Tina Turner overcame impossible odds to become the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll. You surely know her for her powerful voice and incredible energy on stage. However, her life began picking cotton in rural Tennessee. She escaped a violent marriage with nothing but pennies in her pocket. Furthermore, she staged one of the greatest comebacks in music history in her forties. Her resilience continues to inspire millions. Let’s explore the life of a legend.
Tina Turner
Tina Turner actually picked cotton as a child in Nutbush, Tennessee. Consequently, she worked hard in the fields alongside her family to survive. This difficult childhood fueled her desire to escape her small hometown forever.
She had only 36 cents in her pocket when she finally left her abusive husband, Ike. Bravely, she ran across a busy highway to a hotel to escape him. The clerk gave her a room because he recognized her face.
She taught Mick Jagger how to dance backstage during a tour. Specifically, she showed the Rolling Stones singer her famous pony step. Therefore, many of his signature moves actually came directly from her.
Her husband, Erwin Bach, saved her life by donating his kidney to her. She suffered from kidney failure and considered assisted suicide. However, he stepped in to give her the organ she desperately needed.
She famously hated her biggest hit, “What’s Love Got to Do with It.” At first, she refused to record the song because she thought it was too pop. Fortunately, her manager convinced her to change the arrangement and make it her own.
Tina Turner officially renounced her American citizenship to become Swiss. She lived in a chateau in Switzerland for decades and loved the privacy there. Thus, she spent her final years as a citizen of her adopted country.
She holds the Guinness World Record for selling more concert tickets than any other solo performer. Impressively, she performed for 180,000 people in Rio de Janeiro alone. This proved she was a bigger draw than the Rolling Stones.
She became the oldest person to appear on the cover of Vogue magazine at age 73. Surprisingly, she looked just as stunning as models half her age. This milestone proved that beauty and style have no age limit.
Her hometown of Nutbush does not have any city limits, despite her song title. In reality, it is just a small unincorporated community. Nevertheless, “Nutbush City Limits” remains a classic anthem about her roots.
Producers had to build a special wig for her role in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome. They used blonde extensions and wire to create the wild, post-apocalyptic look. Consequently, the heavy wig weighed nearly as much as a helmet.
She practiced Buddhism for over forty years. She credited the chanting of “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo” with saving her life during her hardest times. Thus, spiritual practice gave her the mental strength to leave her abusive marriage.
She started her career under the name “Little Ann.” Ike Turner eventually changed her name to Tina without even asking her permission. He chose the name because it rhymed with Sheena, the Queen of the Jungle.
A local highway in Tennessee is named the “Tina Turner Highway” in her honor. State officials dedicated the stretch of road near her childhood home. Now, fans can drive down the same path she once dreamed of leaving.
She insured her famous legs for over three million dollars. Throughout her career, her energetic dancing and short dresses made her legs her trademark. Therefore, she protected her most valuable asset with a massive insurance policy.
She was the first woman and first black artist to feature on the cover of Rolling Stone. This happened in the magazine’s second issue in 1967. It marked a major cultural shift in the rock music world.
