The legendary entertainment icon Tina Turner, known as the Queen of Rock’n Roll, died today (May 24, 2023) after a long illness at her home in Switzerland. She was 83.
Her Disney Connections
The singer-songwriter contributed several songs to various Disney film soundtracks over the course of her career.
She performed “He Lives in You,” which appeared on both the international release of 1998’s “The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride” soundtrack, and the compilation album “The Lion King Collection.”
Her song “Great Spirits” appeared in the 2003 film “Brother Bear.”
And the Ike & Tina Turner cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Whole Lotta Love” was featured in the 2021 live-action film “Cruella.”
Her life story was also the subject of the 1993 Touchstone film, “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” where she was portrayed by actress Angela Bassett. Her single “I Don’t Wanna Fight” from the soundtrack was a top 10 hit in the U.S. and UK.
Her Life
Born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Brownsville, Tennessee, Turner began her career with Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm in 1957, under the name Little Ann.
In 1960, Turner wrote “A Fool in Love” for a singer who failed to show up to record it, causing Ike to have her record it instead. It reached No. 2 on the Hot R&B Sides chart and No. 27 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Ike named her Tina and added his last name before releasing the single, and Tina Turner was born. The two made it official when they married in 1962.
The duo formed the Ike & Tina Turner Revue and had several moderate hits through the mid-60s and early-70s, including their biggest charting hit, their 1971 cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary.”
In 1975, Tina also made waves on the big screen, playing the Acid Queen in Ken Russell’s visual adaptation of the Who’s rock opera “Tommy.”
After leaving husband Ike Turner following years of physical and emotional abuse in 1976, she continued to record and tour as a solo artist, as well as making guest appearances on TV shows ranging from “Hollywood Squares” to the “The Sonny and Cher Show.”
She toured with The Rolling Stones in 1981, and appeared with Rod Stewart on his “Saturday Night Live” appearance. She also had a minor dance club hit in 1982 with her cover of The Temptation’s “Ball of Confusion.”
Her fortunes changed in 1983 when she signed a new recording contract with Capitol Records and went on to stage one of the greatest comebacks in pop music history.
Her 1984 album, “Private Dancer,” started the hit parade with songs like “What’s Love Got To Do With it”, “Private Dancer,” and “The Best.”
The following year she returned to acting with the role of Aunty Entity in “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome,” to which she also contributed the chart-topping songs “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” and “One of the Living” to the soundtrack.
In 1986, she released her candid bestselling memoir “I, Tina,” co-written with MTV’s Kurt Loder, detailing her years with Ike, which went on to be the basis of that 1993 film, “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”
Turner later sang the title song for the 1995 James Bond film, “GoldenEye,” which was by Bono and the Edge of U2,
She officially retired from music after her 2000 tour, which was the most successful musical tour of the year.
The following year, the Broadway musical of her life called “Tina – The Tina Turner Musical” debuted.
Tina Turner is one of the most awarded musicians ever, including 12 Grammy awards, 3 American Music Awards, and 2 World Music Awards.
She has been inducted twice into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, once with Ike in 1991, and again as a solo artist in 2021, and has a star on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
She even has a Guinness Book of World Records award (largest paying rock concert attendance for a solo artist for her “Break Every Rule World Tour” concert in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, which she held from 1988-1997).
A private funeral ceremony is expected for family and close friends and family. She is survived by her husband and two children.
Do you have any favorite memories of Tina Turner, or favorite songs? Let us know in the comments.