Today, the world lost a music icon, and a survivor in many ways. No woman in this planet fits the word survivor and icon better than the Queen of Rock and Roll herself, Tina Turner. Born Anna Mae Bullock, in her early career, after a slow start in the late 50s and into the 60s, by the early 70s, she became a household name, thanks to her cover of Proud Mary, which originally a song done by Creedence Clearwater Revival. Although her early success was sound, but it was not without controversy, personal-wise.
Ike Turner, who helped her in the beginning, especially with their music, was very abusive towards her, especially when being addicted to cocaine became a factor. After so many back and forth heat, Tina divorced Ike in 1978, a few years after splitting from him so she can focus on her solo career.
By the 1980s and beyond, Tina made a big time comeback, thanks to songs like Private Dancer, What's Love Got to Do with It and, of course, The Best. Simply the best, indeed.
So much so, she sold 100 to 150 million records worldwide, 12 Grammys, being in the cover of Rolling Stone magazine, having her name on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and twice inducted to the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame.
Her success wasn't just with music, she appeared in movies, including her first acting role as Aunty Entity in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome and her cameo as the Mayor of L.A. in Arnold Schwarzenegger action/comedy flick, Last Action Hero.
On top of that, speaking Hollywood, they did a biopic on the life and career of Tina Turner in What's Love Got to Do with It (named after one of her songs), where Angela Bassett plays Tina.
In the later years, Tina left America and lived a peaceful life in Switzerland, which she has been living since until her passing.
Tina died on May 24th, 2023, after a long bout with her illness. She was 83 years old.
Her death was heartbreaking, but it wasn't for her, there wouldn't be others like Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, and so much more. And the other song makers that joined her in her performances and collaborations like Mick Jagger and Bono and The Edge from U2 (who did the theme song of the James Bond flick, GoldenEye), they are forever grateful to this brave, wondrous diva who left her mark.
I will leave you with one of her songs, straight from the aforementioned biopic, What's Love Got to Do with It, simply called I Don't Want To Fight, which sums up Tina Turner in a nutshell. Godspeed, Tina. You truly were simply the best. Be at peace, brave diva.
Anna Mae Bullock (Tina Turner)
November 26th, 1939 - May 24th, 2023
This has been a Retro Rebellion Special Report
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