"So talented," tributes to Tina Turner pour in

Singer Tina Turner, "the queen of rock 'n roll", died "peacefully" Wednesday at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home near Zurich, her agent announced.

Singer Tina Turner has died at the age of 83. © Christian Charisius / AFP

Text by: RFI Follow

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The one who claimed not to be afraid of aging, told the Guardian in April that she hoped to be remembered as the "queen of rock 'n roll". A bet largely won, as this nickname comes back in the many tributes.

Magic Johnson, one of the best basketball players in history, for example, was moved by the loss of the "legendary queen of rock". Mick Jagger, lead singer of the Rolling Stones, shared his sadness at the passing of his "wonderful friend". An artist "so talented", but also "warm, funny and generous", he said. The band's guitarist, Ronnie Wood, also lamented the loss of the "queen of rock and soul", a "dear friend of our family".

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The terms 'legendary', 'icon', 'diva', and 'superstar' are often misused, yet Tina Turner embodies them all and so many others," said Mariah Carey, further highlighting her talent on stage and her role as a "pioneer". Another superstar of the song, Gloria Gaynor, recalled that Tina Turner had "paved the way for so many women in rock, whether black or white".

► Read also Disappearance of Tina Turner, the fighter...

The Beninese singer Angélique Kidjo recalls, on RFI, also the humble side of the American superstar. "I did a song with her [Easy as Life] or I did the backing vocals and she talks about it in an interview. It touches me enormously. It's crazy, this humility that she has. It's a slap that we all have to take by saying to be big, we have to be small at the same time. Malian singer Salif Keita simply expresses his admiration by tweet with some photos.

Queen of Rock 🙏🏼 Tina Turner pic.twitter.com/QyE1yUEgJY

— Salif Keita (@SalifKeita) May 25, 2023

Tribute from the Swiss and American Presidents

The emotion is shared up to the top of the state in both the United States and Switzerland. President Joe Biden hailed in a statement "the only woman to win in the pop, rock, and RnB categories" at the Grammy Awards, "a sign of her versatility, creativity, and vast popularity" with different audiences. For the President of the Swiss Confederation Alain Berset, "with the death of Tina Turner, the world has lost an icon". "My thoughts are with the loved ones of this impressive woman who had found a second home in Switzerland," he added in a tweet.

Mit Tina Turners Tod hat die Welt eine Ikone verloren. Ihre Songs und die vielen Erinnerungen, die damit verbunden sind, werden bleiben. Meine Gedanken sind bei den Angehörigen dieser beeindruckenden Frau, die in der Schweiz eine zweite Heimat gefunden hat. #tinaturner pic.twitter.com/H5Mha3Nc2F

— Alain Berset (@alain_berset) May 24, 2023

Former US President Barack Obama also paid tribute to him: "Tina Turner was a brute. She was powerful. She was unstoppable. »

Fans gathered Wednesday night outside the singer's home in Küsnacht, near Zurich, and laid flowers and candles to pay their respects. Bouquets and a wreath of flowers were also laid on her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in California.

►Also listen: Tropical Colors - Tribute to Tina Turner with the Family and our guest Anna Cuomo

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