspiration for generations to come and will forever be a shining star for many, present company included. Having lost many heroines and heroes over the years, rarely has it brought tears to my eyes; this is one such time... We love you Tina, may we meet in Valhalla.