Tina Turner, the trailblazing rock ‘n’ roll sensation turned 80s pop titan, has passed away at 83, following a protracted illness.
The news of Turner’s passing, due to an illness she had been battling for several years including intestinal cancer diagnosed in 2016 and a kidney transplant in 2017, came on Wednesday.
The iconic musician, known as the ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, left an indelible mark on the music scene, transforming rock ‘n’ roll and influencing legends such as Mick Jagger with her high-octane, charismatic performances.
After navigating a difficult personal and professional relationship with her husband, Ike Turner, she emerged in the 1980s as a solo superstar. Her influential album, ‘Private Dancer’, elevated her to the status of one of the most pivotal pop icons of that era.
Turner’s extraordinary life was documented in multiple memoirs, a biopic, a jukebox musical, and a highly praised documentary, ‘Tina’, in 2021.
Turner’s representatives expressed the profound loss felt around the world in a statement, remarking, “Today, at the age of 83, the ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, Tina Turner, passed away peacefully after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. The world mourns the loss of a music legend and a role model.”
The Guardian’s Daphne A Brooks captured the spirit of Turner in 2018, saying, “Turner’s musical character has always been a charged combination of mystery as well as light, melancholy mixed with a ferocious vitality that often flirted with danger.”
Born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee, Turner’s musical journey began in the local church choir and continued into her teen years when she joined Ike’s band in St Louis.
However, her journey was not without difficulty. After her relationship with Ike turned abusive, Turner courageously embarked on a solo career.
Her career spanned multiple decades, collaborations with big names in rock, and countless chart-topping hits. However, her personal and professional journey was not without obstacles.
Following a tumultuous split from Ike, Turner retained her stage name, which proved pivotal as she embarked on her solo career.
Her legacy as a groundbreaking artist who redefined rock ‘n’ roll and soared to pop stardom in the 80s remains etched in music history. Today, fans and fellow musicians alike mourn her loss and celebrate her indomitable spirit and iconic contributions to music.
