SIMPLY THE BEST: World mourns sad loss of Tina Turner aged 83

Tina Turner 1939 – 2023

THE world learned today about the tragic loss of the legendary Tina Turner who has died after a long illness.

It was announced Wednesday, May 24, that Tina Turner arguably the world’s greatest female vocalist has passed away at 83.

Born Anna Mae Bullock, in Brownsville, Tennessee on November 26, 1939, she became famous mainly for her music.

However, she also starred in some iconic films such as Tommy, Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, What’s Love Got To Do With It and Last Action Hero.

The sad news was broken by her publicist who explained that the star had suffered a long illness.

But it is her music that will stay with her multitude of fans; Iconic songs such as the Holly Knight composition, The Best, Nutbush City Limits, Proud Mary, What’s Love Got To Do With It, We Don’t Need Another Hero, Private Dancer and Let’s Stay Together and the James Bond theme Golden Eye.

Her path to fame began in 1957 with Ike Turner’s, Kings of Rhythm, making her first appearance on record in 1958 with ‘Boxtop.’ Together with Ike, they built a formidable reputation as one of the greatest live acts around, with hits like River Deep – Mountain High.

Ike and Tina were married in 1962 but after suffering years of physical abuse, she divorced in 1978.

Some years later, Tina made what has been hailed as ‘one of the greatest comebacks in musical history’ with the 1984 album Private Dancer.

She sold over 100 million records worldwide making her one of the best-selling singers of all time. Her achievements are too numerous to mention but included 12 Grammys and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She was also the first Black artist and the first woman to be featured on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine.

She last toured in 2008, Tina! 50^th Anniversary Tour, in what was one of the bestselling tours of all time. She announced her retirement from touring the following year.

From 1994, Tina began living in Switzerland, on the shores of Lake Zurich, becoming a Swiss national in 2013.

Her health problems began later that same year when she suffered a stroke, and in 2017 underwent a kidney transplant.

On the news of her passing, online tributes poured in from all around the world: ‘As a mentor and idol, her legacy has and will continue to inspire countless people…May she rest in eternal peace…We love you, Tina,’ posted one.

Women’s Aid paid their own tribute: ‘A survivor of domestic abuse who went on to inspire other women – she will always be #SimplyTheBest.’

While another simply said: ‘BEYOND BEAUTIFUL!!’

In an official Facebook post, Peter Lindbergh announced: ‘It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly.’

Her death signals the end of sixty years in the limelight and marks the end of an era.