FOREVER IN LOVE WITH TINA TURNER

By Jo-Carolyn Goode, Managing Editor

What's love got to do with it? Everything when it comes to Tina Turner We love her electrifying music. We love her iconic style. We love her sculpted legs. We love her endless energy. Simply put, we love Tina. And now the world shares in global mourning since the passing of the musical legend at the age of 83.

She died Tina Turner in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. But she was born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, TN. From modest means, she rose to stardom after getting her "big break" when she and her sister visited Club Manhattan and caught the ear of Ike Turner Sr. The musician and bandleader invited Little Ann, the nickname he eventually gave her, to join his band, Kings of Rhythm. Together, Ike and Tina were unstoppable, with numerous hits and never-before-seen success by any musical group. As much of a success as they were on stage, they were that much of a mess off stage. Ike and Tina, as a romantic couple, were volatile and explosive. Domestic violence cursed their relationship, with Tina feeling the brunt of Ike’s temper. In the end, she would leave the marriage with only her name and some pocket change.

Stepping out on her own was one of her better decisions. As a solo artist, Turner made one of the greatest comebacks of any artist of all time.

Rising to earn the title "Queen of Rock and Roll," Turner racked up 12 Grammy Awards, sold over 100 million records worldwide, was a Guinness World Record holder for the largest paying audience, made history as the first artist to have a top 40 hit in seven consecutive decades, got on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and the accolades go on.

Houston audiences were fortunate to see Turner live on many occasions. She first graced the stages of Houston on July 31, 1971, at the thenSam Houston Coliseum. The packed stadium saw Turner, Ike, and the famous Ikettes. Although the building does not stand anymore, the memories of that concert live on for fans. Her authentic sound would reverberate throughout other venues as she belted out popular hits such as "Simply the Best," "What’s Love Got to Do With It," "Proud Mary," "River Deep, Mountain High," and "We Don’t Need Another Hero."

Houston royal Beyonce even shared the stage with rock legends at the 50th Grammy Awards. Now she has chosen to honor the singer by performing "River Deep – Mountain High" during her current world tour.

Turner’s last performance was in 2008, at the age of 69. Her 50 year career was extraordinary and will forever be embedded in rock and roll history. Health troubles would plague Turner’s later years. In 2016, she was diagnosed with intestinal cancer. Although it was caught in the early stages, she had carcinoma and several malignant polyps.

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