Tina Turner is one of the greatest entertainers in show business. She knows what it takes to put on a great show and makes sure that every single person in her audience leaves satisfied that they got the best from her. She performs every show like it is her last and is currently going on tour again after she had retired several years ago. I am so glad she is coming back.
Tina was born as Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, Tennessee. After moving to St. Louis, Missouri Tina met Ike Turner in the late 50's. She soon married him taking on two of his children from a previous marriage and giving birth to two children. She began a well known abusive private life and a highly successful singing career with Ike. Tina's popularity was too overwhelming for Ike to handle as he continued to physically abuse his wife with his growing drug habit. Throughout the 60's they had several hits including “Shake a Tail Feather” and “A Fool in Love,” but they reached the height of their career together with “Proud Mary” in the early 70's.
The film musical Tommy included a small role for Tina as the Acid Queen. It was her first movie role and it was also very memorable. She also went on to record some solo work which only increased resentment in her marriage. By 1976 Tina finally left Ike after a brutal fight. Despite his threats she managed to stay away from him and begin her own solo career which would skyrocket her into superstardom.
Tina released four solo albums that didn't have much success at all. It was in 1984 when she signed with Capital records and released her fifth solo album entitled “Private Dancer” that brought her back into the spotlight. This album earned her five Grammy nominations with four wins. “What's Love Got To Do With It,” “Better Be Good To Me,” “Let's Stay Together,” and “Private Dancer” were all Top 10 hits from Turner's fourth solo album.
With her renewed success, Tina went on to do several duets with other well-known artist including with Bryan Adams with “It's Only Love” and she sold out concerts around the world. She was asked to be a part of Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome movie alongside Mel Gibson. She also performed the title track to the film “We Don't Need Another Hero” which also shot to number one.
By 1986 Tina released her sixth solo album, “Break Every Rule.” There were four more Top 10 singles including another single she sang with Bryan Adams “Back Where You Started.” She earned several more Grammy's for this album and managed to break records with her sold-out concerts. Tina broke the Guinness Book of World Records with the largest audience ever to see one performer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with over 184,000 people.
In 1989 “Foreign Affair” became Tina's seventh solo album, but it was released with less success than her previous efforts. However, the album contained one of her most popular songs to date “The Best”. She garnered another Grammy with several more nominations. She remains one of the most Grammy nominated and winner for the Best Female Rock Performer.
Tina retired from touring and performing in 2000 but has recently announced her return to touring on the Oprah Winfrey Show in April. She also performed alongside Beyonce at the most recent Grammy's show. She continues to wow audiences and as always entertain them with her raspy voice and her extremely high energy.
