Iconic singer Tina Turner died last month at the age of 83 in her Zurich home.
Born Anna Mae Bullock, Turner began her career in 1957 as Little Ann with Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm and later debuted as Tina Turner in 1960. She rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue soon after.
During this time, the band made a string of hits, including “A Fool in Love,” “River Deep — Mountain High,” “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine,” “Nutbush Limits” and many more.
CapRadio’s Chris Campell gathered five standout songs by the artist in remembrance of her life and illustrious career.
Proud Mary by Ike & Tina Turner (Workin’ Together)
The Ike & Tina Turner Revue proved to be one of the most exciting and explosive performance groups of the time, and they would tour extensively, opening for the Rolling Stones and enjoying immense crossover success. But with the highs enjoyed by their commercial success came the lows of the business.
Ike was heavily addicted to cocaine, which fueled his abusive behavior towards her. He began attacking her in the mid-1950s, with his attacks growing more vicious throughout the years. The abuse reached its climax when in July 1976, after a performance at the Statler Hilton in Dallas, Ike and Tina got into a physical altercation, which prompted Tina to flee with only 36 cents and a Mobil gas card. She would never go back to Ike again.
By the early 1980s, Tina was considered a nostalgia act, performing at hotel ballrooms and small clubs. However, in 1983, she signed with Capitol Records, and they greenlit a full studio album that she would record in two weeks. The single, “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” was written by songwriters Terry Britten and Graham Lyle and was initially offered for R&B songstress Phyllis Hyman, who wanted to do the song. Still, Arista Records CEO Clive Davis would not allow her.
The song was then offered to dance music queen Donna Summer, who never got around to recording it. Some months before Turner recorded the song, the British pop group Bucks Fizz was offered the song, but recorded a tepid version of it. In Tina’s hands, the song was lightning in a bottle.
What’s Love Got To Do With It by Tina Turner (Private Dancer)
"Private Dancer" could be described as one of the greatest comebacks in music history when it was released. It also won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year. The song also became Tina's first and only No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. At age 44, she was the oldest woman solo artist to top the Hot 100.
Tina was in high demand like never before and would act in films like Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985). She also ended up recording some of the movie's soundtrack, including the hit "We Don't Need Another Hero."
In 1986, she released her next album, Break Every Rule, which reached No. 1 in four countries and sold over five million copies worldwide within months of its release.
Typical Male by Tina Turner (Break Every Rule)
Tina's tour in support of the "Break Every Rule" album would prove to be the third highest-grossing tour by a woman artist in North America that year and set a then-Guinness World Record for the largest paying audience for a solo performer. Later that year, Tina would also receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 1995, Tina returned to the studio, releasing "GoldenEye," written by Bono and the Edge of U2 for the James Bond film GoldenEye. Her next album, "Wildest Dreams," would follow.
In Your Wildest Dreams by Tina Turner (Wildest Dreams)
With more than 150 million records sold worldwide, 12 Grammy wins, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, Kennedy Center Honors and more, Tina Turner is one of the best-selling and most decorated music artists of all time.
It’s difficult to understate Tina’s enduring legacy. Musically, she has influenced numerous artists ranging from Beyoncé, Janelle Monáe and Jennifer Hudson all the way to Joan Osborne, Joan Jett and Lady Gaga. But beyond music, she made an even more indelible mark.
She has inspired generations of women as a powerful advocate against domestic abuse, providing a roadmap for women on how to empower themselves and show resilience in the face of trauma.
Her incredible life and career are like a roller coaster ride, with indescribable highs and breathtaking lows, with a vibrant and ebullient spirit that transcended music while becoming an iconic artist that impacted generations.
Better Be Good to Me by Tina Turner (Private Dancer)
The last song of this segment is taken from Turner’s signature album “Private Dancer,” as we hear a tune that captures the essence of Tina, her manifesto to the world. Here’s “Better Be Good To Me.” Check it out.
