Tina Turner

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Tina Turner BIO

After almost fifty years in the music business, Tina Turner has become one of the most commercially-successful international female rock stars to date. Her sultry, powerful voice, her incredible legs, her time-tested beauty and her unforgettable story all contribute to her legendary status.

Tina Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, in Haywood County, Tennessee, to Zelma Priscilla (Currie) and Floyd Richard Bullock. Her family were sharecroppers. Tina was raised in the segregated South. She and her elder sister were abandoned by their sparring parents early on, and were then raised by their grandparents. After her grandmother's death, she eventually moved to St. Louis, Missouri to reunite with her mother. This opened up a whole new world of R&B nightclubs to the precocious 16-year-old. Called up to sing on-stage with Ike Turner's Kings of Rhythm in 1956, she displayed a natural talent for performing which the band leader was keen to develop. Soon, Anna Mae's aspirations of a nursing career were forgotten and she began to hang around with the group. When the singer booked to record "A Fool in Love" failed to turn up for the session, Ike drafted in Anna Mae to provide the vocal with the intention of removing it later. However, once he heard her spine-tingling performance of the song, he soon changed his plans. He changed her name to Tina Turner and when the record became a hit, Tina became a permanent fixture in Ike's band and his quest for international stardom. One thing led to another: they were married in Mexico between the births of Tina's two sons - the first a result of an earlier relationship with a musician, the second with Ike.

Before too long the Ike and Tina Turner Revue was tearing up large and small R&B and soul venues throughout the early and mid-1960s. The hits were relatively few, but the unsurpassed energy and excitement generated by the live stage show (read: Tina) made the Revue a solid touring act, along with the likes of James Brown and Ray Charles. Their greatest attempt to "cross over" came in 1966 with the historic recording of the Phil Spector production, "River Deep, Mountain High". While it was a commercial flop in the United States, it was a monster hit in Europe - and the start of Tina's European superstar status, which never faded during her long stint of relative obscurity in America in the late 1970s. The Revue entered that decade as a top touring and recording act, with Tina becoming more and more recognized as the star power behind the group's international success. Ike, while having been justly described as an excellent musician, a shrewd businessman and the initial "brains" behind the Revue, was also described (by Tina and others) as a violent, drug-addicted wife-beater who was not above frequently knocking Tina (and other women) around both publicly and privately. Despite hits such as "Proud Mary" and Tina's self-penned "Nutbush City Limits", further mainstream success eluded the group and Ike blamed Tina. After years of misery and a failed suicide attempt, Tina finally had enough in July 1976, when she fled the marriage (and the Revue) with the now-famous 36 cents and a Mobil gasoline credit card.

Tina, now nearing 40, endured a long and, at times, humiliating trek back to superstardom through working many substandard gigs and performing a repertoire of current Top 40 hits and old Ike & Tina tunes in hotel ballrooms and supper clubs. She now admits she was having the time of her life at this point, simply putting together her own show and performing. She refused to wrangle for a settlement from the divorce, despite being in huge debt to all the tour promoters she had let down by fleeing the Revue. After an appearance on Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights (1980), Tina - in a wise business move - persuaded Newton-John's management team to take her on. With Roger Davies at her side, Tina's profile began to rise, and performances alongside the likes of Rod Stewart and The Rolling Stones introduced her to the rock market she so wanted to pursue.

The European release of her cover of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together" in 1983 was a major turning point in Tina's career. The record hit #6 in the British chart and Capitol Records were soon demanding a full album. "Private Dancer" was hurriedly produced in England in two weeks flat. The rest is rock and roll history. The next single - "What's Love Got to Do with It?" - became Tina's first #1 single the following year and the album hung around the Top 10 for months, spawning two further hits. At the 1985 Grammy Awards, her astonishing comeback was recognized with nominations in the rock, R&B and pop categories and rewarded with four trophies. Since that time, the successes have just kept coming: a starring role in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985); duets with Bryan Adams, David Bowie, Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger amongst others; several sell-out world tours; a string of hit albums and awards; a bestselling autobiography, "I, Tina"; and the blockbuster biopic What's Love Got to Do with It (1993) chronicling her life.

After her "Twenty Four Seven Millenium Tour" in 2000, Tina announced she would retire from the concert stage, but continue to record and play live on a smaller scale. Four years later, at age 65, she released a career retrospective entitled "All the Best" featuring new recordings, and reached #2 in the American album chart, her highest ever placing for an album there. She ended 2005 as one of five recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors, the highest form of recognition of excellence in the arts in America. Despite changing the direction of her working life, she will always be remembered as a dynamic live performer and recording artist, able to thrill audiences like no other woman in music history. Tina Turner is the undisputed Queen of Rock and Roll.

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Meet the Cast of LEMPICKA, Beginning Previews Tonight on Broadway

Performances begin tonight, March 19, at the Longacre Theatre for Lempicka, the new musical celebrating the true story of renowned artist Tamara de Lempicka.  Meet the cast of Lempicka here!

Review: MJ THE MUSICAL at Gammage Auditorium

What did our critic think of MJ THE MUSICAL at Gammage Auditorium?

Review: Carole Bufford Sings the Hits of the Fearless Females of the 1960's at 54 Below

This reviewer was completely overwhelmed by Carole Bufford’s resounding voice at her YOU DON’T OWN ME - THE FEARLESS FEMALES OF THE 1960’s show on March 14, 2024.

Cast Set For the European Premiere of PASSING STRANGE at the Young Vic

The Young Vic Theatre has announced casting for the European premiere of the electrifying Tony, Drama Desk and Critics Circle Award-winning rock musical Passing Strange.

Rock Concert With James Montgomery and Jon Butcher To Benefit Veterans at the Park Theatre

 “Rockin’ 4 Vets” will bring a Rock n’ Roll Circus to the Park Theatre in Jaffrey, New Hampshire, for a benefit event to raise monies for the nonprofit, Veterans Count. 

Feature: The Best of Musicals Op Zaterdag 29 Juni 2024 in De Ziggo Dome!

Zaterdag 29 juni komt The Best of Musicals naar de Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam. The Best of Musicals belooft een onvergetelijke show te worden, waar musicals en concertbeleving samenkomen in een unieke en betoverende ervaring. De grootste musicalhits komen voorbij uit moderne klassiekers zoals Les Misérables, Wicked, Frozen en Sister Act; pop- & rockmusicals als We Will Rock You, Dreamgirls en Jesus Christ Superstar. Ook zijn er exclusieve previews uit nieuwe wereldhits als Dear Evan Hansen en nog veel meer. The Best of Musicals, met een groot live-orkest en spectaculair videodecor, neemt de bezoeker mee op een reis door de meest geliefde en iconische musicalnummers. Er zijn twee shows om 15:00 uur en 20:00 uur waarbij de nummers afwisselend in het Engels en Nederlands worden gezongen. Kaarten zijn nu te boeken via www.bestofmusicals.nl 

SIX, HADESTOWN, and More Set For Broadway in Columbia's 2024-25 Season

Broadway in Columbia has announced its 2024-25 season. The season kicks off this November with Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas the Musical and continues for eight shows through 2025. Highlights include Six, Hadestown, Les Miserables, and more!

Lucie Jones, Carole Bufford, and More to Play 54 Below Next Week

Next week, 54 BELOW, Broadway's Supper Club and 2022 Tony Awards Honoree for Excellence in the Theatre, will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond. Learn more about the performances and how to get tickets here!

Laurence Fishburne's LIKE THEY DO IN THE MOVIES Begins Performances This Weekend at PAC NYC

The World Premiere of Like They Do in the Movies, written and performed by Laurence Fishburne, directed by Leonard Foglia, will begi performances at The Perelman Performing Arts Center on Sunday, March 10.

John Tartaglia, Marcia Milgrom Dodge, Jared Grimes & More Join The Muny's 106th Season

The Muny has revealed the teams of directors, choreographers and music directors for its 2024 season. Learn about the shows this season and see how to purchase tickets!

DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES To Play Final Broadway Performance This Month

The Broadway premiere of Days of Wine and Roses, starring Kelli O'Hara and Brian d'Arcy James, will play its final performance later this month.

BEETLEJUICE, SIX & More Set for Broadway Across Canada 2024-2025 Season in Calgary

Broadway Across Canada has revealed its 2024-2025 Broadway season, featuring seven theatrical productions that will take center stage in Calgary, at the Southern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium. See full programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

BEETLEJUICE, SIX, and More Set For Calgary's 2024-25 Broadway Season

The 2024-25 season has been announced for Broadway in Calgary, kicking off this September with Come From Away and continuing with seven shows through 2025. Learn more about the season here!

SIX, BEETLEJUICE, And More Announced for Broadway Across Canada 2024-25 Season In Vancouver

Broadway Across Canada has announced the lineup of shows coming to the Queen Victoria Theatre in 2024 and 2025!

ROBERT BANNON'S PRIDE PLAYLIST To Have Return Engagement at 54 Below

Robert Bannon will return to 54 Below on Friday, June 14th at 9:30pm to celebrate PRIDE for the second year in a row with Robert Bannon’s Pride Playlist. Learn more about the show and see how to purchase tickets.

Amber Atkinson, Hayley Maybury, and More Set For DIVAS LONDON

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THE EFFECT to Begin Previews This Weekend at The Shed

Previews begin on Sunday, March 3 for the exclusive U.S. presentation of a new production of The Effect. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

SOME LIKE IT HOT, MJ THE MUSICAL & More Set for 2024-25 Broadway in Miami Season at the Arsht Center

The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County has unveiled the 2024-25 Broadway in Miami season in the Ziff Ballet Opera House. See which shows are part of the programming and learn how to purchase tickets.

SIX, HADESTOWN, and More Set For MAGIC AT THE MUSICALS

Get ready for Magic at the Musicals 2024! Performances from AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN THE MUSICAL, HADESTOWN, MAMMA MIA!, SIX THE MUSICAL, and TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL have been announced. Join the Magic Radio event at the Royal Albert Hall this September. Learn more about the lineup here!

Miley Cyrus Drops 'Doctor' Single With Pharrell: Listen to the New Song

Miley Cyrus' new single 'Doctor (Work It Out)' with Pharrell is out now. The recent GRAMMY-winner has released her first song of the year! Check out the new Pharrell-produced single here! In the music video, Cyrus channels Tina Turner in a Bob Mackie-inspired dress. Listen to the new single and watch part of the music video now!

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