It's been three years since Tina Turner came out of retirement to play a farewell tour, and whether that will be a one-off series of gigs or (hopefully) lead to another Tina return remains to be seen. And despite the fact that she turns an amazing 72 today, it's best not to underestimate her powers of revival. After all, she's reinvented herself before, and the fact that she's now among rock's elders shouldn't preclude her from doing it again. As anyone who's seen her will attest, Tina's dazzling performances and, well, those legs that power her could easily put those half her age to shame.
Born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Nutbush, Tennessee (the
town that would eventually become the namesake for one of her biggest
early hits), Tina overcame a difficult childhood and went on to become
one of rock's most indelible icons. Her marriage and professional
partnership with late blues singer and guitarist Ike Turner
(credited by many as one of those who helped R&B successfully segue
into rock 'n' roll courtesy of his song "Rocket 88") gave her a
memorable first incarnation courtesy of the many hits that would propel
the duo toward musical immortality -- "Nutbush City Limits," a remake of
John Fogerty's "Proud Mary," and, most notably, "River Deep, Mountain
High," produced by the legendary Phil Spector. The group toured
consistently, playing both massive stadium gigs alongside the likes of
the Rolling Stones to crappy nightclubs for all-black audiences, and yet
the fervor and frenzy of their stage show made them one of the most
dynamic working bands of the '60s and early '70s.
In the midst of that success, Ike's violent behavior toward his wife became increasingly more volatile. Tina attempted an overdose in 1968 and finally walked out on him after he beat her viciously prior to a gig in Dallas in 1976. Two years later, they divorced. During this time, she converted to Buddhism, which, she said, helped her cope with this tumultuous time.
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