Biography
Tina Turner, born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Nutbush, Tennessee, USA, was the youngest daughter of Floyd Richard Bullock and Zelma Priscilla Bullock[1][3]. Her early life was marked by rural hardship, but she found solace in music, singing in her church choir. In 1956, she moved to St. Louis, where she met Ike Turner and joined his band, the Kings of Rhythm, in 1957. By 1960, she had adopted the stage name Tina Turner and, with Ike, formed the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, quickly becoming one of the most electrifying live acts of the era[1][3]. Their hits included "A Fool in Love," "River Deep – Mountain High," and the Grammy-winning "Proud Mary"[1][3]. Despite professional success, Tina endured years of abuse from Ike, eventually leaving him in 1976 and filing for divorce, a courageous act that marked the end of their turbulent personal and professional partnership[1].
After a period of struggle, Tina Turner staged one of the most remarkable comebacks in music history. Her 1984 album Private Dancer, featuring the global hit "What's Love Got to Do with It," catapulted her to superstardom as a solo artist, earning her multiple Grammy Awards and establishing her as the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll"[1][2]. She continued to release successful albums, starred in films like Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, and embarked on record-breaking world tours. Turner's musical style blended rock, soul, R&B, and pop, characterized by her powerful, raspy voice and dynamic stage presence. She was celebrated for her resilience, reinvention, and influence on generations of performers. Turner officially retired from performing in 2009 but remained a cultural icon until her death on May 24, 2023, in Switzerland, where she had become a citizen in 2013[1][2]. Her legacy endures through her music, autobiographical works, and the hit musical Tina, which dramatizes her life story[1][2].
Fun Facts
- Tina Turner became a Swiss citizen in 2013 and lived in Switzerland until her death[1].
- She is the first artist to have a top 40 hit in the UK in seven consecutive decades, thanks to her 2020 collaboration with Kygo[2].
- Turner's life story was dramatized in the 1993 film What's Love Got to Do with It, with Angela Bassett portraying her[1].
- She donated all proceeds from her 2006 charity single "Teach Me Again" with Elisa to UNICEF and the World Food Programme[2].
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Ike Turner - Musical mentor and early collaborator; introduced her to professional music and helped shape her stage persona (Ike & Tina Turner Revue, Kings of Rhythm) [1957–1976]
Key Collaborators
- Ike Turner - Husband, bandleader, and musical partner; co-created the Ike & Tina Turner Revue ("A Fool in Love," "River Deep – Mountain High," "Proud Mary") [1960–1976]
- Lionel Richie - Toured together during her comeback; mutual support during career resurgence (Lionel Richie tour (opening act)) [1984]
- Beyoncé - Performed together at the 2008 Grammy Awards, symbolizing the passing of the torch between generations (Grammy Awards performance) [2008]
- Elisa - Recorded charity duet "Teach Me Again" for the film All the Invisible Children ("Teach Me Again") [2006]
- Kygo - Collaborated on a remix of "What's Love Got to Do with It" in 2020 ("What's Love Got to Do with It" (Kygo remix)) [2020]
Artists Influenced
- Beyoncé - Cited Tina Turner as a major influence on her performance style and career (Various performances and interviews) [2000s–present]
- Janet Jackson - Acknowledged Turner's impact on her dance and vocal delivery (Janet Jackson's live shows and albums) [1980s–present]
- Mary J. Blige - Credited Turner with inspiring her blend of soul, rock, and resilience (Mary J. Blige's albums and performances) [1990s–present]
Source: Wikipedia
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Private Dancer (30th Anniversary Issue) | 1984-05-29 | Album |
| Foreign Affair | 1989-09-13 | Album |
| What's Love Got to Do with It? | 1993 | Album |
| Brother Bear | 2003-01-01 | Album |
| Queen Of Rock 'n' Roll | 2023-11-24 | Album |
| Hits | 1996-10-21 | Album |
| Break Every Rule | 1986-09-05 | Album |
| Anthology | 2005-10-18 | Album |
| Tina Live | 2009-09-28 | Album |
Top Tracks
- The Best (Foreign Affair)
- What's Love Got to Do with It - 2015 Remaster (Private Dancer (30th Anniversary Issue))
- What's Love Got to Do with It (What's Love Got to Do with It?)
- What's Love Got to Do with It
- We Don't Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) (Private Dancer (30th Anniversary Issue))
- Proud Mary (What's Love Got to Do with It?)
- The Best
- I Don't Wanna Lose You (Foreign Affair)
- The Best - Edit
- It's Only Love (Reckless (30th Anniversary / Deluxe Edition))
External Links
Heard on WWOZ
Tina Turner has been played 17 times on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station. Showing the 10 most recent plays.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 3, 2026 | 20:00 | Bold Soul Sisterfrom Bold Soul Sister: The Best of th | Soul Powerw/ Soul Sister | |
| Dec 27, 2025 | 20:00 | Bold Soul Sisterfrom The Hunter | Soul Powerw/ Soul Sister | |
| Dec 13, 2025 | 20:00 | Bold Soul Sisterfrom Bold Soul Sister: The Best of th | Soul Powerw/ Soul Sister | |
| Dec 6, 2025 | 20:00 | Bold Soul Sisterfrom Bold Soul Sister: The Best of th | Soul Powerw/ Soul Sister | |
| Dec 2, 2025 | 18:29 | EDITH AND KINGPINfrom THE JONI LETTERS | Jazz from Jax Breweryw/ T.R. Johnson | |
| Nov 25, 2025 | 14:44 | I Smell Troublefrom The Great Rhythm & Blues Session | Soul Serenadew/ Marc Stone | |
| Nov 24, 2025 | 15:48 | IT SHO AIN'T MEfrom LA GRANDE STORIA DEL ROCK | Blues Eclecticw/ Andrew Grafe | |
| Nov 22, 2025 | 19:58 | Bold Soul Sisterfrom Bold Soul Sister: The Best of th | Block Partyw/ Brice Nice | |
| Nov 15, 2025 | 20:00 | Bold Soul Sisterfrom Bold Soul Sister: The Best of th | Soul Powerw/ Soul Sister | |
| Nov 1, 2025 | 20:00 | Bold Soul Sisterfrom Bold Soul Sister: The Best of th | Soul Powerw/ Soul Sister |