Rock Icon Tina Turner Dead At 83

The legendary Tina Turner has died at the age of 83 at her home near Zürich, Switzerland,

Rolling Stone perfectly encapsulated Turner’s life and career, stating, “Tina Turner, the raspy-voiced fireball who overcame domestic abuse and industry ambivalence to emerge as one of rock and soul’s brassiest, most rousing and most inspirational performers, has died.”

In a statement, Turner’s spokesperson said, “Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock n’ Roll’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model.”

As Variety notes, “Turner was still in her teens when she began recording with future husband Ike Turner; their tumultuous partnership produced 15 years of popular singles, culminating in the 1971 crossover smash [the Creedence cover] ‘Proud Mary.’

In 1976 the vocalist fled her abusive marriage; she detailed her violence-scarred relationship in the 1986 bestseller I, Tina, which served as the basis for the 1993 biopic, What’s Love Got to Do With It.

After nearly a decade in the commercial wilderness, Turner ascended to the pinnacle of pop fame in 1984 with her Capitol Records’ album Private Dancer, which spawned a trio of Top 10 pop hits, sold 5 million copies and garnered four Grammy Awards.

Though she never matched that breakthrough solo success, she recorded and toured profitably until her retirement in 2000.

During my tenure with Virgin Records I had the privilege of working with Tina around the release of her What’s Love Got To Do With It film soundtrack and found her quietly unassuming, gracious, professional and kind.

Rest in peace, Tina. You will be missed.

(Tina Turner: 1939 – 2023)

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(What’s Love Got To Do With It image: Courtesy Virgin Records)