The legendary singer Tina Turner Passes Away on Wednesday at 83 after a long illness.

Iconic singer Tina Turner, renowned for her soulful classics and popular hits such as “The Best” and “What’s Love Got to Do With It,” has passed away at the age of 83.

In recent years, Tina Turner faced various health challenges, including cancer, a stroke, and kidney failure.

During the 1960s, she soared to fame alongside her husband Ike, captivating audiences with unforgettable tunes like “Proud Mary” and “River Deep, Mountain High.”

However, following a tumultuous relationship with Ike characterized by abuse, Turner courageously divorced him in 1978, embarking on a solo career that brought her even greater success throughout the 1980s.

Recognized as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Tina Turner captivated audiences with her electrifying stage presence, exuberant performances, and distinctive, powerful vocals.

Her passing was announced through an official post on her Instagram page, which expressed gratitude for her music and unwavering passion for life, which enchanted millions of fans worldwide and continues to inspire future stars.

From her early days performing alongside her former spouse Ike, Tina Turner brought an unrestrained and explosive presence to the pop scene. Even when backed by choreographed singers, whether as part of Ike and Tina or during her solo career, Turner never appeared constrained. Her impact on rock, R&B, and soul singing and performance was immeasurable. Her style influenced artists ranging from Mick Jagger to Mary J. Blige, and her high-energy stage persona, complemented by a stunning array of gravity-defying wigs, became a lasting influence on Janet Jackson and Beyoncé. Turner’s powerful message resonated with generations of women, demonstrating her ability to hold her own against any male counterpart on stage.

Yet, Turner’s legacy extended beyond her musical contributions and delved into a more personal realm, entwined with a complex man. Throughout her time with Ike, a demanding and often drug-addicted bandleader and guitarist, Turner endured physical abuse and humiliation. However, her subsequent rebirth, beginning with her immensely popular and Grammy-winning 1984 album “Private Dancer,” transformed her into a symbol of resilience and renewal.

Tina Turner’s Life and Career

Born as Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, Turner grew up in Nutbush, Tennessee, a rural and unincorporated area in Haywood County that she immortalized in her song “Nutbush City Limits.” Turner described her family as “well-to-do farmers” who prospered from sharecropping. Nonetheless, Turner and her older sister Ruby Aillene grappled with feelings of abandonment when their parents left to seek work elsewhere.

“In a 1986 Rolling Stone interview, Turner recalled, “My mother and father didn’t love each other, so they were always fighting.” When Turner was 10, her mother departed for St. Louis, followed by her father three years later. Turner then moved in with her grandmother in Brownsville, Tennessee.

Following high school, Turner pursued a career as a nurse’s aide. However, she frequently visited nightclubs in St. Louis and East St. Louis with her sister. It was there that she first witnessed Ike Turner’s performance as the bandleader of the Kings of Rhythm. At 18 years old, Turner became captivated by the guitarist, who was eight years her senior, and the group’s music. One night, while attending as an audience member, the drummer handed Turner the microphone. Ike subsequently invited her to be the guest vocalist for the group and offered guidance on voice control and stage presence. Under the name “Little Ann,” she recorded her first studio track, “Box Top,” alongside Carlson Oliver, one of Ike Turner’s songs.

In 1958, the same year “Box Top” was released, Turner gave birth to her first child, Raymond Craig, whose father was Raymond Hill, the saxophonist for the Kings of Rhythm. Shortly afterward, Tina moved in with Ike to help raise his two sons after he ended his relationship with their mother. A sexual relationship developed between Tina and Ike, although she revealed in a 1984 interview with Rolling Stone that she wasn’t initially attracted to him. She stated, “I liked him as a brother. I didn’t want a relationship. But it just sort of grew on me.” At Ike’s request and inspired by the movie serial “Sheena, Queen of the Jungle,” Turner changed her stage name.

Following Tina Turner’s recorded debut as part of the Ike and Tina Turner duo, their single “A Fool in Love” made waves in July 1960 by breaking into the Top 30 on the US charts. This success marked the beginning of a string of respectable chart performances. However, it was their electrifying live performances that truly captivated audiences. Ike Turner took the Ike and Tina Turner Revue on an aggressive tour of the Chitlin’ Circuit, showcasing their remarkable talent to diverse and desegregated audiences, a testament to their commercial power.

In 1964, the duo signed with Warner Bros imprint Loma Records, leading to the release of their first charting album, “Live! The Ike & Tina Turner Show.” As the ’60s progressed, the duo garnered the attention of rock’s biggest names. Phil Spector, a renowned producer, worked with them on the iconic 1966 single “River Deep – Mountain High.” They also had the opportunity to support the Rolling Stones on both UK and US tours, and their Las Vegas residency attracted notable stars such as David Bowie, Sly Stone, Cher, Elvis Presley, and Elton John. The duo’s undeniable talent and stage presence cemented their status as one of the most sought-after acts of the era.

In 1969, Ike and Tina Turner had the honor of being the opening act for the Rolling Stones during their U.S. tour, a significant milestone in their career. They continued their upward trajectory by delivering a sensational rendition of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Proud Mary,” which underwent a transformation under Tina’s magnetic presence, elevating it to new heights. This remarkable rendition not only captivated listeners but also earned them a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group.

In 1975, Tina Turner ventured into the realm of cinema, portraying the mesmerizing character of the Acid Queen in Ken Russell’s epic film adaptation of The Who’s “Tommy.” Her captivating performance added an extra layer of grandeur to the already larger-than-life production. These notable achievements further solidified Ike and Tina Turner’s status as a dynamic musical force, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

Turner’s remarkable talent earned her eight Grammy Awards, and in 2021, she was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, having previously been inducted alongside Ike Turner in 1991.

Acknowledging her solo induction, the Hall of Fame emphasized how she shattered boundaries and expanded perceptions of what a Black woman could achieve on stage, emerging as a dynamic force and multidimensional artist.

Numerous contemporary stars, including Beyoncé, Janet Jackson, Janelle Monae, and Rihanna, have been profoundly influenced by her trailblazing career.

Roger Davies, Turner’s manager for three decades, released a statement honoring her extraordinary spirit, unparalleled energy, and immense talent, describing her as a truly unique and remarkable force of nature. Davies reminisced about their initial meeting in 1980, during which Turner wholeheartedly believed in herself, even when few others shared that conviction. He expressed deep sorrow at her loss and the void she leaves behind.

American singer Gloria Gaynor, who also rose to fame in the 1960s, lauded Turner for paving the way for countless women in rock music, regardless of race.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell, basketball legend Magic Johnson, and singers Kelly Rowland, Ciara, and Debbie Harry of Blondie all paid tribute to Turner, highlighting her enduring impact on the industry.

Mick Jagger, frontman of The Rolling Stones, took to Instagram to share his memories of Turner, describing her as an inspiring, warm, funny, and generous soul who supported him during his early days.

Mick Jagger Reaction to Tina Turner's Death

Acclaimed actress Viola Davis celebrated Turner as a symbol of excellence and unapologetic ownership of sexuality, emphasizing her groundbreaking influence.