FSWL contributor Mark Cerulli remembers Tina Turner (1939-2023)

By: Mark Cerulli

Published:
2023-05-24

The iconic rockstar and GoldenEye (1995) title track singer Tina Turner has passed away in Switzerland at the age of 83. FSWL extends its deepest condolences to her family.

Born Anna Mae Bullock, her parents were sharecroppers in Brownsville, Tennessee but she grew up in Nutbush, TN when they divorced. She began singing gospel in her local church and soon joined Ike Turner’s Kings of Rhythm band where her powerful voice quickly got her center stage. The Ike and Tina Turner Revue became a headlining act throughout the 1960s and 70s. She and Ike married in 1962 but had a tempestuous relationship, known for brutal arguments and his physical violence against her. She divorced him and went solo in 1978 having to rebuild her career. And rebuild it she did - hitting new levels of stardom in 1984 when her hit single “What’s Love Got to Do With it” exploded on the radio and the new medium of MTV. That album “Private Dancer” went multi-platinum, and she sold out concert venues across America.

Handpicked by director George Miller for Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, she held her own as the villainous “Auntie Entity” opposite Mel Gibson. She also provided the theme song, “We Don’t Need Another Hero” which spent 13 weeks on the US charts, peaking at no 3.

In 1995 she recorded GoldenEye, written by U2’s Bono and The Edge for Pierce Brosnan’s debut as Ian Fleming's James Bond. The film was a massive hit grossing over $350M and the title song charted in many European countries, reaching #5 in Italy, France, Finland, Austria and Switzerland and #1 in Hungary.

Tina Turner was one of the most electric and physical performers in music. On her Twenty Four Seven U.S. tour, this writer remembers being in the 10th row as she performed “Nutbush City Limits” on a cherry-picker basket swinging back and forth above the audience. In 1995 at the GoldenEye after party, I came close to meeting her – spotting her in conversation with Bono but as soon as crowds began arriving, she split.

James Bond producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli commented the news: “We are very sad to hear of the passing of Tina Turner, the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll. She will remain forever in the hearts of 007 fans for GoldenEye. We send our condolences to her family, friends and fans all around the world.”

Pierce Brosnan wrote, “Farewell to an icon, rock-goddess and legend. Proud to stand beside the extraordinary Tina Turner at of the premier of GoldenEye, Leicester Square, London November 1995. My sincere and heartfelt condolences to her family, friends and fans. RIP”

Prince Charles, Izabella Scorupco, Tina Turner, Pierce Brosnan, GoldenEye, London premiere

Tina Turner with Prince Charles, Izabella Scorupco and Pierce Brosnan at the gala premiere of GoldenEye in London 1995.

A one-of-a-kind performer with a voice that could cut glass, Tina Turner is a worldwide icon who will never be forgotten.

She retired to Switzerland, her adopted country in 2008 where she lived quietly with her second husband, German music executive, Erwin Bach.

Thank you, lovely Tina.

Obituary by Mark Cerulli. Copyright © 2023 From Sweden with Love. All rights reserved.

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FSWL contributor Mark Cerulli remembers Tina Turner (1939-2023)

A one-of-a-kind performer with a voice that could cut glass, Tina Turner is a worldwide icon who will never be forgotten.

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