Legendary singer Tina Turner dies aged 83
Tina Turner, one of the greatest rock’n ’roll singers of all time, has died in Switzerland at the age of 83.
“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,” her publicist said in a statement.
“With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model.”
The singer rose to prominence performing with her husband Ike Turner in the 1960s before overcoming his violent, abusive behaviour to go on to become a chart-topping solo artist.
Turner earned a legion of fans for her riveting live performances, and was best known for songs such as “Private Dancer”, “The Best”, “What’s Love Got to Do With It” and “Proud Mary”.
Born Anna Mae Bullock on 26 November, 1939, in Nutbush, Tennessee, Turner would go on to sell more than 180 million albums and won 12 Grammy Awards.
Turner was diagnosed with intestinal cancer in 2016 and received a kidney transplant in 2017.
Stars of the entertainment world including Mick Jagger, Bryan Adams, Rosario Dawson, Paloma Faith and Naomi Campbell paid tribute to the iconic singer.
Gasps and tears as stars of Tina Turner West End musical break news of her death
According to audience accounts in the Mail, the auditorium at London’s Aldwych Theatre was filled with “gasps” when the stars came out and broke the news to the crowd during a performance on Wednesday night.
Lead actor Zurin Villanueva was reportedly seen crying as she helped deliver the news to fans, before the show resumed for its second half.
The statement from the cast was “poignant” and “sombre”, theatregoers said, with the show reflecting the idea that Turner herself “would have wanted the show to go on”.
News of the “What’s Love Got to Do with It” singer’s death was first announced by her representative in a statement.
“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,” the statement read.
“My beloved queen, I love you endlessly,” Beyonce wrote in a message on her official website. “I’m so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way.
“You are strength and resilience. You are the epitome of power and passion. We are all so fortunate to have witnessed your kindness and beautiful spirit that will forever remain.
“Thank you for all you have done.”
Roisin O’Connor25 May 2023 07:45
Tina Turner nearly didn’t sing GoldenEye theme after Bono sent her ‘the worst’ demo
In 1995, Tina Turner recorded one of her best known songs as she performed the titular theme for GoldenEye, Pierce Brosnan’s first outing as 007 agent Bond.
However, Turner very nearly wasn’t the voice of “GoldenEye”, after originally dismissing a “really rough” demo sent to her by the track’s songwriters, U2’s Bono and The Edge.
The Independent’s Isobel Lewis has the full story below.
Bevan Hurley25 May 2023 13:00
Video of Beyoncé and Tina Turner performing at the Grammys goes viral
Peony Hirwani25 May 2023 12:30
In Pictures: Tina Turner, Queen of rock ‘n’ roll whose career spanned 60 years
The Independent’s Joe Middleton takes a look some of the most striking pictures of Tina Turner’s stunning life.
Bevan Hurley25 May 2023 12:00
Jessica Alba pays tribute to Tina Turner
“Thank you for everything you gave the world, you will be so missed,” Jessica Alba wrote in a tribute to Tina Turner.
Peony Hirwani25 May 2023 11:30
Inside Tina Turner’s magnificent estate in Switzerland, where she lived with husband Irwin Bach
The “Proud Mary” singer and one of the greatest rock’n ’roll singers of all time died “peacefully” at her home in Kusnacht near Zurich on Wednesday (24 May), after a long illness caused by intestinal cancer, her publicist said in a statement.
Turner lived with her German music executive husband and longtime partner Irwin Bach in Chateau Algonquin, a magnificent estate overlooking Lake Zürich that the couple were reportedly renting in Switzerland.
My colleague Ellie Muir reports:
Roisin O’Connor25 May 2023 11:10
‘We say goodbye to a dear friend’
A tribute on Tina Turner’s official social media accounts has hailed the singer’s “boundless passion for life”.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner,” the post said.
“With her music and boundless passion for life, she enchanted fans worldwide and inspired future stars. We say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us her greatest work; her music. Tina, we will miss you dearly.”
Bevan Hurley25 May 2023 11:00
Tina Turner‘s “What’s Love Got to Do With It” has reached no. 1 on US iTunes.
Peony Hirwani25 May 2023 10:30
‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ singer dies aged 83
Tina Turner, the queen of rock’n’roll behind hits such as “What’s Love Got to Do with It”, has died aged 83 at her home in Switzerland.
The Independent’s Isobel Lewis look back at her remarkable 60-year music career.
Bevan Hurley25 May 2023 10:00
Tina Turner at Köln Lanxess Arena – 2009 review
A nice find from one of my colleagues is this 2009 feature on the top moments for our then-culture critics.
The late, great Andy Gill attended Tina Turner’s show at the Köln Lanxess Arena, and wrote:
A lesson in how superstars should tackle valedictory spectaculars, Tina Turner’s show contained all the eye-catching effects, from cantilevering stages and flame-throwers to troupes of well-drilled hoofers, but the headliner’s extraordinary energy and the effortless soul power of her voice were the most impressive aspects of the performance.
Roisin O’Connor25 May 2023 09:45
