Ari Groover as ‘Tina Turner’ in TINA – The Tina Turner Musical. Photo by Matthew Murphy for MurphyMade.

Before her death on May 24, 2023, Tina Turner lived an extraordinary life as a performer with music that still strikes chords with fans new and old around the world. Here are 14 unique facts about the legendary queen of rock and roll.

1. Inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Twice

Turner was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice: Once with her then-husband, Ike, in 1999, and again as a solo performer in 2021.

2. Princess Diana Played Turner’s Music for Prince William

Princess Diana played Tina Turner’s “The Best” for Prince William to calm his anxiety before returning to boarding school.

King Charles recently honored Turner by having the Band of the Welsh Guards play “The Best” outside of Buckingham Palace.

3. Angela Bassett portrayed Turner in Biopic Film What’s Love Got To Do With It

Award-winning actress Angela Bassett played Turner in the 1993 film, What’s Love Got To Do With It opposite Laurence Fishburne.

In a tribute Facebook post to Turner, Bassett shared Turner’s last words for her: “You never mimicked me. Instead, you reached deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed her to the world.”

Bassett scored an Oscar nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role for this flick.

4. Broke World Records as a Solo Performer

Turner’s Twenty Four Seven World Tour in 1995 earned her a world record. She became the first solo artist to gross over $100 million from her ticket sales.

5. Private Dancer Was Turner’s Comeback

According to her New York Times obituary, Turner’s Private Dancer album dropped in 1984 and put her back on the map. It was produced by four London, England production teams. Hits included “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “Private Dancer,” “Better Be Good To Me,” and “Let’s Stay Together.”

6. “What’s Love Got To Do With It” Won Three Grammy Awards

“What’s Love Got To Do With It” won three Grammys for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocal Performance in 1985.

7. Acted in Movies

Turner acted played in several film roles, including as Aunty Entity in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome and the Acid Queen in The Who’s rock opera, Tommy. She also appeared in the Bee Gees’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band and Last Action Hero.

8. Received a Kennedy Center Honor in 2005 and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018

Turner received a Kennedy Center Honor award in 2005 and Beyoncé honored her with a performance of her song, “Proud Mary.” Turner performed with Beyoncé at the 2008 Grammy Awards.

The Grammys also awarded Turner the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

9. Married German Music Executive Erwin Bach

Turner met Erwin Bach met in 1985 after her divorce from Ike. They dated for 27 years and were married for 10 before her death. They married in 2013, the same year Turner gained her Swiss citizenship.

The couple had a 16-year age gap but shared a love-at-first-sight experience. He even gave her a kidney when she had health issues.

Bach was an executive for the EMI European music label that worked with Queen, Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, Radiohead and more.

10. She Wrote Books

Turner wrote several books, including I, Tina: My Life Story autobiography that was first published in 1986; My Love Story in 2019, and Happiness Becomes You in 2020.

11. Performed in “We Are The World”

Turner performed with Michael Jackson, Lionel Richie, Ray Charles, Diana Ross, and other music superstars in the USA for Africa’s hit song, “We Are The World.”

12. Graced Numerous Rolling Stone Covers

Turner graced several Rolling Stone magazine covers from 1967 to 2006.

13. Executive Producer of TINA — The Tina Turner Musical with Erwin Bach

Turner and Bach were the executive producers of TINA — The Tina Turner Musical. The show was written by Katori Hall and directed by Phyllida Lloyd. The show premiered in London on April 17, 2018 and on Broadway on November 7, 2019.

14. TINA — The Tina Turner Musical Received 12 Tony Award Nominations

TINA — The Tina Turner Musical earned 12 Tony Award nominations. Adrienne Warren won a Tony for Best Actress in a Leading Role as Ms. Turner.

DETAILS
TINA — The Tina Turner Musical
Oct 18-29, 2023 • Buell Theatre
Tickets