The Biography Channel - Tina Turner Biography

The age-defying star prepares to perform hits from her four decades in the business. Will nerves affect the seasoned performer or is it all Gonna Work Out Fine?

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Tina Turner
born: 26-11-1939
birth place: Nutbush (now Brownsville), Tennessee

Whilst Tina had made a number of documentaries since the mid-1960s, as well as one film, “Taking Off” (1971), it was her show-stopping role as the Acid Queen in the Who’s film, “Tommy” (1975), that really gave her the courage to strike out on her own. Fighting her way through debt and disinterest, Tina met young Australian manager, Roger Davies, who was to help her get back in touch with her raunchiness and intuitive soulfulness, in preparation for her solo comeback. She hasn’t looked back since.

For the next decade, Tina recorded only occasionally, releasing her album “Acid Queen” in 1975 and following that with a cameo role in the film “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1978). Two more albums followed, “Rough” (1978) and “Love Explosion” (1979).

In 1982, Tina won a solo deal with Capitol Records. They released the album “Private Dancer” in 1984 and by that summer, world sales reached 11 million. Tina had truly reached the big time, on her own. The “Private Dancer” (1984) album had no less than three top ten singles: ‘Private Dancer’, ‘Better Be Good To Me’, and the massive ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It?’, which spent three weeks at number one on the charts. This single was later winner of a Grammy award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (February 1985); joint winner, with Terry Britten, of Grammy award for Record Of The Year (February 1985); covered by rapper Warren G, along with Adina Howard, for the “Supercop” (1995) soundtrack; and sampled by Rapper Fat Joe to use in his hit single ‘What’s Luv?’ (2001), featuring Ashanti.

Following this resounding success, a year later, Tina played the role of Aunty Entity in “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome” (1985) with Mel Gibson, scoring a number two hit with the movie’s theme song ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’. ‘Typical Male’ (1986) and ‘Simply the Best’ (1991) were memorable singles before Tina once again turned her talents to acting, in “The Last Action Hero” (1993).

Tina continued to produce albums and enjoy record-breaking concerts around the world. Rolling Stone magazine voted her 61st Greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll Artist of all time. In 1991, she was inducted into the St. Louis Walk of Fame, as well as the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. On 7 October 1999, she received the Lifetime Achievement prize at the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards held at the Royal Albert Hall, London. Amongst her fans are David Bowie, Eric Clapton, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams, and Mark Knopfler. In 2002, she was ranked number six on VH1’s Sexiest Artists and number two on their Greatest Women of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Tina’s achievements on record, on screen, and as an author are extensive. With more than fifty years in the music business, she is one of most commercially successful female rock stars to date. She had become a legend in her own time, with her powerful voice – sometimes gritty, sometimes sultry, always attention-grabbing, her incredible legs, her huge hair, and her time-tested beauty, she makes an unforgettable story of a very special lady.

Tina has been living with her partner, record executive Erwin Bach, since 1986 and they’ve been resident in Zurich, Switzerland, since 1994.

Carey Latimore