Tina Turner single handedly saved the Gay Olympic Games. Now known as the Gay Games. A very large international event every four years. The United States Olympic Committee could not abide the fact there was going to be a Gay Olympics in San Francisco. They had told the organizers to stop using the word Olympic and sued. A case which went to the United State Supreme Court. Never before had they had this concern. Not for the ant Olympics, special Olympics, etc. The suit almost broke the organizers back. And, then in stepped Tina offering to perform at the opening ceremonies which instantly sold out. The games were saved. Thank you so much Tina.
211
@mcgreivy, This story makes me lover her even more. Thank you for sharing!
58
I’m going to take my mom to see Tina on Broadway in May!! The second I found out about it from this article I started planning it. Even this far out the shows are already half sold out. Living legend indeed!
29
There is a long interview with Tina on YouTube at her estate there and it's really very well done. Her view of the Lake is stunning.
As per Tina's sign at the gate I broke out laughing quietly & chuckling as in the music business the rule for even 'calling' *any* musician back then was _never_ ever 'before 1pm.' Bob Dylan's manager put one out in front of Dylan's house that uses to say it more bluntly "If you have not telephoned, you are trespassing" and I've never forgotten that one ( wry chuckle ).
Creative people from all walks of life need boundaries as well as a special place to create within or just rest and rest some more.
I do remember Tina clearly saying that any thought of returning to the USA was totally out of the question as it was just "Too mean..." very telling and meaningful from a special European perspective and it's haunted me.
Let's hope that we can evolve in America so *all* of us can enjoy life vs. just a very few and _No_ I don't really need a castel either, just maybe a small bungalow or even better a small cottage that is mine.
91
Living in luxury and with a man who loves her, despite having been robbed by an abusive husband for so long ... and good luck to her!
87
Tina clearly sees her life and self as belonginf to herself not a vehicle for an ideology or movement. How refreshing
55
Incredible woman.
Tina, you're the best!
44
I saw the Ike and Tina Turner Review at Cornell University in the early 1970's. Tina Turner deserves every minute of retirement she covets. What an astounding woman who left nothing to spare; outdanced everyone on the stage and was just a brilliant performer. It wasn't until later that I found out she was in an abusive marriage. So glad she is living the good life now with lots of love and security. Leaving the U.S.! I have Turner envy.
66
If electricity could be a person, electricity would be Tina Turner.
96
I bought my first Tina T record in 1961, at the age of 13. I played it till I knew all the lyrics and would sing and dance to it’s rollicking beat in my bedroom in Brooklyn...as long as I was alone because my parents hated it. I lovedher and her music from day one. Fast forward to the ‘80s. I found out she would be playing at the Ritz in NYC and dragged my husband and another couple down from upstate NY, where I had relocated, to the show and it was one of the best nights of my life, as we managed to stand close enough to the stage to see the holes in her fishnet stockings. She was mesmerizing! Lo and behold, the final scene of the movie “What’s Love Got to Do With It” was a clip from the show that fateful night! Thank God for the Internet. I managed to track down Poor Fool, and play it every chance I get...when no ones around, of course! Love You Tina!!!
44
I was lucky enough to see Tina Turner performing live in concert five times over an almost 20 year period from 1987 to 2008. I have seen over 700 concerts and about 100 different female vocalists, in many different genres of music, rock, pop, R&B and country. Many of the biggest names in music, like Madonna, Lady Gaga, Adele, Beyonce, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Taylor Swift and Donna Summer etc. Tina Turner was one of the best live shows, because she is not just a singer, but an entertainer. She not only has a great voice, but dances, and interacts with her audience. The last time that I saw Tina Turner was at Madison Square Garden in 2008. Tom Cruise was at the concert, and I remember Tina putting him on the jumbo screen, and talking to him over the PA system to the audience's delight.
35
Good for her. She's earned what she's got. A place on a Swiss lake. Doesn't get much better than that.
48
God I love this woman!
38
Tina Turner picked me up and kept me dancing through some pretty rough times in my life and it's wonderful to read that she has the life and love she wants and deserves. She is an extraordinary performer with 'moves' and energy to spare.
Thank you for letting us know how she's doing. Thank you Erwin Bach for sharing a kidney... that's love!
60
I found this article on the phenomenal Ms. Tina Turner a bit of a put-down beginning with the intro: "It has a cartoon palace energy." The definition of cartoon: showing the feature of a subject in a humorously and exaggerated way. A travesty in this regard? Furthermore, this statement alludes to the ole saying," One can take the lady out of the country, but one can not take the country out of the lady. No pun intended in reference to her relinquishing of her US citizenship.
She "shops" but after over a decade in (heavenly) Switzerland "she does not speak German;" a language so close to English.
I do believe that Ms Hess should have stuck with the history and details leading up to the upcoming musical on the career of the resilient, iconic, and legendary songstress, rather than rehashing the sordid details she suffered from the hands and mindset of her dreadfully abusive former husband. Those horrors had been masterfully portrayed by Mr. Laurence Fishburne in the staggering and referenced film.
14
@R. Davis
She speaks some German - enough to pass the written and oral exams required for a permanent residence visa 10-15 y ago. I was living in Zurich at the time. It was in all the papers. BTW, Spoken Swiss is not German, and has very variable pronunciation, so even a fluent German speaker has problems with a Swiss raconteur.
57
@R. Davis
Not every reader is above 35 so they might not be familiar with who Ike was. I found the article fairly well balanced . There are some details that I'm curious about but I conclude they are private and respect that.
After all The NY Times is not the national inquirer or yahoo news.
16
I literally grew up on Tina Turner. My mother would take me to the Apollo Theater every week and the Ike & Tina Turner Revue were headliners. As an adult I returned the favor and took mom to see Ms. Turner at Radio City Music Hall in July 1997 (the Wildest Dreams Tour). I remember like it was yesterday. I was late catching the train to New York because I received a request to fix someone else's errors on legal documentation. Banged out the corrections; arrived at the Amtrak platform at the precise time the train had started to pull out of the station. They were kind enough to stop the train to let me on. I got to New York and my mother was carefully getting dressed. So carefully that we arrived to the concert a little after 8 pm. But not late enough to miss the announcer point out that John F. Kennedy Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were in the audience and to see their images blown up on a JumboTron. Ms. Bessette did not appreciate the intrusion.
Ms. Turner is the only performing artist that I've seen multiple times throughout the years. In June 2000 (Twenty Four Seven Tour) I saw her at The Fleet Center in Boston and couldn't resist during The Swim (a 1960's dance) during Proud Mary. I like to think she saw me up in the balcony and knew an old fan was enjoying her concert.
25
@wavedeva I was at that Radio City concert too! It was a great show. The 5 times that I saw Tina Turner were 1987 at MSG, 1997 at Radio City, 2000 at MSG, 2008 at the Prudential Center and 2008 at MSG.
13
This was an EXCELLENT article.
Superbly written.
23
Tina Turner and her backup crew decked out In their inexplicable Wilma Flintstone cave girl outfits at the Fairmont Hotel
Venetian Room , October 1983 rocked that City that night.
12
Sexist pig that I am, I have to say that it is wonderful to know that Tina Turner is living a happy life and I have memories of what a beautiful pair of legs she has always had. Gorgeous.
27
Oh, Tina! I've always loved you! You may have been just sweating through your clothes, not trying to be sexy or powerful, but you've always been both.
25
A marvelous talent, but without Ike Turner's tutelage and packaging she'd likely today be a retired choirmaster in her hometown of Nutbush, Mississippi. An abusive, drug-plagued man with demons of his own, but also the man that made Tina Tina. Somewhere beneath the world-wide fame and Swiss Chateaus she knows he's the one who made it happen. A pity she doesn't acknowledge it.
7
@steveconn
Ms. Turner attempted suicide because of Ike Turner. Don't really think she, or anyone else for that matter, would consider thanking individuals that caused them significant pain. And frankly, as someone who went to Ike & Tina Turner Revue concerts in the 1960's, I wouldn't know who Ike Turner was without Tina!
109
@steveconn
Who'd still be talking about Ike Turner if Tina Turner didn't have the talent and presence?
If he hadn't "discovered" her, someone else might have.
Either way, she paid dearly for her involvement with Ike Turner. No amount of fame was worth the broken jaw and other tortures of that demented man.
76
@wavedeva That doesn't make any sense; he put the band, dancers, the whole package together back then. Like I said, he made her who she is. You're revising history through #MeToo lenses.
4
I've always loved Ms. Turner but I never realized that my mom loved her as well. Near her death, she mentioned that she regretted that she never saw her in concert. Sadly I was never able to change that regret but we did watch any special on Ms. Turner that we could find. Tina Turner is one of the ties that continue to bind me to my mom.
14
We need one last movie that covers her life through her eyes she was a living legend and she should be more known for it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
12
With so many lovely photos of Miss Tuner available...
What is up with the two the New York Times chose?
Tina is an eternal goddess.
19
@Miss Bleu
That was to read Turner...Tina Turner.
@Miss Bleu
DDear Blue.
We know typos can happen I just made too,
tree, actually it's up to fore now. Or is it fie ?
No it's now sex. I'll stop at seven .
6
@Benito
A TSUNAMI THANKS Benito! Ultra kind of you.
We Baja Montectio Cats appreciate...
1
Oh to be as sassy as she is when I reach my 70s!
17
Simple the best.
6
I’m sorry but I’m a long time fan of Tina Turner and felt no insight, no connection from this article. Such a shame, terrible writing with no emotion. Maybe because the writer is too young to have appreciated Tina?
11
@Tony I feel that the author was conveying the truth and reality of the other side of fame.
Our favorites retire, too. She retired from entertaining everyone, she retired from making other people happy. The tone of the article seems to have matched the overall feeling that the author wished to convey about Tina’s retired life.
In the U.S., we expect celebrities to be on always, to relive their traumas and their stories always, to perform their personas always. What I got from this article was that Tina / Anna Mae is a person who is now enjoying her life, showing her quirks, revealing some of herself, exercising boundaries, and displaying a quiet power. She has done so after 30+ years of fighting her way to musical recognition unlinked to her abusive personal and professional relationship with the deceased ex-husband.
May all of those who live to entertain be able to retire with as much peace, space, and grace as Miss Tina.
30
Who can forget Tina and Mick prancing around the stage in the Live-Aid concert? The Dancing Goddess and her protege. My two year old replayed that video 1000 times, jumping around the living room, stick deodorant “mic” in his hand, belting out: “I know, it’s only Rock ‘n roll, but I like it!”
20
@Barbara Actually people who knew the Stones from their earliest days say that the rumor Jagger was copying Tina's moves is a myth; he'd been dancing up a storm since performing in his mum's living-room.
1
You can take the girl outta Nutbush, but you can't take the Nutbush outta the woman.
Nutbush is in the very back woods of Haywood County, Tennessee. I feel as if I know Tina, not personally, but in the sense that she -- like moms and my aunt -- carries markers of their common generation and home county.
I had occasion to see Tina in concert; I had worked my way very close to the stage by the time she was introducing the band. In the silence after each round of applause died down, I yelled "NUTBUSH!"
So, when she arrived at herself, she courtesied in my direction and introduced herself as "And, of course, the girl in the band -- from Nutbush -- Tina Turner."
14
@vendorz
Grrrr... on the inability to edit! The quote was:
"And, of course, the [little] girl in the band -- from Nutbush -- Tina Turner."
2
Simply the best.
9
I admire much about Tina Turner. But does she need to dwell on old hurts after 30 years of what seems a happy relationship?
And how does Bulgari go with Buddhism?
As a Buddhist where is the calm + gratefulness for all she has?
2
@msf
I practice the same Buddhism that Tina does (Nam Myoho Renge Kyo) for the last 30-plus years.
I met her once in DC at a Buddhist event when I was a newbie.
Her life trajectory is nothing short of profound, encouraging, and is actual proof of the power of her deep spiritual practice.
This Buddhism can go with Bulgari, it can go with bacon, it can go with banjos.
Its about changing ones karma, helping others, and becoming genuinely happy- each in there own way.
Just as she has done.
48
Although Ms. Tina deserves our respect and every comfort of her retirement, I was really disappointed by this shallow article. Sleeping in, accumulating expensive objects, and shushing a husband...these are pretty typical and boring parts of any retired, successful person's life. The interviewer could not have given us a more bland picture. I kept hoping for a glimpse behind the curtain, as many NY Times writers *do* go deeper. But it was obvious the interviewer felt too awed and grateful to be let into Ms. Tina's presence to be able to go deeper and provide readers more than clickbait, and an ad for the upcoming Broadway show. This article functions as a trigger for the readers to share their own memories of having seen a show either in person or on TV so long ago. But it's interesting that the majority of readers' stories also stop short of any personal experiences. The closest we get to Ms. Tina still has her on a pedestal with barely a whiff of the real person behind the legs, wig, and voice. We all know that money doesn't buy happiness. So why are we willing to accept this shallow portrait? Maybe we are just grateful and awed ourselves, to be reminded of our own memories of what Ms. Tina gave us, back in our early, struggling, hard-working, sweating, terrified, and trembling youth when we were dancing alone in our bedrooms, or driving through the night in our cars, trying desperately to summon anything close to the strength of that voice coming to us through our radios.
9
@Emilie Mitcham, regarding "these are pretty typical and boring parts of any retired, successful person's life. The interviewer could not have given us a more bland picture."
I think converting this means the article's writer conveyed the uniqueness of this artist's life, the unique part being that Ms. Turner is embracing the fruits of what she went through. What is unique is that she wants to enjoy what her work amassed financially, while being as much a retired, successful person as she is able to. She seems to be balancing this with the need to tell her story so that others will not let this happen to them.
In some ways, this is similar to the unusual way Donna Summer chose to live in Florida, and had lived her last years, before her tragic passing. She got ready for any shows at that point closer to the venue, and her neighbors did not even know her fame until after she had passed away. To everyone in her neighborhood, she was Donna. their neighbor, Bruce's wife, and only the owner of their favorite diner knew she was really Donna Summer. Maybe because I'm from Brooklyn, it amazes me that no one ever asked him aren't you Bruce Sudano from Brooklyn Dreams who had that huge hit with Donna Summer.
But the desire to retire as "ordinary couple' as possible while still financially maintaining the lifestyle, has that precedent, but is rare enough to be remarkable.
19
When living in Los Angeles, I was once part of a vast group of ‘concert goers’ for Tina Turner video. She was super professional and seemed quite shy as she waited in between takes with all eyes on her. People started calling out to her and one guy yells, Tina! I love you!” And Tina comes back with, “What’s love got to do with it?” We all busted up! She is ‘Simply the Best.’
Christina Robison
36
A survivor, a icon. There will never be another Tina Turner. Bravo Tina!
13
I love Tina and have done so since she burst through our black and white t.v. in 1970 singing Proud Mary on the Ed Sullivan show. I just bought the her new book My Love Story and look forward to further glimpses of T ina's much deserved happiness. I did notice that no mention is made of her children and grandchildren in this article.I hope she is not so wrapped up in her own happiness that she is ignoring her family.
3
I can't believe of all the interesting facts about Tina Turner's life you didn't mention that she gave up her US citizenship. It's a common conversation for US citizens who live abroad and are unlikely to return. The financial and tax burden placed on US citizens living outside the US is very high. Therefore, it's disappointing that when a much loved and high profile American star does renounce her citizenship, it's not even worth a few lines in an article about her life to give some thought as to why she would want to do so.
15
@Charlene in a country that wouldn't help her when she was being beaten. A country that continually made her feel like a second class citizen. A country that expects her to be "Tina" at all times. I get why she did that.
79
Back in the late 1960's I was a student at the University of Missouri in Columbia. I lived in one of the first mixed-gender dormitories on campus, Mark Twain. In order to pay for college I worked at the desk at Mark Twain and assigned keys to senior women when they knew they'd be out after the dormitory was locked. In those days, the dorm would sponsor dances and special concerts on home football game weekends. One of the more popular groups invited to perform was the Ike and Tina Turner Review, which hailed from St. Louis. I still remember that old blue bus pulling into the parking lot emptying itself of Ike, Tina, and their raunchy but glorious band. It's good to know that Tina's in her glory and living a deserved good life.
30
Incomparable grace and talent. Stay well Miss Turner.
21
My wonderful wife Pitta passed away 2 months ago after suffering from Huntingtons Disease for 20 years. Tina Turner was her favourite singer and performer. When Pitta and I travelled together in our camping car, as we did most of our lives, we would sing Simply the Best at the top of our voices, until Pitta was no longer able to travel or sing. Years ago we saw Tina's incredible concert in Spain on tv and neither of us forgot it. Sometimes to tease me, Pitta, with a mischievous smile on her face, would dance some of Tina's moves, until the pace of the music and moves became too much, and we'd both break out laughing. Thankyou Tina for the joy you brought to us, through and above all of your own pain. If Pitta were here with me, she would join me in saluting you, your performances, and your courage.
67
Tina's voice will live forever as one of the the funkiest, most soulful of all time. She has another gear that reminds me of stepping on a throttle in a sports car. Tina is the gold standard.
26
I was 14 years old when I fist heard her songs in the 80s, and was hooked. Always my idol, even though I grew up in asia, love her! Love her energy with the buddhist chanting of nam myo ho. God bless her! Wishing her great health , love, and thank you for being inspiring, standing out and living your life respectfully!
17
How wonderful it is that Tina found lasting love later in life. She is an inspiration to us all.
14
I really lament the dearth of original musicians like Tina Turner, and feel it’s important to continue celebrating her. Beyonce, Cardi B, and the other usual suspects – all of whom strolled through doors that Turner herself ferociously kicked open decades before this #MeToo age – are talented performers, but in my view the current musical landscape is, for the most part, exemplified by style over substance.
Tina Turner is more than her musical talent and her (well-deserved) accolades. She’s a model for hard work, resiliency, fortitude, perseverance, dignity, presence, inventiveness, creativity, and liberation. Whenever I think of her, I contemplate these qualities, in addition to enjoying her music and appreciating her extraordinary career. And I can't help but yearn for more of the unapologetic, pioneering, iconic female artists that Tina Turner was, and is.
80
@Iggy, totally agree
9
@Iggy
" but in my view the current musical landscape is, for the most part, exemplified by style over substance. "
THIS
"And I can't help but yearn for more of the unapologetic, pioneering, iconic female artists that Tina Turner was, and is."
And THIS
5
@Iggy
I've been a Tina Turner fan for 55 years. The only performing artists that I would consistently pay to see today are P!nk, Taylor Swift and Chris Isaak.
2
The profound effects of domestic violence don’t end when the abusive relationship does, but Tina obviously long ago worked her way through and beyond past experiences and into new, healthy relationships (including with herself) and a new life. It must be monumentally tedious to constantly still be asked about Ike by the press, especially when that relationship ended 43 - 43! - years ago and was exhaustively detailed in her autobiography and many interviews.
50
@Element 79 Thank you! Let's talk about Ms. Turner's Egyptian collection of objects, or especially her steady Buddhist observation. Or better not! It's easy to be done w it, and not- may I assume your're a man, and have never been seriously beaten?
2
@Element 79 What's Ike got to do, got to do with it? Nothing! “Ike’s dead... so we don’t have to worry about him.”
7
I went to see Tina in concert in 1986 shortly after my first child was born. My husband was given tickets to the show by a business client and I was reluctant to leave my son with his grandparents for a night out. I am so glad I decided to go - what a concert - I had no idea what a powerhouse she was on stage. It was one of the best concerts I have ever experienced.
Tina was an amazing role model for so many of us; she always worked hard and held her head high. I was in Zurich last year, it is a great city in an absolutely beautiful setting. Erwin sounds like a truly loving, caring man. Lots of love Tina, I am so glad you are in your happy place.
35
We went to see her in concert years ago! The lady really knows how to sing and entertain! One of the best performers!
14
Good for her. She and Aretha were my favorite female R&B artists. She had a great pair of legs and could scoot across the stage like James Brown.
In the 60's and 70's as a blue eyed soul brother I saw him on several occasion in concert in Houston. Saw Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Lou Rawls, Chuck Berry and others as well.
I remember turning on a tv around 1990 and seeing Tina on a PBS show that had taped a giant outdoor stadium in Europe that had a telescopic crane that picked her up off the stage and swept her above the audience. They went absolutely crazy. I would estimate the crowd as 80,000 or more.
At the time I had a 90 pound labrador retriever. I got up to boogie on my hardwood floors and he stood up on his hind legs put his front paws in my hands and we danced for ten minutes, maybe more. I think he really felt the music.
I know she had a lot of trouble with Ike but am happy that things have worked out for her. My favorite Otis Redding LP was his Live In Europe recording. Had he lived longer I can just imagine what a great duo Tina and Otis would have made. Equal billing of course.
It boggles my mind to think of it. I'm now gong to read this story.
27
Pretty cool story! Well written. Stay well, Miss Turner
14
My husband and I saw Tina perform in a small movie theatre in Topeka, Kansas in 1981. She was absolutely fabulous. This was between her fame with the Ike and Tina Turner review and when she hit it big as a solo act. The theatre was not full and she might have been nearly forgotten, but we never forgot that evening when she danced and sang like no one else. The best concert we ever saw!
46
@Lynell French Marianetti
As a Kansas native who once or twice served as a "page" at the State Capitol in Topeka, I can only imagine how incredible this experience must have been!
I once met Ike backstage at a big music festival. (I was a photographer.) Long story short: we had a mildly tense interaction in which Ike really wanted something from me, and he was...menacing. I knew, in that moment, that Tina wasn’t making anything up.
She’s a tough lady.
61
Bow to The Queen of ROCK! Wow, no one comes close to the singing dancing mega-power that is Tina Turner! Now singers lip-synch to tracks when performing 'live'. She did it all and set the stage on fire with her intensity and artistry. LOVE YOU TINA!
32
I spent my youth in Houston loving Tina through it all. Now I'm spending my senior years loving her more. One of my biggest regrets in life is not seeing her in concert. I wish someone would put together a Tina Turner concert documentary. Much of the world will stop and truly morn when she dies and her songs will be played for days and days.... Nam Myoho Renge Kyo Tina..
20
@Wyman Elrod
I'm from Houston as well. While I regret never seeing her live I did see a lot of R&B stars at the Coleseum which was torn down decades ago. It as next to the Music Hall which has been redone and is downtown close to the Houston old Police Station. I suggest that you look for my earlier post. KHUT which is the PBS affiliate in Houston ran a show ( not produced by them) that was at least an hour long maybe 90 minutes.
The entire show was a concert or montage of several concerts in Europe at soccer stadiums where there appeared to be 80,000 fans grooving to Tina. I saw the show on channel 8 around 1990 but the concert predated it by 2 years perhaps.
If you can find it I think you'll really enjoy it. BTW I was born in Longview 70 years ago.
5
@Wyman Elrod
You mention her dying and people mourning.
I have used this phrase occasionally joking but think in her case it'll be true.
She lives in the hearts of her many fans.
7
G O D D E S S
31
Background: Almost exactly 2 years ago, I went with friends to the Bel Air Bar & Lounge. The Hotel et al had been bought by The Dorchester Collection & significantly upgraded from an “old Hollywood” look to a modern showpiece. We had loved the original Bar & were anxious to see the “new” version.
One thing that stunned me as we entered the bar was -- bigger-than-life-size photos of mostly entertainers “painting” the walls! There were at least 4 artists displayed the night we were there but I only recall 2; Tina Turner & Mick Jagger. What was so impressive was that of *all* the photos, there was 1,000 times more ENERGY exploding from the Tina Turner shots than from any of the others!
I’ve attached a pic which I probably downloaded from Bel Air’s website after our evening there. And from other web-crawling after our night out, I discovered the photos are by Norman Sieeff. He was an M.D. who emigrated from South Africa to become a filmmaker, photographer, and designer in the States.
Anyone in the L.A. area can visit the Bel Air although I have no idea if the same photos are always displayed.
12
She renounced her US citizenship to escape the onerous tax regime that applies to Americans living abroad. Good for her!
25
Thanks for ths story. Tina is ten years my senior. She is and always will be my idol! I remember imitating her one Halloween and winning first prize! Nice to see that so many of us love her and that she hasn't been forgotten.
19
She never whined. She never became a professional victim. She paid her dues and then some. All she ever did was develop her talents to extraordinary heights and achieve more than a reasonable person could ever dream of. And along the way, she made some great music. If anyone deserves financial independence, security, love, peace, and a new kidney, it is Ms Tina Turner.
70
Tina - a wonderful, powerful, remarkable strong woman. Proud that she chose our tiny country as her home! Happy retirement! Thanks for this fabulous article about an impressive woman.
48
If I had a nickel for every time I jumped off the couch as a child to dance along with Tina to "Proud Mary", I would have a Swiss chateau. Now, if you will excuse this old retired man who doesn't have to do anything, I will head over to YouTube and binge on Tina for the afternoon.
78
Tina’s early recording with then husband, Ike, for New York’s Sue label sounded like scenes from her marriage, with titles such as "You Shoulda Treated Me Right", "Tina's Dilemma", "The Argument" and "Worried And Hurtin' Inside" – all released in 1962.
In 1966, Ike and Tina worked with the now jailed Phil Spector. As astute as Spector was, he recognized the power in Tina’s voice and cut “River Deep-Mountain High” with almost zero involvement from Ike. Although little appreciated in the US, the disc stormed to #3 in the UK and no doubt helped open up the European market for her.
By the early 80s she latched onto the then contemporary pop-r&b sound that Michael Jackson helped establish. Like Jackson, she found some UK writers; in her case, Terry Britten and Graham Lyle (formerly of the duo Gallagher & Lyle). With Mr. Britten producing, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” reached #1 in the US and won that year’s Grammy Award for the Song Of The Year.
On the charts in 1960, Tina is now “having the time of her life” nearly 60 years later. And so, her 1961 hit, “I Think It’s Gonna Work Out Fine” was truly and deservedly prophetic. Good for her!
35
Living well is the best revenge.
86
Did you think that up?
2
@Edna Purviance - No, that phrase belongs to Calvin Tompkins. But the phrase applies to Tina Turner.
12
@E.B.
George Herbert included it in hi book of proverbs in 1640
4
I wonder what her relationship is like with her children.
7
@Ashanti - One might ask any performer, politician, doctor, teacher, homeless person about their relationship with family. Then again, it's possible that the questions about family relationships might be considered intrusive and offensive.
11
She was the face of Soul music not Rock n Roll. Rock came many years after her success with Ike and the Ikettes.
6
What a strangely incomplete article which shed very little insight on such a huge figure in Music and African American lives.
10
@Trip Wilkins The article is about her life now. If you want more, go see the musical... or read her autobiography.
15
@Trip Wilkins
Buy the book!
11
Agree. It was an advertisement for the Broadway musical or a book or whatever, pretending to be an article.
1
Tina is the best. Thank you for this story, it made me smile knowing she is happy and loved.
23
Years ago, we saw "What's Love Got to Do with It" on a Sunday afternoon in a small theater in Jackson, Mississippi. A large contingent of black women in their Sunday finest after church made up the rest of the audience. We were the only whites there.
When the scene where Tina finally fought back came on, those previously silent, mature women were cheering her on, bouncing up from their seats, and obviously showing love and admiration for the real Tina. It was a wonderful experience.
54
Tina Turner -- Living International Treasure. She is a remarkable woman and a spectacular performer. One of my treasured memories of the 1960s is seeing her front the Ike and Tina Turner Review. She she made them shine, and she blew us away. Thanks for this wonderful profile.
22
I can't add more to the all loving and eloquent praise of Tina Turner. She is just fantastic.
But I can say that Chris Martin and Coldplay must have had their minds blown that one of their songs and Chris' voice is among her favorites. What a compliment.
47
"What a compliment." And what a surprise. Who would have thought?
1
@JW
Don't understand why this is a surprise. Why should Ms. Turner be limited to one music type? I have CDs and stream music of at least 10 different music styles and have been to various concerts of all different music styles from opera to rock and roll to soul. I like contemporary music as well as the oldies. Free your mind!
6
This quote from Turner: "I don't necessarily want to be a 'strong' person" struck a chord with me. She HAD to be strong to live through that kind of abuse, while raising children and performing almost nightly. Not to mention having to REBUILD her career from scratch when she left Ike.
Feminists boast about women embracing their "strength." We should. But Tina's statement is a glimpse into the true inner lives of many African American women, particularly those who are baby boomers. My mother, a lawyer and single parent who had a successful career in the nonprofit sector, has made similar comments. Since slavery, Black women have carried the weight of the world on their shoulders. Many didn't (and don't) have a choice BUT to be strong. Being able to rest, enjoy her life and be taken care of, as anachronistic as that sounds, is a VICTORY for Tina Turner as much as her success in the music industry.
Revel in the opulence and repose, Schatzi. You earned it.
189
@bklynfemme - Amen Sister. I have learned and said this to other black women - that they do not have to always be strong. When you feel you do, you are hiding parts of yourself, which creates greater insecurity. It hides our ability to be soft, feminine and yes, emotionally dependent, which all human beings need.
Yes. Tina deserves all she has worked for. To do absolutely nothing and to like it!
43
Tina Turner is legendary. I was so fortunate to see the "Private Dancer" Tour in college. Such zeal for life in performing, and she had real songwriters who wrote with lyrics and music that meant something. Today's songwriters have missed the boat completely
16
An amazing person- truly a gift to Earth from above.
18
wow. tina. double wow. in additional to her great singing, dancing, the overall great entertaining, i have always thought: tina turner has class. over her long, brilliant career, she did the work -and what work it was - in the worst of times, the best of times, shear joy of entertaining. no drama. no public complaints. you do not effuse the kind of joy she does on stage and on record, without joy in your heart. rock on tina 🙏🏽❤️
40
@cass county Double, triple wow --you got, babe... TOTAL class... oooohhh, Tina!
9
This is an enjoyable profile of Ms. Turner, but the suggestion that she doesn’t speak German seems questionable. She became a Swiss citizen in 2013, and to do that she had to demonstrate a satisfactory level of proficiency in one of the official Swiss languages. In the Canton of Zürich, that means German. Not sure if it really matters in the scheme of things, but I think it’s worth completing the picture.
20
@David Geneva Perhaps there was an element of leniency in this case with regard to the language portion of the citizenship quiz. There are a couple of interviews online in which Tina Turner speaks a few words in German, and also mentions taking lessons but not getting very far with the language.
12
@David Geneva, surely they graded her on the superstar/legend/icon curve?
9
I saw Tina Turner in 1968 or 1969 at the Filmore East in NYC. It was said to be her first time singing without Ike. The lead act was a rock group (no idea who), and when she went on she was alone on the stage. She was utterly breathtaking, and I'll never forget her act. She was pure energy. Sweating, sexy, with an astounding voice and body.
42
We all love and respect you Tina.
You really rock.
63
Hey, after escaping the clutches of the “Ike Man,” Tina deserves a diva’s respite.
34
Ike and Tina Revue was the first concert I saw. 1971, Selland Arena, Fresno, Calif. Rows of folding chairs. It was a magical experience and I’ve followed Tina ever since, especially after Ike got out of her way. I’m old now, and so is she. She’s a wonder.
24
You can help falling in love with her; Simply The Best!
17
After reading this article, I want to see the show!
Rock on Tina!
9
Tina deserves to sleep as late and shop as much as she wants. She worked very hard for a very long time. To whit:
"You know, every now and then
I think you might like to hear something from us
Nice and easy
But there's just one thing
You see we never ever do nothing
Nice, easy
We always do it nice and rough
So we're gonna take the beginning of this song
And do it easy
But then we're gonna do the finish rough
This is the way we do "Proud Mary"
20
@E.D. And it's why she stopped touring. In an interview with Oprah she explained that her life got to a point where she would perform and spend the time between shows recovering.
11
It's called aging.
1
Darling Tina, "simply the best ...better than all the rest!"
16
I find the details about her relationship with her pet man unnecessary, and a bit creepy - unless to point out that she enjoys calling all the shots and purposefully sought out a weak man.
13
@Henry
I cannot imagine where your hatred comes from. I know this article mentions "the press called him her boy toy", but how many boy toys do you know that would give you a KIDNEY if you needed it? IMHO, he's earned his keep LOL!
Not that he needs it.....overseas, he's a famous music producer who has been associated with Paul McCartney, Queen, & others. In 2017 his net worth was estimated at $50 million.
Also, if I had been married for a decade-plus to a man who threw hot coffee on me and broke my jaw (as well as many other beatings), if that’s considered “strong” then I sure would prefer a “weak” man! However, in the news, you’re beginning to hear of “toxic masculinity”, & that’s what I’d label Ike. Mr Bach, successful in his own right, could never be called weak.
Mr Bach apparently wines her & dines her & enthroned her in a chateau, all of which she DESERVES!
91
@Henry. I had a similar feeling of being sad for him. When he "talks too much" she uses a hand gesture to tell him to stop??!! That's depressingly demeaning to him, as described in the advertisement, um, I mean article.
Dang, after reading the descriptions, I was hoping for some photos of the chateau.
12
@Jules
Me,too.I's shallow, but, I'd love a peek.
5
Simply the best!
10
Tina is cool. Erwin Bach is not. Not at all.
1
@Cassandra - "Cool" is an adjective that maybe belongs to kids reading comics. Tina Turner is a splendid artist; her choices reflect her own preferences, she likely doesn't choose a life partner based on comic book characters. I'd be willing to bet Tina Turner's relationships are exactly perfect for who she is and what she needs.
15
Great subject but would have enjoyed an actual interview
11
Tina deserves EVERYTHING.
17
Let me put it this way... When I was a little girl I ... heard Tina Turner sing River Deep Mountain High. And do I still love her, my oh my, yeah, yeah, yeah.
That white, 12 year old girl wanted nothing more than to be an Ikette .
19
Great piece. Tina's a testament to what brains, work, and taste can get you in life. Smart life choices are all. And if Kusnacht was good enough for Jung, it must have something going for it, right?
9
I have said for years that, of all the famous people in the world today, Ms. Turner would be among the very first I'd like to have a conversation with. She personifies the truism that it's not how they fall that defines people. It's the manner in which they get back up.
26
This article is like paying Tina Turner a visit at her lovely home. The Tina, of today, in a place she rightfully deserves for the many years of entertainment she has given us. Thank you for this piece of inspiration.
16
I had the pleasure of seeing Tina Turner perform at Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center. What energy she had dancing on the stage with those beautiful Tina Turner legs. Her voice. It was all so wonderful. Thank you Tina for your music and many contributions to the world of music. Enjoy your retirement!!
18
Saw her in a tiny club in Tempe, Arizona, near ASU, back in the early '80's, with three backup singers. All I could think of at the time was, "What is this force of nature doing performing in this tiny club?"
20
@Alan Dean Foster I also saw her at that place—likely the same show. My wife and I met her at the back door when she arrived from the airport. She was not happy, as her outfits had been misplaced, but she went on, of course, and though I’ve been to innumerable concerts in my day, this one was incomparable and unforgettable...got my wife dancing on a tiny table and she wet her pants.
10
@J mooney
This article and comments are bringing back so many happy memories. Your comment about you wife reminds me of a vacation I took in the early 70's, I had a boss who was my first mentor.
I worked for a brokerage firm and Wayne was from the midwest but despised living in Houston. After working together for a year he invited me and a young female employee to join him and 5 other people to rendevouz in Seattle jump on a wooden schooner and sail to Vancouver and return to Seattle. The only thing that me and Deb had to pay for was plane fare. Otherwise meals , charter fees were gratis in appreciation for hard work. Deb had one week available so she got there the next week. Boss and I fly up and I meet everyone the first time. He had lived there previously and they were friends including his G/F The charter was a day late in returning due to engine issues So our trip was scaled back. Fine we leave and head out around 4 PM in August. Wonderful sunset Night happens and unbeknowest to me they were not great navigators and we wind up in the middle of the Puget Sound fishing fleet after about 8 hours we limp into Friday Harbor. It's an island in the San Juan chain, I''m throwing up due to being near the straining engine but we go to sleep . The next morning is great except that I learn how close we came to crashing a 40 y/o boat. That evening we go to a bar, live band tiny table and I spend 1/2 the night dancing on the table glad to be alive. No pants wetting
1
Excellent profile of one of the greatest performers of our time. What a pleasure to read this piece today!
27
To this day, Turner has never revealed the full extent of his abuse. “I think I’m ashamed,” she said. “I feel I told enough.”
How heartbreaking.
She's a goddess who deserves all the good things in life.
151
I've been a fan since I was 18. I'm now 70. Undying respect for a survivor of abuse before it had a name and a perfomer who clawed her way to the top of the pyramid. Thanks for your courage and everything you've given us.
89
Tina is proof how much a good voice has value that may be willfully exploited, and how much we need to fight to value our own soul to own our own hard work and talent in order to set it free. Sometimes people don’t even realize how valuable their voice is, and they set it down to be forgotten. Fact is it costs money to get a good voice to production, and there will always be someone looking at a contract more carefully than we may believe in ourselves.
What’s love got to do with it? Sometimes learning to love one’s self is tough love, but it’s still love, Tina. And it took a great love of performance and “good Tinas” to put up with that many years on the road. Thank you for sharing. Now go enjoy your privacy!
9
She is the ultimate survivor, Long May She Live.
I truly worship Her, and offer my Thanks for the decades of pure
Bliss. “ Simply The Best “.
26
Tina is a wonder. She deserves everything she has and more. I wish her MANY more years of her lovely retirement with her wonderful husband.
33
She looks wonderful. Her life had so many ups and downs, and she worked very hard for years. While I miss hearing new songs from her and watching her perform, I applaud her for saying "Enough. That part of my life is behind me and I'm going to live the rest on my own terms. Sounds like she was a wonderful home and a wonderful husband to share it with. She deserves the happiness she's found. Thanks for all the memories and wonderful songs!
24
I saw Tina perform at Radio City Music Hall 1997 "Wildest Dreams Tour." She was spectacular. She appeared over the audience on a hydraulic lift, singing away. I just love her and am most happy to know that she is living a wonderful life with her husband. Joy to you dear Tina.
34
I am actually one of those who have dare to imitate Tina Turner. I do it for fun and in her honor always!! She is and always will be a show-stopper. I have seen Tina: The Musical twice in London and have my tickets for the Broadway Production in November. This show was a hit in London and certainly should be on Broadway. There is noone like Tina Turner!!
11
My dad, living in St. Louis during the 1950's, told me about going over to East St. Louis to see Ike and Tina, said she was incredible back then, that she had the elusive "spark." Years later, I saw her during the Private Dancer tour. Like my dad before, I was enthralled and moved by her powerful biography I read in I, Tina, which the movie What's Love Got To Do With It was based on. I remember getting to the part when Private Dancer blew up huge with tears streaming down, thinking of all the heartache, abuse and every kind of pain she went through, leaving Ike and beginning the slow trajectory up to that glorious moment. Thank you for the inspiration you still give me Ms. Turner, I can't think of anyone who deserves a wonderful life more than you, Cheers!
35
I met Tina in the late '70s, after she'd left Ike and had her own home in the Hollywood Hills. I was a seamstress, and I'd made her a bedspread and pillows in flower prints, in soft earthy colors, cause she wanted a "country French" look, and no more of Ike's "pink shag rugs and plastic furniture". Her Buddhist shrine had a prominent place in the living room. She was a pleasure to work for.
290
You gave your all on stage and never let the emotional and physical pain show. Enjoy your life, Tina. You made the lives of many of us toe tappers happy. Live long and prosper.
55
I was never a huge fan of Tina Turner. Oh, I liked her music well enough, but didn't see what all the big fuss was about. Then I came across a tv broadcast of one of her concerts on what I think was her farewell tour. I was mesmerized. Utterly transfixed. Could not keep my eyes off her. She moved more in that concert (and I believe she was in her late 60s at that time) than I had moved in my entire life (I was about 54 at the time)! I don't know what you call it - presence - charisma - grace - talent - but it came full force through the tv screen. If her performance was that powerful through a tv screen, I can't imagine what seeing her live was like. Enjoy your retirement Tina - you've worked hard enough for several lifetimes! I'm glad you are happy and at peace.
68
@Vicki
I was at one of the farewell concerts - and I think she was 69. Believe me, it was even more exhilarating in person. What was also wonderful was that there were multiple generation of women going together: young girls being towed along by their mothers and grandmothers ( or maybe aunts). Inspiring. You left feeling as if she gave you a little gift of all that energy and grace.
14
Thank you New York Times. After the headlines of the past couple of weeks what a delight to open the paper and have Ms. Turner start my day. I feel so much better just being reminded that Tina Turner is still on the planet with us.
Ms. Turner I don't know if you're reading this but I want to say thank you. Your work has been such a huge part of the soundtrack of my life I can't imagine getting to here without you. You brought me joy, gave me strength and, for good or bad, you taught this white boy how to shimmy.
Enjoy the fruits of your labors and live well. Thanks again.
99
I have adored Tina Turner since I first heard her 50 years ago. I was lucky enough to see her twice while she was still with Ike, but unfortunately I never saw her after her solo comeback because stadium shows don't appeal to me at all. To bad for me. I've got all her solo albums and many of the ones with Ike. During the years after Ike, but before Private Dancer she produced several excellent solo albums that were largely ignored. The first, "Tina Turns the Country On" has shamefully never been reissued on cd. It has what I consider her single greatest vocal performance "Bayou Song" and it deserves to be better known so I've provided a link to it along. I've also provided a link to another great performance on that same album. The Kris Kristofferson song "Help Me Make It Through The Night".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQcFkIStWmA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hO2Qes7y-M
27
Thank you for the links. I can't wait to watch.
4
@jim Thank you so much for posting these links. What a way to start the day.
5
Tina Turner is one of my all time favorite performers and I'm happy that she's loving retirement. I still regret not scraping together the $25 to see her perform at the Fontainebleau Hotel lounge on Miami Beach in 1976. I also find it interesting (but not surprising) how many African Americans still find Europe more pleasing to live in than living in the USA.
49
@Tonyp152 European countries have a lot to offer. For African Americans, they don't experience the baggage of slavery as they do in America. Many Americans find that in many countries, life is not the hectic pace as we find in America. Work rules give employees more rights, more vacation days, they get better healthcare, child care, family leave (both women and men). I wish I had the money and health to make the move.
51
I was fortunate enough to see Tina's show in the Bay Area many years ago. She was beyond amazing. Her singing and dancing were a thrill to experience. Tina deserves every minute of peace and joy her retirement brings her.
26
Now when I think of Tina Turner, I will think of her living her “happily ever after” on the shores of Lake Zurich.
Lovely.
119
This article made my morning. What a treasure! God bless you, Miss Turner!
33
This article makes me love her even more. I had the opportunity to work with her and Ike from 1973-1977 many times. Interesting, Ike would never work with me for publicity, telling me to work with Tina directly. Over the 3-4 years and several shows I worked with her, we had some very interesting conversations.
20
A great profile of a great woman. May she enjoy her happiness for many years to come.
30
A long way from Nutbush, Tennessee and she earned her respect and reputation.
Private Dancer, the song written by Mark Knopfler, is still her best work.
23
I was really surprised when I found out how small she is in real life. With her stage presence she seemed so much larger. God bless this wonderful woman.
35
I chose this article because Broadway interested me. This article interests me and i feel that Tina Turner is very fun to learn about. The story is very entertaining.
8
@reese
Dear Reese,
I gather you are young. I hope in your future you see a performer as exciting,dynamic and as powerful as Tina Turner . She is a total package unlike very few others.
Whether it's called Soul or Rythm & Blues she put everything she had at the moment into it. As I mentioned in another comment I had a large dog who saw me dancing while watching her on a small tv.
I'm not sure if he saw me having so much fun dancing or if he was enjoying the music. Sometimes dogs howl if they don't like what they hear. Felix wasn' t making any noise but I think he was enjoying seeing me happy. I had 2 black labs as an adult Both were fine dogs but had distinct personalities. Gandalf was more serious and I raised him from a pup.
I got Felix from the Spca about 2 years after Gandalf died. He was a bit goofier and loved to eat. I don't know your circumstances but I hope you enjoy having a pet and enjoy and learn from them. In the meantime take school seriously and be nice to the other kids.
I was privileged to see Tina Turner live and up-close (with-in 20 feet) probably in 1975 in New Orleans; she was a great deal more than I had expected. Much more.
I have only seen one other individual, live, that possessed the power and charisma in their voice that Tina did; and Robert Plant is noticeably second place to her.
She still has the charisma, even in the pictures. I have lost a lot of my hearing, my mind still has all of her intact.
33
What a great story.
21
Well deserved golden retirement for the Queen of rock. I wish her many, many happy years.
36
Good for you Tina. Enjoy retirement. Do what you want and not what others want from you.
26
Good for her, she deserves all that she has. I don't understand why reporters and TV people continually ask stupid questions like "do you remember when Ike hit you?" No one knows how to conduct a proper interview anymore, its is amazing.
60
Frankly I am not all that familiar with Tina’s work but still marvel at how she moved to “Acid Queen” in the movie “Tommy”.
As far as this:
“Thirty years later, Mike Wallace visited Anna Fleur, Turner’s villa in the south of France, and he asked her: “Do you feel like you deserve all this?” To which she replied: “I deserve more.”
Mike Wallace: a supreme jerk with a lot of gall. Would he have asked Elton John that question?
251
I have to be honest... I love her response. Makes me admire her even more.
36
@FDRT Exactly!
12
Was on a date once with someone who made a snide comment about Tina. I ended that date quickly.
87
Simply the best...
31
Tina USA force of nature. The movie “Let It Bleed” shows Mick Jagger dismissing her because as a opening act Tina stole the show. Of course then Jagger stole her moves.
49
@Paulie
I saw her perform live once, circa 1971, and it was as the opening act for the Rolling Stones. She did steal the show.
50
@Paulie
Mick and The Stones always put on an amazing show but when you share the stage with Tina Turner it doesn't matter if you're the headliner or the opener you are simply not the star. That's the thing about forces of nature.
30
@Paulie no paulie the movie is Gimmee Shelter, about the stones 69 tour and it shows mick's admiration for Tina, which continued when her solo band opened for the stones throughout the us in 1981, a huge boon to her solo career. He also brought her with him to LiveAid for an electrifying performance. Fact is mick was always one of her biggest fans.
17
More power to Tina.
22
Better than all the rest
7
Man. I remeber seeing "The Ike and Tina Revue" in Louisiana; well over 40 years ago bfore she dumped Ike). She absolutely blew my socks off. I have never seen any female artist (before or since) with her presence. She san "River Deep, Mountain High" (the single was produced by Phil Spector, with his "Wall of Sound"). She made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, and that's not all! She had the "X" factor, in huge letters: SEX. Without a doubt, Tina was the sexiest performer I had ever seen, and still is. I couldn't believe seeing her in the 3rd "Mad Max" film; however, she was poorly cast in the Who's rock opera "Tommy" as the "Acid Queen". Regardless, god bless her. She deserves every bit of praise. Hdr voice, her legs, her whole being was in unison. She kind of reminded me of James Brown, although she is infinitely more beautiful than James of course. BTW, my older sister (now pssed away),used to go see James Brown with her dirlfirends. 4 white girls in a sea of black faces. Go Tina!
18
Good for her!!!!!!!!!!
21
Thanks for another fluff piece about the rich and famous.
2
@K. Norris Sorry, but you really missed the boat on this one, K. Sheesh.
25
@K. Norris
Please take your snarky comments elsewhere!
Articles like this are read because we want to celebrate the lives of people who have worked incredibly hard to achieve what they have, especially in the face of unimaginable abuse, and not merely because they're 'rich and famous.'
32
@K. Norris No kidding. I love it!
3
“I was just tired of singing and making everybody happy,” she said. “That’s all I’d ever done in my life.”
I love her so much. What a legend. What a life. We are not worthy of you Tina, but we are so grateful for you, dazzled by your talent, in awe of all you've survived.
45
@Wicked Pisser
she not only survived, she prevailed
11
A very well written piece, balanced, informative and entertaining. Nice job.
23
I once commented on a Beyonce tribute of "Proud Mary" to Tina: She's good, but nobody does it like Tina.
I got hate email for years, but I still stand by my statement.
Am glad she stands her ground: I had a terrible life. She did; Ike tortured her; to forgive him or praise him would be a sin. Lady's got a moral compass.
185
"I deserve more!" Women need to hear more of that.
253
Second to Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner has the voice that will never be copied
19
One has to celebrate the triumph and give thanks for the career of Tina Turner, and her long painful path to a storybook ending in Switzerland. The following may be frowned on and seen as 'sympathy for the devil', in properly acknowledging not only Ike Turner's place in Tina's career, but his own commanding role in American music. Yes, Ike is proof (as is Picasso, and for that matter James Brown and Joni Mitchell) that great artists are not always Nice People. I live in St. Louis, and know(and knew) a number of the singers and players who worked for Ike. They all pretty much said the same thing: Ike was a taskmaster, it was his way or the highway, but playing in Ike Turner's band was the greatest thrill of their careers. He was a masterful guitarist/bandleader/arranger---one evening I watched him steal the show from the likes of the million selling Tyrone Davis, blues icon Little Milton, and Chuck Berry's great pianist Johnnie Johnson. And Ike did it on the first number, leading a 12 piece band he'd not rehearsed with, playing piano. All praise is due to the talent and bravery of Ms. Turner, but for an insightful eulogy on her ex-husband, read the words of Steely Dan's Donald Fagen, and have a spoonful of sympathy for the devil: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2007/12/donald-fagen-on-the-legacy-of-ike-turner.html
10
Tina is awesome. Always!
But your math is off. Her version of Proud Mary is about 75% longer.
5
Tina never quit. She didn’t look for a hand out or a hand up. No excuses. She didn’t waste time on them. She would no be denied her dreams.
17
"Whenever he talks too much, Turner raises a hand in the air and cinches her fingers together in the style of Dr. Evil, and he quiets."
-------------------------------------------
Is this an acceptable way to treat a human being? Clearly they are not in an equal relationship but Ms Hess seems to think this is somehow quaint. If a man acted this way to his wife in front of a reporter, he would be excoriated in the article. Equality means equal.
I was also surprised that there was no mention of Ms Turner giving up her American citizenship in 2013.
14
@Michael Live in peace, Michael, you mentioned this fact and, frankly, much, much more. (Cue: Raised hand, cinches fingers)
13
@Michael - Partners communicate in ways not always discernible to outsiders. Perhaps you and I might not be informed about the exact ways they speak to each other. Tina and her partner have been together for decades; they've obviously got a formula for success. Maybe we don't completely understand their model; maybe we can only understand our own model.
5
Her landlord lives in her attic? Does he use the same entrance as she and her husband? Shouldn’t the author have explained this very odd arrangement?
13
I saw her when she was just relaunching after Ike. Six of us in the audience! She was fantastic. What guts!!!
23
Thanks for the article...Tina is a class act...
12
"Aunty Entity" deserves a rest.
What a woman.
May you have many more blissful years doing nothing.
6
Would have been nice to see pics of her Swiss abode, but maybe a privacy issue?
7
Way back when I was very much a sprog (and dinosaurs ruled the earth), my father was a partner in a bar. Long before they became famous, Ike and Tina Turner came through and performed there.
Maybe it's hindsight, but my parents always said they saw them headed for greatness.
I'm just happy that Tina was able to find it on her own terms.
21
She still looks great! I would never think to ask her if she deserves "all this." Tina Turner lived a hard life and worked incredibly hard. She deserves all she has and even more. Live long! And feel good, Tina. We fans remember and love you!
38
Have you ever seen Tina Turner and Elizabeth Warren in the same place at the same time? Seriously, I think that’s why many of us love Elizabeth - because we have loved Tina for years and know Elizabeth has the same grit, intelligence, survival sense, and soul. And remember this: Tina survived, Ike didn’t. Can we one day say that “Elizabeth survived, Orange Monster didn’t”? I just want to thank Tina for everything she’s given women all over the world. She is a model of everything we all aspire to. Love you, Tina, and thanks for it all!
44
@Citizen of the Earth, yes, Ms. Turner certainly persisted. May we be calling EW Mrs. President before too long.
4
Tina Turner - Superstar! Your performances have always touched me to the core of my being. Thank you, thank you!
You deserve the best of everything! Forever your grateful fan.
25
Hi Tina! Love your music. You like Coldplay, so perhaps collaborate on a single with them and see what Tina sounds like over Coldplay arrangement — I’m intrigued.
11
I love her.
I saw her live, back in the '80s. She delivered a powerful show.
Her life story is compelling. She is a huge talent, suffused with integrity.
Proud Mary, indeed. :)
36
I grew up in the 60s and have seen more live musical acts than I can remember. Elton John, Janis Joplin, Ten Years After, Bruce Springstein, on and on. For years I saw almost every band that came within the vicinity of my town. But in the 80s I finally got to see the TT revue; just she, her backup singers and a great band.
I Have Never seen any performance more exciting, mind blowing, animalistic, sexy and professional than this woman and her entourage. I was so lucky to have experienced her talent. A true star.
117
Why she got be animalistic? Why can’t she just be a dynamic diva. She’s a queen that’s horrible to say to even put the word animal on the same sentence.
5
How marvelous that Tina's knight in shining armor has remained by her side, not only showering her with love and affection but also helping buffer - - and shed - - the weight and pain of her traumatic past.
BRAVO, Mr. Bach! Wishing both you and Tina much happiness and good health!
347
How many times have I heard this, "In my next life I'm coming back as Tina Turner!" What a woman, what a dancer, what a star! Anna Mae has seen it all, and has survived with grace and elegance. Brava, Tina!
26
I remember when Ike and Tina Turner were the opening act for the Rolling Stones. There are photos of her and Mick Jagger back stage and Tina was showing Mick her dance moves. Even Mick Jagger wanted to imitate Tina Turner.
197
The closeup is one of the best pics of Tina and one of the best pics I've seen in a long time. She sees me.
30
Fantastic profile of Tina Turner. Loved reading this, in contrast to the profile of Madonna (by another writer) a few months ago, which I hated.
18
I first saw Tina "back in the day" when she was still part of the Ike and Tina Turner Review at the Beacon Theater in NYC in the 70s. It was Tina I wanted to see, and her fierceness as a strong woman personified. (I never saw her as a back up to Ike or strictly for the sex appeal. SHE was of the strong woman archetype I held close). Fast forward to the late 90s and saw her again in Miami and nothing changed, but she got better on her own. OWNED the stage. So glad her life turned out well, and she found a mate who respects her and loves her for who she is. Blessings to you Ms Turner!
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There is not another singer in the world that I have more respect and love for that Tina Turner. Her name, is the very definition of life, struggles, work, abuse, triumphs, stardom, and successes. What she has given during her lifetime is more than the world deserves.
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Very interesting read and amazing photos of Miss Tina! Thanks!
24
Tina!! Her voice! Her amped performances! I remember watching a VHS recording of her concerts as a child and just being blown away!
20
One of my favorites of all times, and this admirer of Tina Turner was thinking of her earlier this week last. 'What's Love Got to Do with It', on the screen which a friend and I watched, had us in tears years ago.
Not all of us want to live in castles, but the Chateau Algonquin sounds just right for her high energy with plenty of space and light. It just goes to show that sometimes it is your house that comes searching for you.
And while Tina Turner is a golden nightingale, one that has achieved immortality in the realm of music-makers, she is now free to enjoy life and gives some of us a renewal of joie de vivre.
Here's to Bach, and welcome back, for your voice has been missed, and let us be forgiving to Scorpios says this widow of one. A lot in life depends on luck in such matters of the heart.
As The Ancient Egyptian Book of The Dead ventures, a bible of theirs, Go forth in the Day, and should Ms. Turner revisit New York one of these days, my elderly brother a contributor to the above, will translate the mysterious hieroglyphs found on on the tombs of some pharaohs at The Metropolitan Museum.
With appreciation for a fine update from Amanda Hess, and the sun has risen at early dawn while Vampire, a Mao from Cairo, also enjoyed listening to what Tina Turner has to say, while resting under the shadow of The Great Pyramid.
14
I bought my first LP in June, 1964 in Far Rockaway, NY: "Mr. Maestro's 20 Original Golden Oldies, Vol. 2." It features "A Fool in Love," by the Ike and Tina Turner Review. It was her first hit record. As soon as I heard Tina's wailing voice, I was hooked for life.
I still have that record. And, thank goodness, we still have Tina.
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Tina is a strong woman but she is always contradicting herself. Just last year she told the Sunday Times that she forgives Ike and got emotional talking about him. In her first book she said she fell in love with him. Now it's "he's dead" and she laughs, I hope that was reported incorrectly for the sake of her children. Ike has been deceased for over a decade but they share living kin. Interesting there is no mention of any of her four sons, grandchildren or great-grandchildren in the article. Her eldest son Craig (fathered by a musician named Raymond Hill) committed suicide last summer. Tina seems very distant from her children. RIP Craig
18
@Lily All of us can and do contradict ourselves, especially about people who are central to our lives but whose behavior has damaged us. I'm certain she did fall in love with him, and that she has forgiven him as much as is spiritually possible. Children who are abused love their parents and tend to remain conflicted about them their entire lives. It is impossible to know what Tina's relationships with her children are like, what history they might have, and it's a mistake to believe that we know and understand the lived experience of another unless they share their lives with us themselves.
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@Lily A woman defines herself, daily, weekly, annually. A woman's biology does not always dictate who and what she is or what she stands for in her life. Anna Mae Bullock is real; her life is hers. Any attempts to box her in or suppress her persona according to other norms will fail. Would that every woman could have her insight, energy, success. Tina Turner is brilliant. And, OBTW, would you have described any male artist in your terms, using family history as descriptors?
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@Lily But, Lily, that’s one of the characteristics of abuse victims - inconsistency, mixed emotions (strong ones). She typifies it all. That’s part of what makes her so great - she’s honest about it.
35
Lucky New Yorkers - they can go to the theaters and relive Tina Turner! Nice.
22
Heard “We Don’t Need Another Hero” on the radio the other day and wondered how Tina is doing. She deserves every good thing that has come to her.
275
Love, love, love you, Tina! Always have, always will. Love you even more, after reading this. I'm SO glad you confessed to not necessarily wanting to be strong 24/7. Me, too (no pun intended). God bless.
79
An American (now Swiss) treasure! Resilience personified!
58
She's always been a source of inspiration. So strong in every way. Thank you for this article, I had lost track of her.
78
Remarkable woman, simply the best!
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Ironically, Buddhism is lucky to have Tina Turner among its practitioners. I am very glad she is part of my lifetime. Thanks for this excellent article and letting her fans know Tina Turner is doing well.
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@Jenny: Always intrigued by the American (or in this case Swiss) interpretation of Buddhism. Seems to conveniently leave that icky part about self sacrifice out.
3
@TDW - After Tina Turner self-emancipated herself from Ike Turner, she spent years making a living and recovering from abuse (for which she praises Buddhism). She raised children, did menial labor as necessary, and worked very hard in her chosen profession. It is amazing how much material success she achieved in the last 30 years, but it came on the heels of well-documented hard-scrabble times. I am under the impression her graciousness is only exceeded by her gratitude and have heard people who worked with her comment on how excellently she has treated others because of her empathy.
32
@TDW
How do you know what she has (or hasn’t) sacrificed? Even after the terrifying years of living with Ike, does anyone, other than Tina herself, know what she sacrifices, even today? Other than possibly Bach, no one, neither you, nor I, have a clue.
16
Jones beach summer of 1991 I was lucky to see this legend perform. Tina is the greatest. After all these years I still remember clearly that amazing show.
49
@SONTH
I was fortunate enough to see at Radio City a year or two after you saw her and yes, can also still remember so much of it clearly. Incredible show - incredible woman!
14
“This came.” Sounds magical. I suspect Tina you made it come. Lovely story. Always loved seeing Tina Turner perform, she’s spectacular.
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