Tina Turner Dead At 83
Tina Turner, the queen of rock and roll and one of the greatest singers of all time, was 83. The news was confirmed on her official Facebook:
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly.
The first concert I ever went to was, unbelievably, a Tina Turner concert. It was 1987, and she was playing the Orange County fair of all places. I was only 10 years old and probably wasn’t able to appreciate it as much as I would’ve if I were older. Still, I grew up with her music, as did all of us, before 1987 and long after, so I’m grateful I got to see her that one time. The word “iconic” feels like it was created because of Tina Turner.
That list clip of “Steel Claw” from the Carson show in 1982…just incomparable.
Angela Bassett, who should’ve won the 1994 Oscar for portraying Turner in What’s Love Got To Do With It, gave a statement to Deadline:
“How do we say farewell to a woman who owned her pain and trauma and used it as a means to help change the world?,” Bassett said in a statement provided to Deadline. “Through her courage in telling her story, her commitment to stay the course in her life, no matter the sacrifice, and her determination to carve out a space in rock and roll for herself and for others who look like her, Tina Turner showed others who lived in fear what a beautiful future filled with love, compassion, and freedom should look like.”
Bassett continued, “Her final words to me — for me — were ‘You never mimicked me. Instead, you reached deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed her to the world.’ I shall hold these words close to my heart for the rest of my days. I am honored to have known Tina Turner. I am humbled to have helped show her to the world. So on today, while we mourn the loss of this iconic voice and presence, she gave us more than we could have ever asked. She gave us her whole self. And Tina Turner is a gift that will always be “simply the best.” Angels, sing thee to thy rest…Queen.”
Turner died today after a long illness at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland.
One of Tina Turner’s last interviews, from 2019:
