Introduction
Tina Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, is an iconic American singer, songwriter, actress, and dancer. She is best known for her powerful voice, electrifying stage presence, and career spanning over six decades.
Triumphs, challenges, and remarkable achievements mark Tina Turner's life and history. She became known as the Queen of Rock and Roll.
Birth & Childhood
Turner was born to Floyd Richard Bullock and Zelma Priscilla in Brownsville, Tennessee. Her older sisters were Evelyn Juanita and Ruby Alline. Her father was an overseer of sharecroppers at Poindexter Farm in Nutbush, TN and she can remember picking cotton at an early age.
Tina was separated from her sisters when their parents moved to work at a defense facility during World War II. She stayed with her paternal grandparents, Alex and Roxanna, who were strict and religious people.
They reunited after the war in Knoxville, TN, and two years later they all moved back to Nutbush, TN where Tina started 1st grade at Flagg Grove Elementary School. When she was young she sang in the church choir at Nutbush Spring Hill Baptist Church.
Turner stated in her autobiography I, Tina that she was neither loved nor wanted. When she was 11 years old her mom ran off to St. Louis, Missouri to get away from an abusive Floyd.
Two years later, Tina’s father remarried and moved to Detroit, Michigan. Tina, age 13, and her sisters were sent to live with Georgeanna Currie, their maternal grandmother, in Brownsville, TN.
Tina was working as a domestic worker for the Henderson family when her sister, Evelyn, was killed in a car crash. While attending Carver High School, she joined the cheerleading squad and the female basketball team.
Tina’s first love was Harry Taylor who she met at a high school basketball game. It took a little while but they eventually started dating. A year later they broke up when she discovered that Harry had gotten married to a woman expecting their child.
When Turner was 16 years old her grandmother died and she went with her sister to live with her mom in St. Louis, Missouri. She graduated from Sumner High School in 1958. After graduation, she worked as a nurse’s aide at a local hospital.
In 1957, at the age of 17, she met musician Ike Turner at a St. Louis nightclub. and joined his band, which later became known as the Ike & Tina Turner Revue.
Marriage To Ike Turner
Tina and Ike started as platonic friends but that changed when another musician threatened Tina which prompted her to go to Ike’s room for safety. They ended up having sex and this marked a lasting change in their relationship.
After they recorded “A Fool In Love” Tina said she wanted to end their relationship. Ike hit her in the head with a wooden shoe stretcher. Out of a great love for him, Tina stayed. Their son Ronnie was born in 1960. They moved to Los Angeles in 1962 and got married in Tijuana.
In 1968 she reached a low point. Ike was abusive and unfaithful which made her attempt suicide.
In 1976, at the age of 36, she fled their hotel after a heated argument and filed for divorce on July 27. The divorce was finalized in March 1978 and Tina was given custody of their sons. She got alimony, child support, and was able to keep her stage name.
Solo Career
Tina continued to release very successful albums, such as "Break Every Rule," "Foreign Affair," and "Wildest Dreams." Her dynamic performances in tours like the "Break Every Rule World Tour" and the "Wildest Dreams Tour," made her one the greatest live performers of all time.
In addition to her music career, Tina Turner ventured into acting and appeared in several films, including "Tommy," "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome," and "What's Love Got to Do with It," a biographical film about her life, for which Angela Bassett portrayed her and earned an Academy Award nomination.
In 2000, Tina Turner embarked on her farewell tour, "Twenty-Four Seven Tour," which spanned several years and became one of the highest-grossing tours in history. Despite announcing her retirement, she made occasional appearances and collaborations in the following years.
Impact & Accolades
Tina Turner's impact on the music industry is immeasurable. She has sold over 200 million records worldwide, making her one of the best-selling music artists of all time. Her influence extends beyond her incredible vocal range and stage presence. She is widely regarded as a trailblazer, breaking barriers for female artists.
In recognition of her achievements, Tina Turner has received numerous accolades, which are listed below. Her autobiography, "I, Tina," co-written with Kurt Loder, provided further insight into her life, including her struggles, triumphs, and personal growth.
1967: Turner was the first black artist and first female on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine (Issue No. 2).
1970s-2010s: First artist to have a top 40 hit in seven consecutive decades in the UK.
1970s-2010s: 35 UK top 40 hits.
1970s-2010s: Sold over 100 million records worldwide.
1970s-2010s: Certified RIAA album sales of 10 million.
1970s-2010s: 12 Grammy Awards, including eight competitive Grammy Awards.
1970s-2010s: Only female artist to have won a Grammy in the pop, rock, and R&B fields.
1970s-2010s: Shares the record (with Pat Benatar) for most awards given for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.
1986: Hollywood Walk of Fame star.
1988: Guinness Record for the largest paying audience (180,000) for a solo performer.
1991: St. Louis Walk of Fame star.
1991: Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a duo with Ike Turner.
1993: Legend Award at the World Music Awards.
1993: Living Legend Award at the Essence Awards.
1996: Légion d'Honneur from the French education minister.
1999: Ranked No.2 on VH1's list of 100 Greatest Women of Rock and Roll.
1999: Three recordings in the Grammy Hall of Fame: "River Deep – Mountain High," "Proud Mary," and "What's Love Got to Do with It."
2002: Tennessee State Route 19 named "Tina Turner Highway."
2003: Proud Mary: The Best of Ike & Tina Turner ranked No. 212 on Rolling Stone's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
2004: People's top 10 Grammy moments for her 1985 performance of "What's Love Got to Do With It."
2005: Kennedy Center Honors.
2008: Ranked No. 17 on Rolling Stone's list of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.
2013: Covered Vogue Germany, becoming the oldest person to cover Vogue magazine.
2014: Inducted into the Soul Music Hall of Fame.
2015: Ike & Tina Turner ranked No. 2 on Rolling Stone's list of the 20 Greatest Duos of All Time.
2015: Inducted into the St. Louis Classic Rock Hall of Fame with Ike & Tina Turner.
2016: Image of Turner used as the cover for The Last Shadow Puppets album.
2018: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
2019: Inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame.
2020: Private Dancer added to the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress.
2021: Two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee.
2021: Received an honorary doctorate from the University of Bern.
2022: Barbie doll released in Turner's likeness by Mattel to commemorate her single "What's Love Got To Do With It."
Tina Turner's life and history represent resilience, strength, and a relentless pursuit of her passion for music. Her extraordinary talent and indomitable spirit have left an indelible mark on the music industry and continue to inspire generations of artists and fans worldwide.
Life After Retirement
Tina Turner became a Swiss citizen in 2013 after having lived in Switzerland for many years. In a suburb of Zurich, she felt she could finally enjoy a peaceful and quiet life away from the spotlight.
Tina married her husband, Erwin Bach, in 2013. In 2017 she had undergone kidney transplant surgery with an organ donated by her husband. Despite health scares, she has remained resilient and involved in philanthropic endeavors that included fighting Malaria in Africa and supporting children’s rights.
Death
Tina Turner died Wednesday, May 24, 2023. Her death was from natural causes and comes after the deaths of her sons Ronnie (2022) and Craig (2018). She suffered from several medical conditions including intestinal cancer, high blood pressure, stroke, and a kidney transplant.
Tina has said before that she wasn’t afraid of death but rather curious and excited to see what lies beyond. She will be remembered for her strength and indomitable spirit.
Resources Used:
Tina Turner's Cause Of Death Revealed (msn.com)
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