Legendary singer Tina Turner reportedly passed away on Wednesday at 83.
According to Reuters, a representative confirmed that the “Proud Mary” hitmaker died peacefully at home in Küsnacht, near Zurich, Switzerland.
The rep stated that Turner died due to a long illness.
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“Summer of ’69” rocker who collaborated with the songstress on “It’s Only Love” took to Twitter to write, “RIP @tinaturner The world just lost one of the greatest performers of all time. I’ll be forever grateful for the time we spent together on tour, in the studio and as friends. Thank you for being the inspiration to millions of people around the world for speaking your truth and giving us the gift of your incredible voice. My condolences to her husband Erwin and Tina’s family. It’s Only Love…and that’s all.”
RIP @tinaturner The world just lost one of the greatest performers of all time. I’ll be forever grateful for the time we spent together on tour, in the studio and as friends. Thank you for being the inspiration to millions of people around the world for speaking your truth and… pic.twitter.com/yQ8r7ucQs4
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) May 24, 2023
Diana Ross remembered the vocal powerhouse on Twitter, writing, “Shocked. Saddened. Sending condolences to Tina Turner’s family and loved ones.”
Shocked. Saddened. Sending condolences to Tina Turner’s family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/FGlQfjxaGh
— Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) May 24, 2023
Referred by some as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Turner fascinated the world through her hits like “Proud Mary,” “River Deep – Mountain High,” “Nut Bush City,” “What’s Love Got To Do With It” and “The Best.” But her success wasn’t detained to a single genre; the queen dominated rock, blues, pop, R&B and soul.
But prior to the world discovering the woman with the big voice and bold personality, Turner was known as Anna Mae Bullock of rural Tennessee with a dream to sing. She got her start when she began performing with her former abusive husband Ike Turner’s band, the Kings of Rhythm, in the late ’50s.
When Turner joined, the group became the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, which struggled to obtain success until 1960, when “A Fool in Love” conquered the pop charts. Two years later, the two were married.
After 16 years of marriage, the two would divorce, and Turner would get candid about the years of physical abuse she endured because of Ike.
“I wanted to stop people from thinking that Ike & Tina was so positive, that we were such a great team,” she said in the HBO documentary, Tina. “So I thought, if nothing else, at least people know.”
After embarking on a solo career, the “Private Dancer” singer achieved eight Grammys, three of them from her debut solo album, “Private Dancer” (1984), which sold over 20 million copies. She also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
She was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame (unfortunately with Ike) in 1991 but was inducted again as a solo artist in 2021. Turner also delved into acting, portraying an LSD-dealing prostitute in the Who’s rock opera, “Tommy.” Her character was called the “Acid Queen,” which inspired her 1975 record.
In 1985, Turner met the love of her life and husband Erwin Bach, a music exec, who took her to a concert from the airport. Turner shared with Oprah Winfrey that she felt an immediate connection with him. In 2013, the two tied the knot and were together until her death. She obtained citizenship in Switzerland in 2013.
Turner has genuinely been an icon for nearly five decades and an inspiration. She showed people anything is possible, especially after “What’s Love Got To Do With It” topped the Hot 100 charts when she was in her 40s.
We’ll miss you, Mrs. Turner.
