Tina Turner, one of the most charismatic and great rock vocalists in history, has died at age 83.
Her spokesperson released a statement that read: “Tina Turner died peacefully at age 83, after a long illness, in her home near Zurich in Switzerland.
“With her, we lose a music icon and a role-model.”
The US-born singer was known for her electric stage presence, and hit songs including The Best and Private Dancer.
Mick Jagger was among the first to pay homage, followed by Bette Midler and Bryan Adams. The White House, Gloria Gaynor, and the White House were also present.
Rolling Stones’ frontman Jagger said, “She was an incredibly talented singer and performer.”
She was warm, funny, and generous. She was so kind to me when I first met her and I’ll never forget it.”
Midler described her as “an absolutely brilliant performer, and an inspiration to all of us”.
Turner and his ex-husband Ike Turner gained fame in the 1960s, performing the classic River Deep Mountain High.
Angela Bassett starred in the 1993 Hollywood film, “The Domestic Abuse Ike Subjected Her To”, which won three Oscars.
Turner’s story has also been immortalised by a West End hit show, which is still in production.
Turner’s fame waned during the 1970s, and she was relegated to the cabaret scene as an heritage act.
In 1983, a cover version of Al Green’s Let’s Stay Together was a big hit.
Turner, who was then in her 40s, signed a contract with Capitol Records that led to the release of Private Dancer in 1984.
The album went on to be sold in excess of 10 million copies, establishing her as a superstar.
Seven singles were released from the album, including the title track, What’s love got to do with it, and I Can’t Stand the Rain.
The Best is her most popular song, with its distinct intro, steady build-up and powerful chorus.
It was released in 1989 as part of the Foreign Affair Album. This song is actually a cover by Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler.
Turner performed uptempo dance moves in her 70s to the “rolling down river” refrain.
She became a Swiss Citizen a decade after she was born in a segregated Tennessee Hospital in November 1939.
Erwin Bach, a former EMI executive and 16 years younger than her, lived with her on a large estate near Lake Zurich.
Turner told Oprah that it was love at the first sight in 1985 when he picked her up from a German airport.
He had the most beautiful face. She said, “You couldn’t miss it.”
It was the same as saying “Where did he originate from?” He really was that handsome. My heart went bu-bum. It means that souls have met. “My hands were shaking.”
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