Tina Turner
Biography
Tina Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Brownsville, Tennessee, was a powerhouse vocalist and energetic performer who earned the title "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll". Her career spanned over five decades, overcoming a tumultuous start to become one of the best-selling recording artists of all time with an estimated 100 million records sold. She was the youngest daughter of Floyd and Zelma Bullock, who were sharecroppers. Turner's early life was marked by her parents' unstable relationship and eventual separation, leading to her being raised by her grandmother.
Ike & Tina Turner Revue
In the mid-1950s, after moving to St. Louis, Missouri, she immersed herself in the local R&B scene. It was there in 1956 that she met Ike Turner and his band, the Kings of Rhythm. After convincing him to let her sing with his band, she quickly became the star of the show, and Ike renamed her Tina Turner. They married in 1962. The duo, known as the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, became famous for their energetic live performances. They released a string of hits, including "A Fool in Love," "It's Gonna Work Out Fine," and their iconic cover of "Proud Mary," which won them a Grammy Award. However, their professional success was overshadowed by a turbulent and abusive marriage. Tina finally left Ike in 1976, and their divorce was finalized in 1978.
Early Solo Career
Even while with Ike, Tina began to release solo work. She released "Tina Turns the Country On!" in 1974 and "Acid Queen" in 1975. Following her divorce, her solo career initially struggled with the albums "Rough" (1978) and "Love Explosion" (1979). She also appeared as The Acid Queen in the 1975 film "Tommy".
Global Stardom
Tina Turner's career experienced a remarkable resurgence in the 1980s. The 1984 album "Private Dancer" was a massive international success, selling over 10 million copies worldwide. The album featured the single "What's Love Got to Do with It," which became her only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and won three Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year. This was followed by a string of successful albums including "Break Every Rule" (1986), "Foreign Affair" (1989), and "Wildest Dreams" (1996). She also starred in the 1985 film "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome".
Later Years and Legacy
In 1986, Turner published her best-selling autobiography, "I, Tina," which was later adapted into the 1993 film "What's Love Got to Do with It". She embarked on her final tour, the "Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour," in 2008 before retiring from performing. In 2013, she became a Swiss citizen, relinquishing her American citizenship. Tina Turner passed away on May 24, 2023, at her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland. Her numerous accolades include 12 Grammy Awards, a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and inductions into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame both with Ike Turner and as a solo artist. She is remembered for her powerful voice, energetic stage presence, and inspiring story of resilience.