Celebrities and fans have paid tribute to Tina Turner, the 83-year-old behind hits such as The Beast and What’s Love Got To Do With It.
Beyoncé called her “an epitome of passion and strength”, and joined Sir Mick Jagger and other stars in paying tribute to Turner’s musical legacy.
The late actor was also praised by Mariah Carey and Oprah Winfrey for overcoming domestic abuse over the years.
Obama praised her for “singing her truth through joy and pain.”
She was joined by current US President Joe Biden, who noted that Turner had started life as a farmer’s daughter and hailed her “once-in-a-generation talent”.
The singer, whose death was announced in Switzerland on Wednesday, had suffered from a number of health problems in recent years.
Born in Tennessee and raised in the church, Turner made his way primarily in rock and roll and rose to fame in the 1960s.
When Ike Turner refused to give her an audition, she waited for a break in his show, grabbed the drummer’s microphone and let rip.
She sang with the band for the rest of the night, and soon earned equal billing with Ike himself – later marrying his co-star.
They were one of the most watchable, fiery bands on the soul circuit. Many of his hits were covers of other people’s material.
Proud Mary, Get Back, Whole Lotta Love: Whatever the material, Tina can make it her own. The same was true of the song that became his signature hit in the 1980s, What’s Love Got To Do With It.
American singer Gloria Gaynor, who rose to fame at the same time, said that Turner “paved the way for many women in black and white, rock music”.
Another contemporary, Diana Ross, said she was “shocked” and “saddened” by Turner’s death.
Sir Mick Jagger described the star as “hugely talented”, citing the fact that he “helped me a lot when I was young”.
Another British music star, Sir Elton John, described Turner as “an absolute legend on record and on stage”.
Turner found her greatest success as a solo artist with hits including Let’s Stay Together, Steamy Windows, Private Dancer and the James Bond theme Golden Eye.
This chart victory came after her divorce from Ike in 1978. A number of Wednesday night’s tributes cited her escape from her husband’s abuse.
The charity Women’s Aid was among those who quoted one of Turner’s songs, saying: “She’ll always be the best.”
TV presenter Oprah Winfrey referred to Turner’s “courage”, adding: “His life became a clarion call for victory.”
In one of her impact messages, singer Mariah Carey called Turner not only an “incredible performer” but also “a survivor and an inspiration to women everywhere.”
Singer PP Arnold – who performed with Turner – told JEE News that the two women’s relationship “changed my life” and saved her from an underage marriage.
Many other musicians, including Janelle Monae, Blondie’s Debbie Harry and Sir Tom Jones, have praised the late’s achievements.
Dubbed the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll, Turner had a voice like a hurricane and a stage presence to match.
His live videos record him as a perpetual motion machine, a dynamo, a volcano that is constantly erupting.
He won eight Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist in 2021, having previously been inducted with Ike.
His illustrious career saw him in films as well.
