Tina Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939 in Nutbush, Tennessee. Her parents were Zelma Priscilla and Floyd Richard Bullock. She was raised in a small farming town in Tennessee along with her sister Alline.
From a young age, Tina showed interest in music and singing at the local church choir. At 16, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri where she began pursuing a career in music.
First Break with Ike Turner
In St. Louis, Tina began hanging out at nightclubs with her sister. That’s where she first saw blues musician Ike Turner perform. Soon after, she asked Ike if she could sing a song with his band for one night. Ike was impressed with her voice and unique stage persona and invited her to join his group, the Kings of Rhythm.
Initially performing under the stage name “Little Ann”, Tina later changed it to Tina Turner. She soon became a featured vocalist in Ike’s band, recording what would become their first hit, “A Fool in Love”, released in 1960 when Tina was 22 years old.
Over the next few years, Ike and Tina’s fame grew beyond St. Louis as they toured together and released hit songs like “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine” and “Poor Fool”. In 1962, they got married in Mexico. Musically, their biggest success was their high-energy revue shows.
Highlights
- Born in 1939 in Tennessee
- Began singing in church choir as a child
- Met musician Ike Turner at a nightclub in St. Louis and joined his band
- Breakout hit “A Fool in Love” in 1960 launched her music career
- Married Ike in 1962 as musical duo gained national fame
Years of Abuse and Going Solo
Although they seemed successfull professionally, Tina’s marriage with Ike was tumultuous from the start. Tina alleged that Ike was physically and verbally abusive towards her for many years.
In her autobiography, Tina revealed shocking details about Ike’s violent behavior and assaults against her. In 1976, she finally worked up the courage to leave Ike following an altercation. At this point, her career seemed to be over without Ike.
| Year | Key Events |
|---|---|
| 1976 | Left Ike after years of alleged abuse |
| 1978 | Struggled financially after divorce |
| 1983 | Massively successful comeback with release of Let’s Stay Together album |
| 1984 | Wins 3 Grammy awards |
However, Tina worked hard to rebuild her career. Though she initially had to rely on food stamps, she completed a comeback tour in 1983. Her fifth solo album, Private Dancer, became a massive success with top songs like “What’s Love Got To Do With It.”
The album ended up selling over 10 million copies worldwide. Tina’s resilient triumph against adversity made her story all the more inspiring. She soon established herself as a viable solo star.
Most Notable Achievements
Some of Tina’s notable achievements and accolades over her decades-long career include:
- Over 200 million albums sold globally – One of the top-selling recording artists ever
- 8 Grammy Awards – Multiple wins including Record of the Year for “What’s Love Got To Do With It” in 1984
- Named on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists list – Ranked #80 reflecting her immense musical impact
- Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1991) – Recognized just a few years after her 1980s comeback
- Recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors (2005) – Awarded for her lifetime contributions to American culture
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2018) – Special honor for her extraordinary career
Later Life and Retirement
Even in her later years, Tina continued finding success in music and performing around the world. She performed with other artists like Beyonce and had an extremely popular 50th anniversary tour from 2008-2009.
She ultimately decided to retire from touring after completing her final concert series titled “Tina – The Tour” from 2018-2019 at age 79.
Her farewell tour was seen by over 800,000 fans globally and capped off her unparalleled resilience and determination over 60 years in the spotlight. Tina has cemented her legacy as “The Queen of Rock and Roll.”
In 2021, Tina’s life was popularized for younger generations with the release of a biographical film titled Tina.
Current Life Facts
- Resides primarily in Switzerland on Lake Zurich
- Married German music executive Erwin Bach in 2013
- Worth estimated $250 million from her decades of fame
- At age 83, lives a quieter life while remaining musically active in the studio
Tina Turner has endured many hardships in her life journey from rural Tennessee to global stardom. But through determination and courage, her musical gifts continue inspiring fans around the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Tina Turner’s six-decade career as the “Queen of Rock and Roll” is one of the greatest comeback stories ever. Born into humble beginnings in Tennessee, Tina’s immense vocal talents led her to early musical success with her first husband Ike Turner.
However, their marriage was filled with alleged abuse that Tina courageously walked away from in her mid-30s at the risk of having no career. After struggling through hard years rebuilding herself professionally, Tina burst back onto the global stage in the 1980s as a solo superstar against all odds.
With resilience fueled by inspiring songs about overcoming adversity like “What’s Love Got To Do With It”, Tina’s legacy only grew larger in her later years through record-breaking tours and accolades celebrating her legendary status.
Though now retired from touring in her 80s, Tina Turner has solidified her place in music history through once-in-a-generation talent combined with the strength to triumph over unimaginable hardship. After growing up picking cotton fields in Nutbush Tennessee, Tina became music royalty through sheer perseverance and determination.
Her unlikely path traversing heartbreak and redemption continues inspiring fans from all walks of life to face their struggles and keep chasing their dreams. Tina Turner represents the power of the human spirit rising above to achieve unparalleled greatness.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tina Turner
Here some common questions people have about the life story of Tina Turner:
How old was Tina Turner when she got married to Ike Turner?
Tina Turner was 22 years old when she married Ike Turner in 1962 in Mexico. Ike was her musical partner and already gained some fame together performing as Ike & Tina Turner.
Why did Tina Turner leave Ike?
After enduring years of alleged physical and emotional abuse, Tina finally found the courage to leave her husband Ike Turner in 1976 while they were on tour. An altercation before a concert was her breaking point to walk away.
How did Tina Turner rebuild her career after leaving Ike?
Though the first few years were extremely difficult financially following her divorce, Tina worked hard to re-establish herself as a solo artist in the early 1980s. Her fifth album Private Dancer became a major global success in 1984, including hits like “What’s Love Got to Do with It.”
What is Tina Turner best known for?
Tina Turner’s powerful vocals and high-energy stage persona makes her one of the most iconic live performers ever. She is best known for her 1980s comeback culminating in top hits like “What’s Love Got To Do With It”, along with earlier hits like “River Deep – Mountain High” with her former husband Ike Turner.
Why did Tina Turner retire from touring?
After completing her 50th anniversary tour in 2009 and a final worldwide tour “Tina – The Tour” in 2019 at age 79, Tina Turner decided to step away from relentless globetrotting that had defined much of her life. She chose to retire from touring to spend more time with her family and finally relax out of the public eye after over 60 years giving electrifying performances.