Tina Turner, the “Queen of Rock ‘n Roll” whose legend grew after she overcame a bitter divorce from musician Ike Turner, has died at the age of 83.
The superstar’s family confirmed her death in a statement on Wednesday, May 24, noting that Turner died “peacefully” at her home near Zurich, Switzerland. “Starting with her performances with her ex-husband Ike, Turner injected an uninhibited, volcanic stage presence into pop,” Rolling Stone’s Brittany Spanos declared in a tribute.
“Even with choreographed backup singers—both with Ike and during her own career—Turner never seemed to reign in,” Spanos, who co-authored the tribute with David Browne, asserted.
“Her influence on rock, R&B and soul singing and performance was also immeasurable.
“Her delivery influenced everyone from Mick Jagger to Mary J. Blige, and her high-energy stage presence (topped with an array of gravity-defying wigs) was passed down to Janet Jackson and Beyoncé.
“Turner’s message — one that resounded with generations of women—was that she could hold her own onstage against any man.”
Born Anna Mae Bullock in Tennessee in 1939, Turner started her career in 1958 as the lead singer for Ike Turner and his Kings of Rhythm band.
Later, the couple changed the name to the Ike & Tina Revue and spun out hit after hit with songs like “Nutbush City Limits,” “River Deep,” and the seminal “Proud Mary.”