MUSIC

Disappearance: Tina Turner, the fighter...

Tina Turner died on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at the age of 83. A true singing star, rock 'n' roll icon, the American enjoyed worldwide fame. Revealed by her first husband Ike Turner in the United States in the 1960s, victim of domestic violence, she freed herself from her partner in the mid-1970s. She then began an exceptional solo career, crowned with success with world-famous titles such as What's Love Got To Do With It or The Best.

Tina Turner in 2009 in the Netherlands. Getty Images

Text by: Joe Farmer Follow

Advertising

Read more

Beyond her immense success, her constant notoriety and her undeniable talent, Tina Turner has been, in the eyes of the general public, this courageous woman that a mistreated destiny will have finally led to the heights of glory and fame.

« 

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and boundless passion for life, she has enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today, we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us her greatest work: her music. All our compassion goes out to his family. Tina, we will miss you very much," said the statement published on the artist's Facebook page on Wednesday, May 24.

From her earliest childhood, the beginnings of a tumultuous life seem to decide the fate of little Anna Mae Bullock. She was born on November 26, 1939 in Nutbush, a rural town in Tennessee, where fiercely segregated reigns. The African-American community was, at that time, the prey of daily abuses that suffered no challenge. It is in this social universe where humiliation and intimidation are sadly the norm that the black southern population exploited in the cotton fields struggles. This painful precariousness will often destroy the stability of the poorest families, and children will often be the innocent victims of inevitable parental procrastination.

The young Anna Mae and her two sisters will therefore be bringuebalés from city to city, with an aunt or a grandparent, for lack of an education balanced by the affection of a father and a mother. From this chaotic youth, the future Tina Turner will eventually acquire a strength of character that will distinguish her from her contemporaries.

Ike Turner, a decisive meeting

As a kid, her strong voice already sparkled in the choir of Spring Hill Baptist Church in Nutbush but it was at the age of 17 that her vocal qualities were revealed when she performed for the first time at the Manhattan Club in St. Louis. It will be the beginning of a poignant human adventure and a flamboyant artistic ascent. That day, she met a certain Ike Turner, guitarist and conductor of the Kings of Rhythm, who noticed her in the audience. They then press the passion of the young lady and invite her to join him on stage and take the microphone. Surprised by the range and aplomb of his new recruit, he finally offers to record a song called Box Top. We are in 1958, Anne Mae is not yet Tina but this first attempt at recording gives ideas to her chaperone. Two years later, Ike Turner wrote A Fool in Love, a melody composed for singer Art Lassiter whose absence, on the day of

the recording, will benefit the new backing vocalist of the group, Anna Mae Bullock. She replaces him at short notice and delivers a performance that delights Ike Turner. The 45T is sent to local radio stations who broadcast it enthusiastically. It's time to give more space to this amazing singer who is naively lulled by the promises of her new pygmalion. He gives her a name, Tina, and directs her with a grip. Ike Turner is then a respected musician, author of some honorable classics including Rocket 88, performed in 1951 by Jackie Brenston, and today considered the very first echo of rock'n'roll fledgling.

An abusive relationship

Thus, until the mid-60s, Tina was not suspicious of Ike. He is, admittedly, an excessive being, but the success of their association tempers his doubts and questions. She does not yet imagine that her personal aura will end up upsetting her egocentric young husband. It is the American producer, Phil Spector, who will indirectly ignite the powder. Fascinated by the presence and voice of Tina Turner, he offers her to record alone the title River Deep, Mountain High. This invitation is an affront to Ike Turner who considers that he has entirely shaped the image, know-how and vocal mastery of his sweetheart. If there is truth in his words then, his increasingly oppressive attitude ruins his desire to keep with him the young woman he did not see or wanted to see grow up. Entangled in a consumption of illicit and very stripping substances, Ike Turner can no longer contain his rage to see Tina gradually steal the show. Despite the undeniable stage and recording success, the duo is violently torn apart. Tina Turner tries to escape the grip of a husband who has become uncontrollable but after 14 years of marriage and almost 20 years of stormy collaboration with a composer as brilliant as unpredictable, she resolves, with fear in her stomach, to leave this unfrequentable man and renounces, in fact, the media exposure that their union had allowed.

An exceptional solo career

In 1976, she finally found the strength to get out of this physical and psychological prison thanks to her practice of Buddhism and the support of some faithful friends. You have to start from scratch, reinvent everything, start all over again, with the only asset of her artist name: Tina Turner! At the dawn of the 80s, disco is king. How to bounce back on this musical fashion when we have evolved for so long in Soul-Music and Rhythm & Blues rooted in the African-American southern soil? Once again free but totally destitute, Tina Turner will draw from her the boldness of the young Anna Mae Bullock who knew how to brave obstacles, in Nutbush, 30 years earlier. She takes the bull by the horns and tours cabarets in the hope of conquering a new audience. This attempt failed. Glitter and drum machines do not suit this determined woman now in her forties who is looking for a direction.

For many months, Tina Turner struggled to find the solution to her setbacks. While performing in February 1980 in a luxury hotel in San Francisco, the manager of the singer and actress, Olivia Newton Jones, noticed her and held out his hand. Roger Davies quickly perceives that the flame has flickered, but has never been extinguished. Tina Turner has ambition and imagines herself on the same stages as the Rolling Stones. She wants to address a wide audience, the audience of rock concerts. For this, it is necessary to remodel its appearance and repertoire. She agreed to give a concert at the Ritz in New York to capture attention and try to shine. The singer Rod Stewart is present that night in the club and is intoxicated by the expressive strength of this valiant woman in search of recognition to the point of offering her a duet. Tina Turner can only accept this generous offer that instantly puts her in the spotlight. The small world of American show business suddenly rustles and seems attracted again by this withered diamond waiting for the light. Mick Jagger, Diana Ross, David Bowie, among others, want to listen to this voice that suddenly springs up and realize that their own notoriety can serve the return to grace of the insatiable Tina Turner.

Tina Turner subscribed to the charts

Some decision-makers at Capitol Records get wind of the turmoil that accompanies these stage appearances and are convinced... In November 1983, Tina Turner released a 45T. It is an adaptation of an Al Green classic, Let's stay together. Success is at the rendezvous. The song entered the charts. Tina Turner has not given up and is pleased to finally sign a contract for three albums! Private Dancer will be the first stepping stone to deserved global stardom. In the space of 10 years, the planet will succumb to the rock accents of this soul voice. Concerts in major international arenas will multiply until reaching records like that of January 1988 at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro in front of 180,000 spectators! Tina Turner becomes a global star, her life as a rebellious fighter is brought to the screen, she is the host of the greats of this world and intensely enjoys this status of universal icon.

A Grammy Award for an entire career

The 2000s will be those of consecration. Honorary awards make her a legend of American popular music. Time has passed but Tina Turner revels in her fulfilling life. She received in January 2018 a Grammy Award for her entire career, she is 78 years old... A new personal drama and health problems will however taint this happy semi-retirement. His eldest son, Craig Raymond Turner, committed suicide on July 3, 2018. Tina Turner also reveals in her memoirs that she suffered a stroke in 2013, survived bowel cancer in 2016 and underwent a kidney transplant in 2017. Once again, his desire to live was stronger. While her fans and admirers mourn her today, it is the memory of a valiant, talented and joyfully sulphurous woman that imposes itself on us. "You're simply the best!" we might be tempted to shout, but had she really doubted it? Her faith in her art ultimately preserved her from the torments of life. She can thus legitimately enter into "The Epic of Black Music".

Newsletter Receive all the international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

Read on on the same topics:

• Music
• Culture
• United States