Her impact on music and culture will be treasured forever
BY KRYSTA MCKENZIE, IMAGE BY WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Tina Turner was born on 26 November, 1939 in Tennessee. Throughout her life, she was forced to endure a lot of pain, but she was able to build a successful music career for herself and by the time she retired, she was widely celebrated as the queen of rock. Later in her life, she moved to Switzerland where she spent the rest of her life in a beautiful Swiss estate with her “one true husband”, Erwin Bach. In 2018, she received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and in 2021, Tina, an intimate documentary about Tina’s life was released, and she was able to tell her own story.
The rock ‘n’ roll legend has always been a queer icon, and throughout her career she used her voice and strength to stand up for the LGBTQIA community. In 1982, Tina led the opening ceremony at the Gay Gomes, hosted in San Francisco. Many other artists at the time wouldn’t. The games marked a pivotal new era for LGBTQIA athletes and Tina was there to show her allyship.
In 2000, which being interviewed by queer publication The Advocate, Tina advocated for LGBTQIA rights once again, voicing her thoughts on the “wonderful thing” that was same-sex marriage. While it’s no longer a rarity for celebrities to lend their support to LGBTQIA rights, Tina spoke out on this matter 13 years before gay marriage was legalised in the UK and 15 years before it was recognised in the US. This is just another way that the icon and legend was always ahead of the game.
Just two days ago, on 24 May, news was announced about the legendary singer’s death, and the millions of people that she inspired have been writing about the impact she had on their lives.
Here are some of the tributes that have been shared…
Tina. I owe you so much. You are the true epitome of a rockstar that gave your all this lifetime. You inspire me to give mine. You taught us lessons and what true transformative power through honesty and vulnerability look like. you pushed the limits of who we could be and how… pic.twitter.com/YRHeu6GCN4
— Janelle Monáe👽🚆🤖🚀🪐 (@JanelleMonae) May 24, 2023
Tina. You changed my life and lit up the hearts of everyone who was lucky to be in your presence. I love you. You will forever be missed. #TinaTurner pic.twitter.com/VHKehrziwR
— Gloria Reuben (@Glo_Reuben) May 25, 2023
Angela Bassett, who portrayed Tina in the 1993 film What’s Love Got To Do With It, wrote about the singer’s last words to her in this heartfelt Instagram post.
We send our deepest condolences to all mourning the death of Tina Turner. She was, indeed, a beautiful soul.
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