We’ve got a preliminary report that Tina Turner passed away in her home in Switzerland after a long illness.
The BBC has an article on her passing; it looks like she’d had serious health issues for several years.
She was an icon, and an amazing performer.
It was a good and full life and I’m so, so happy she outlived that shithead Ike for so many years.
Damn, she paid her dues and lived to tell the tale and come out on top while enjoying a long retirement. A life well lived. RIP Tina.
Well, what’s life got to do with it?
Oh no. 
She had a hell of a run and for a brief shining moment she was the one who ran Bartertown.
I’m so glad she had her own stardom in the 80s. As a kid I had no idea who Ike Turner was, and am glad. She was completely capable of being Queen on her own. What a strong, marvelous woman.
Sad to hear this. She was a fantastic singer and performer.
Interesting trivia about The Ikettes: they were the backup singers on Frank Zappa’s album Over-Nite Sensation. Zappa was told he was not allowed to pay The Ikettes more than $25 per song, no matter how long it took to record it. Zappa thought this was wrong, and (secretly) paid them $25/hour. (That’s still a low amount, but was higher than $25 per song.)
RIP Tina.
Got to see her in 93’ at Milwaukee Summerfest the same year the What’s Love Got to Do With It movie came out. Still one of the best concerts I’ve ever seen.
Nice callback!
What a life! What a talent! She personified the adage that the best revenge is a life well-lived. Walking out on an abuser with just the clothes on her back, and knowing that she WAS the talent in that group, regardless of her husband’s assholery took a lot of guts. God, the energy of the woman on stage was just phenomenal.
When I was in grad school, in '87 or '88, I had a poster on my apartment wall from the Prince’s Trust All-Star Concert that was held in 1986. The poster featured the photo below – there’s a tremendous amount of musical talent in that photo, but it’s clear who’s the “queen” there.
As a child of the 80s, I tend to think of her as an 80s singer. I know it’s not true, but the first songs that pop into my head are her 80s hits. Stevie Wonder occupies a similar space in my head. I know he’s got hits from before the 70s, but I think of the 80s songs first.
The Ike & Turner Revue was one of the most exciting acts of the 1960s. Tina was the star but the whole group was phenomenal. So much energy, yet one of the tightest groups working at the time. It’s a shame Ike was such a monster, because that was one hell of a combo.
Oh man, this shakes me like no other celebrity death since Aretha’s and Bowie’s. I just saw a recent documentary about her and once more was reminded of what a great singer, performer and human being she was. It’s a miracle that she escaped the abuse, almost slavery, from Ike and became a megastar worldwide, a story only showbiz can write. I’m so glad she found her late luck in life with her last husband, who even donated a kidney to her. That must be true love. And if you think she was a star in America, look to Europe, where she was an 80s superstar on par with Michael Jackson, Prince or Phil Collins. RIP, Tina.
It kinda was true though. As much success as she had had before, the “Private Dancer” album was her zenith. Just huge. “Foreign Affair” in 1989 was a huge success as well.
Given her age not entirely unexpected. I’m glad she had a long, full life and I’m glad we will have her music to remember her by. May she rest in peace.
Yes, her health was not good in the last ten or fifteen years or so. That’s why she really retired after her (second or third) farewell tour. I’ve seen one of her last shows on TV, and she still was as great and energetic as ever.
I have the album Private Dancer. Tina did a fantastic job. Its more commercial (by design) than her other albums. Great ballads.
I had associated Ike’s death (2007) with Tina. I thought she died ten years ago. I’m glad Tina had more time to enjoy retirement and the appreciation of her fans.
Her life is remembered in the play The Tina Turner Musical. I’d love to see it someday.
RIP