She Was “Simply the Best”

Most artists are lucky if they have one iconic signature song, but the late, great Tina Turner had at least one for each phase of her amazing, six decade-plus career.

by Chris Narloch

There was, of course, “Proud Mary,” her most famous early hit from the days when she was still with her abusive ex-husband, Ike Turner.

Years after she finally extricated herself from that horrendously toxic relationship and started her career over from scratch, she released the single “What’s Love Got to

Do with It” which would become a comeback solo success of epic proportions. Five years on, with an arena-filling solo career going strong, Tina released the international smash “The Best,” which boosted her later career and also summed up her status as a living, breathing soul survivor.

Despite health woes, Turner found true love late in life and was able to transcend her decidedly painful early days. I was fortunate to see her twice in concert, and she came alive on stage to an extent that solidified her status as the undisputed queen of rock and roll.

She was simply the best.