On 24th May 2023, the sad news came through that Tina Turner had passed away at the age of 83 following a long illness. In this article we’ll look back at her remarkable life and incredible career.
Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
In this tribute article to Tina Turner you’ll find:
The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll
The legendary ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’ began her career in the music industry back in 1957 with Ike Turner. She went on to have incredible success with her solo albums in the 1980’s.
Her 1984 release Private Dancer was certified 5× Platinum in the United States, and sold 10 million copies worldwide, becoming her most successful album.
Subsequently, her popularity would continue to grow. In January 1988, Tina set a Guinness World Record for the ‘largest paying concert attendance for a solo artist’. This was achieved by performing in front of approximately 188,000 people at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Best
Her most iconic track is arguably the cover of Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler’s 1988 track The Best. Tina made some changes – the addition of a bridge, which she felt was missing, and a key change.
Released as the lead single from her seventh solo studio album Foreign Affair in 1989, the song was an international success, becoming a top-five hit in numerous countries.
Undeniably a timeless classic, when you hear that chorus you have to belt it out unashamedly.
Collaborations and legendary soundtrack themes
Tina had some massive hits on collaborations with other artists after forging her solo career too. Notable tracks include It’s Only Love with Bryan Adams from 1984, and It Takes Two with Rod Stewart from 1990.
These are just a few examples of her versatility, bringing her unique vocals to more rock orientated pop tracks. Additionally, she recorded and performed with revered artists such as David Bowie, Eric Clapton and Robert Cray, among others.
Tina recorded two songs for the soundtrack to the 1985 movie ‘Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome’. This included the main single We Don’t Need Another Hero, which reached #2 in the US and #3 in the UK. She even acted in this movie alongside Mel Gibson!
There was also the legendary theme song for the 1995 James Bond film ‘GoldenEye’, one of the iconic Bond tracks. With sweeping string arrangements and her characteristically powerful, soaring vocals, it was a perfect fit for the movie.
The legacy of Tina Turner
Having sold over 100 million records worldwide, Tina Turner is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. She received twelve Grammy Awards, three Grammy Hall of Fame awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
Significantly, Tina was the first black artist and first woman to be on the cover of Rolling Stone. This undoubtedly inspired generations to come.
She had a remarkable career, and her enduring legacy will live on in the music world and beyond. We celebrate Tina Turner’s incredible musical journey and life with this setlist dedicated to her.
