Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock; November 26, 1939) is an American-born Swiss singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. Turner rose to prominence as part of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue before launching a successful career as a solo performer. Turner is noted for her energetic stage presence, powerful vocals, and career longevity. She has been referred to as The Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Turner began her recording career as a featured singer with Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm, under the name “Little Ann” on “Boxtop” (1958). Her introduction to the public as Tina Turner began with the hit single “A Fool in Love” (1960) by Ike & Tina Turner. She married Ike Turner in 1962. The duo released notable hits such as “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine” (1961), “River Deep – Mountain High” (1966), the Grammy-winning “Proud Mary” (1971), and “Nutbush City Limits” (1973). Raised a Baptist, she became an adherent of Nichiren Buddhism in 1973, crediting the spiritual chant of Nam Myoho Renge Kyo with helping her to endure during difficult times. The couple separated in 1976, ending both their personal and their musical partnership; they divorced in 1978. In her autobiography, I, Tina: My Life Story (1986), Turner revealed that she had been subjected to domestic violence.
In the 1980s, Turner launched a major comeback as a solo artist. The 1983 single “Let’s Stay Together” was followed by the release of her fifth solo album, Private Dancer (1984), which became a worldwide success. The album contained the hit song “What’s Love Got to Do with It” (1984), which won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year, and it became her first (and only) No. 1 hit in the United States. Turner’s success continued with notable hits such as “Better Be Good to Me” (1984), “Private Dancer” (1984), “We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome)” (1985), “Typical Male” (1986), “The Best” (1989), “I Don’t Wanna Fight” (1993), and “GoldenEye” (1995). In 1988, she set a then-record for the largest paying audience (180,000) for a solo performer. Her final Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour is one of the highest-grossing tours of all time. In 1993, What’s Love Got to Do with It, a biographical film adapted from Turner’s autobiography, was released along with an accompanying soundtrack album. Turner also acted in the films Tommy (1975), Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985), and Last Action Hero (1993).
Turner has won 12 Grammy Awards; which include eight competitive awards, three Grammy Hall of Fame awards, and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Having sold over 100 million records, she is one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. Rolling Stone ranked her among the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time and the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time. Turner has her own stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the St. Louis Walk of Fame. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Ike Turner in 1991, and is a 2005 recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors.
