Tina Turner Biography

Tina Turner is an American-born Swiss singer, dancer, and actress who has become one of the most prolific and respected soul and pop performers in history.

Early Life

Anna Mae Bullock was born in Nutbush, Tennessee on November 26, 1939. Anna Mae began singing as a teen and after she met Ike Turner she joined him on his touring show. At 20 she was already the star of the show grabbing the public’s attention with soul songs.

Ike & Tina Turner

As a duo, Ike & Tina Turner were joined by the band Kings of Rhythm. The couple began breaking the charts in 1960 with hits like A Fool in Love. Proud Mary their 1971 hit was a true breakthrough for the duo. It hit number 1 on the charts and was a staple song for Ike and Tina. Nonetheless, Tina was not happy and in 1974 she left Ike because of his physical and verbal abuse towards her.

Tina Turner

Tina’s attempt to a solo career did not come without hardship. Focusing on a disco sound and trying to break away from the past image, she released several albums like Rough and Love Explosion. The efforts were nor successful on the charts. Turner nonetheless remained an exciting live performer and concentrated on that aspect to keep her name alive. Countless concerts, openings and live shows got Tina the deserved success.

Breakthrough

In 1983 she gained a record deal with Capitol Records at the insistence of David Bowie. The first single she released was a cover of an Al Green song Let’s Stay Together, followed by the hit What’s Love Got to Do with It which stayed at number 1 for 3 weeks.  Private Dancer was released in 1984 spawning 2 more hits like Better Be Good to Me. Her success broadened when she cast opposite Mel Gibson in the 1985 post-apocalyptic film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. Two of the film’s soundtracks were recorded by Tina and became hits We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) and One of the Living. As a result, she won the Grammy award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Break Every Rule was issued in 1986 selling well, Tuner then issued a book called I, Tina which became a bestseller. She was then inducted on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, receiving a star on the notorious boulevard. She performed in front of the largest paying audience in Rio de Janeiro breaking the Guinness World Record. Her 7th studio album Foreign Affair created her signature song The Best. In 1991 she embarked on her first tour in 7 years, after which she moved to Switzerland permanently. Although not successful at first, her next album Wildest Dreams was later platinum certified in Europe.  Twenty Four Seven was released in 2000 and was supported by a tour. It was announced by the Guinness World Records that Tina had sold more tickets than any other solo concert performer in music history. Since then Tina has entered an on and off retirement, her latest release being the compilation album titled Love Songs in 2014.

Photo credit: Discogs