We here at Goldsmith Vintage were all deeply saddened to hear about the recent death of rock icon, Tina Turner. Famed for her incredible voice and dynamic onstage persona, she stole our hearts with her undeniable strength and fighting spirit. Tina died at her home in Küsnacht, Switzerland, near Zurich. She had recently suffered a stroke and was known to have been battling kidney disease amongst other illnesses. Today we take a brief look back at her dazzling career and remember the legend that was Tina Turner. Don’t forget to check out our staff picks at the end to get that quintessential Tina look!
Hailed in the 1960s for her trail-blazing live-act with her first husband, Ike, she became a recording artist sensation, sometimes echoing her personal struggles into her songs.
Tina Turner the earth shattering singer whose fiery energy and rasping vocals singled her out as an unforgettable live performer and one of the most successful recording artists of all time, was born Anna Mae Bullock in 1939, Memphis.
Turner began her half-century career in the late ‘50s singing with Ike Turner and his band, the Kings of Rhythm whilst still a school-girl, Initially she was just a part-time performer but quickly became the group’s star act and the wife of Mr. Turner into the deal. With her raw, bluesy voice and explosive dancing style, she made an instant impact and provided the dynamic that would propel the group forwards.
They renamed themselves The Ike and Tina Turner Revue and became a headline touring soul act in Black venues on the infamous Chitlin’ Circuit. After the Rolling Stones asked the group to open for them, initially on a British tour in ‘66 and then on an U.S tour in ‘69, white listeners in both countries began to take notice.
Tina pushed for the inclusion of rock songs by the Beatles and the Stones into the band’s repertoire and subsequently reached an enormous new audience. But behind the scenes, the union of Ike and Tina Turner marriage was not a happy one, but instead tinged with abuse and domestic violence. Tina suffered in silence for many years but, after much suffering, eventually managed to overcome her imprisonment and escape.
Having fled her toxic marriage in her 30s, her career unfortunately faltered. Ike had, unbeknown to her, trademarked her stage-name ‘Tina Turner’ and she had to battle it out with her ex in court to reclaim it. But reclaim it she did and she came back fighting!
In 1984 her solo album “Private Dancer,”propelled her back into the spotlight. Tina went on to release hit after hit and obtain world acclaim, even winning four Grammy’s in ‘85. She had a memorable role in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and performed to thousands at the legendary Live Aid in Philadelphia with Mick Jagger. In ‘88 she appeared before around 180,000 people at Rio De Janeiro’s Maracanã Stadium smashing a world-record for the largest paying audience for a solo artist. After her “Twenty Four Seven” tour in 2000 sold more than $100 million in tickets, Guinness World Records revealed that she had sold more concert tickets than any other solo performer in recorded history.
She will live on in our hearts forever!