“My legacy is that I stayed on course … from the beginning to the end, because I believed in something inside of me.” ~ Tina Turner
Tina’s passing reverberated like a seismic tremor throughout the world of music and show business, but her life lived to the fullest created much bigger waves of voice, music, and overcoming by a great soul. It will continue to resound throughout the hearts and memories of millions of people worldwide—including whole generations that grew up with or came to love her music.
Tina Turner was not just a star in the art of performance, but a giant in the art of living, mastering the challenges that this world provides and turning them into victories and stepping stones of learning and growth.
“No, I don’t consider it a comeback. Tina had never arrived.” ~ Tina Turner
Tina was a very hard worker, who throughout the many troubles of her life, both in childhood and as a superstar, did not become bitter but became better—by redefining life’s creative direction and meaning.
Born as Anna Mae Bullock in, yes!, Tennessee, she grew up in the tiny rural, cotton-farming town of Nutbush under her very religious and strict grandparents, with her mother escaping the family and an abusive marriage when Tina was 11 years old.
It may be due to these early childhood experiences that Tina herself became someone who always remained loyal to her friends and family and the people who worked for her. It was through hard work and an incredible inner power and will—something we all can hear in her voice—that she managed the many transitions in her life, and especially her solo comeback in the 1980s.
Aged 44, she was the oldest female solo artist to top the Hot 100. ~ Wikipedia
Her Buddhist spiritual practice was one of the cornerstones in her life and enabled her to surf the changes and redefinitions of self required to rebuild her career and performance. It became even stronger in later years when her music also took on a spiritual tone as she recorded Christian and Buddhist mantras with Regula Curti and Dechen Shak-Dagsay.
Tina Turner was a real leader, bringing a music that had an impact on people—encouraging and inspiring them to excel and embrace the tasks that life presents, while knowing that there is a higher energy that emanates from the world beyond.
“This is what I want in heaven … words to become notes and conversations to be symphonies.” ~ Tina Turner
Related:
Tina Turner on Wikipedia
HBO documentary Tina (2021). Watch on various platforms.
Sky News Australia: Late Tina Turner to be honoured with world record attempt of Nutbush dance
Learn the Nutbush City Limit line dance
I’m sure Tina Turner was a talented singer and overcame many obstacles. However, I have a knee jerk reaction when our celebrity culture, which is mostly myth to sell a human product, is set up to be revered. We really don’t know where reality leaves off and make believe begins in the entertainment industry.
I offer a hero that I would like to acknowledge (albiet from the past) who is not in the entertainment business of money and fame:
Albert Goring (1895-1966) was the younger brother of Herman Goring (Hitler’s right-hand man and founder of the Gestapo). Albert hated the Nazis and used his brother’s name to save Jews and dissidents by forging documents. He sent trucks into concentration camps requesting workers and freed them in the forest with his forged documents.
After the war, Albert was arrested and imprisoned at Nuemberg. No one believed him until greatful survivors submitted sworn statements on his behalf.
He died in obscurity, but years later documents were unearthed in British archives conforming Albert saved 100s of Jews.
So many unsung heros!!!
Yes. This is why we have Hero of the Week – to celebrate real heros. Way too many go unsung and most held up to be our heros are not. I believe Tina Turner was one of the authentic who also achieved celebrity status purely on the merits. It does happen.
I also believe she embodied the best of the female aspect, strong, courageous, and powerful, not stepping on the bodies of others, resourceful, true to her natural nature, allowing herself to love and be loved. She stood as a beacon of light in the empowerment of the women’s true spirit. When asked what is the meaning of the word woman, we could use her as a shining example.
To see two such unique and dynamic talents on stage like this is magic. Never saw this clip, Thx for sharing it. A very fitting tribute!
Their stage presence when the fan jumped on stage and kissed Bowie was really impressive!