Anna Mae Bullock, better known to the world as iconic soul, rock and pop singer (and occasional actress) Tina Turner, has died at the age of 83. The “What’s Love Got To Do With It” reportedly succumbed to a long battle with multiple illnesses, including an intestinal cancer diagnosis in 2016 and a kidney transplant the following year. Turner passed away in her residence near Zurich, Switzerland. “With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model,” said spokesman Bernard Doherty in a statement.
Both Turner’s life and career were for the history books:
- Turner was born November 29, 1939 in Nutbush, TN
- She joined Ike Turner’s Kings Of Rhythm in 1957, where she took on her stage name and released her first single- “A Fool In Love,” a duet with Ike
- Found fame in the 60s with Ike in The Ike & Tina Turner Revue
- Left Ike in 1976, and thereby breaking up their Revue, after years of domestic abuse that she would later reveal in her books and in interviews
- Turner became one of music’s greatest comeback stories when, after multiple attempts to breakthrough in her solo career, her 1984 album “Private Dancer” proved to be a huge hit
- The album’s single, “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” spent three weeks at #1 on the charts and earned Turner multiple awards, including GRAMMYs for Record and Song Of The Year
- The reinvention of Tina Turner was trademarked by her unrivaled 80s style, donning short skirts that showcased her top-notch physique and sporting wild trademark big hair
- Turner’s life story, and tumultuous years with Ike Turner, were turned into a successful film, “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” in 1993. The film earned Oscar nominations for Angela Bassett (Tina) and Laurence Fishburne (Ike)
- The legend also had an impressive acting career, with credits that included The Who’s rock opera “Tommy,” “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” with Mel Gibson and “Last Action Hero” with Arnold Schwarzenegger
- Turner continued making hits until her 2009 retirement following the uber-successful “Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour”
- Tina Turner was twice inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame- alongside Ike in 1991 and for her solo career in 2021- and received the Kennedy Center Honor in 2005
- “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” is a Broadway musical that celebrates the life and career of the legend
- Give Turner's breakout solo hit that made her a mega-star, "What's Love Got To Do With It," another listen over on the right.
Source: Deadline