Tina Turner took the world of music by storm in the 1960s as part of the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. Throughout her career, Turner has become known for her crowd-pleasing performances and powerful vocals. Here are five things to know about the legendary Tina Turner!
- The Origin Story Of Anna Mae. Tina Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Nutbush, Tennessee. She was raised by her grandmother after her parents initially split up, but after her grandmother died she relocated to St. Louis, Missouri, to be with her mother. Although she was just a teenager, Turner began exploring the St. Louis R&B scene and met fellow musician Ike Turner in 1956. She began performing with Ike Turner and was soon a main attraction.
- Rise To Fame. In 1960, Turner elevated her status when she sang the lead part on a track titled “A Fool in Love.” It was marketed under the name “Ike and Tina Turner” and became a crossover hit on the R&B and pop charts. She reached international acclaim in 1966 after recording the album River Deep, Mountain High which became a top five hit abroad. Just three years later, the duo were an opening act for the Rolling Stones and secured even more fans. In 1971, they released the album Workin’ Together which included the track “Proud Mary.” She created another top five hit, but this track also awarded Turner her first Grammy. While rising to the top, Turner was also dealing with abuse and personal issues due to her marriage to Ike Turner. After she divorced Ike Turner in 1978, her solo career was headed for success five years later with the release of Private Dancer. Her solo album, featuring the song “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” brought her back into the spotlight and it went on to sell more than 20 million copies worldwide.
- More Than A Singer. Although Tina Turner rose to popularity because of her vocals and dance moves, she also made a splash on theater stages and in film. Turner first introduced her acting skills to the world with her debut appearance in the 1975 musical Tommy. She starred as the “Acid Queen” alongside Roger Daltrey. After finding success as a solo performer, Turner made her return to acting with the film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985) and the film starred famed actor, Mel Gibson. Turner was also the subject of the classic movie, What’s Love Got to Do with It (1993), starring Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne. She did not act in the film but it was inspired by the singer’s life.
- Finding Peace In Buddhism. The turbulence of an abusive marriage coupled with managing motherhood and being a performer, left Turner seeking some form of peace. She was introduced to Nichiren Shoshu Buddhism by one of friends during the 1970s. Buddhism allowed her to find peace in the rituals of chanting. The practice stuck with her and she continues to follow its teachings. She even recorded the spiritual albums Beyond: Buddhist and Christian Prayers (2010), Children Beyond (2011) and Love Within (2014)
- Career Accolades And Achievements. Turner has won more than five Grammy awards, one of which was a Lifetime Achievement award. In addition to her Grammys, Turner is also the recipient of an NAACP Image Award and a MTV Video Music Award. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 1986. Turner received another career accolade in 2021 with her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Queen of Rock and Roll enjoyed a career that spanned more than six decades, and she has garnered millions of fans worldwide. She sadly passed away on May 24, 2023, at the age of 83. Her death followed a long illness that included intestinal cancer and kidney disease.
