Celebrities and presidents pay tribute to Tina Turner : NPR

Tina Turner, the Pop and R&B vocalist, holds a Grammy Award, February 27, 1985, in Los Angeles. Turner, the unstoppable singer and stage performer, died Tuesday after a long illness at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, according to her manager. She was 83.

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Nick Ut/AP

Tina Turner, the Pop and R&B vocalist, holds a Grammy Award, February 27, 1985, in Los Angeles. Turner, the unstoppable singer and stage performer, died Tuesday after a long illness at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, according to her manager. She was 83.

Nick Ut/AP

News of Tina Turner’s death hit social media, with several celebrities and the White House react to the news by sending their condolences. The death of the rock and roll trailblazer was announced on Wednesday at her home in Switzerland. She was 83.

Actress Angela Bassett, who was nominated for an Oscar for her role as Turner in her biopic What is Love to do?, he wrote on Instagram, “How do we say goodbye to a woman who had her pain and trauma and used it as a means to help change the world? Through her courage to tell her story, her commitment to staying the course in her life, regardless of the sacrifice, and her determination to carve out a space in rock and roll for herself and others like her, Tina Turner showed others who lived in fear what a beautiful future filled with love should be like , compassion and freedom.”

Singer Beyoncé Knowles-Carter, who has been vocal about Turner’s influence on her, previously paid tribute to the icon in a performance at the 2005 Kennedy Center Honors. The pair performed together at the 2008 Grammys.

Knowles-Carter said Wednesday, “My beloved queen. I love you endlessly. I am so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way. You are strength and resilience. You are the epitome of power and passion. We are all so lucky to have seen your kindness and your beautiful spirit that lasts forever. Thank you for all you have done.”

Mick Jagger, a member of The Rolling Stones and who often toured with Turner, said, “I am so saddened by the death of my wonderful friend Tina Turner. She was a truly enormously talented artist and singer. She was a ‘ inspiring, warm, funny and generous. She helped me a lot when I was young and I will never forget her.”

President Joe Biden issued a statement where he and his wife praised Turner’s achievements despite the adversities she faced. “Jill and I send our love and prayers to her husband Erwin, the rest of the Turner family, and fans around the world who are mourning today for the woman they agree was ‘simply the best’.”

Former presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama also paid tribute to Turner. Obama said: “Tina Turner was rough. It was powerful. It was relentless. And she was unapologetic to herself—speaking and singing her truth through joy and pain; triumph and tragedy. Today we join fans around the world to honor the Queen of Rock and Roll, and a star whose light will never fade.”

Clinton said, “I loved Tina Turner and I’ll never forget meeting her when she came to Little Rock for a concert after she released Private Dancer in 1984. We met again on her 67th birthday in St. Petersburg, where she and Elton John sang for a charity event. She still had – talent, style, energy, and authenticity – a priceless gift to music lovers everywhere. May you rest in peace.”

Singer Mariah Carey said, “The words legendary, iconic, diva, and superstar are often overused and yet Tina Turner embodies them all and so much more – an incredible artist, musician and leader. To me, she will always be a survivor and an inspiration.” -women everywhere. Her music will continue to inspire generations to come. Rest in Peace, Queen.”

“I started as a Tina Turner fan, then a full-fledged groupie, following her from show to show around the country, and then, eventually, we became real friends,” the media mogul. Oprah Winfrey he said. “She is our eternal goddess of rock ‘n’ roll who had an inner strength that grew throughout her life. She was a role model not only for me but for the world.”

Turner, known for her raspy voice and vigorous dance moves, initially found fame as a rhythm and blues singer, then overcame years of abuse and found a second wind as an internationally loved rock star.

She had hit songs, such as “Proud Mary”, “Private Dancer”, “The Best” and “What’s Love Got to Do With It?”, which she released at the age of 44. That song peaked in -first place of the Billboard. Hot 100 chart.

In addition, she won eight Grammys, received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice – in 1991, for the duo she took part in with her ex-husband Ike Turner, and in 2021 as a solo act. .