When people list the greatest entertainers of the last two decades, they typically name Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson or Madonna. However, before any of these women even knew how to walk or hold a microphone, it was Tina Turner blazed the stage and set the bar for generations of entertainers.
Launching her career in the early 1960s alongside her ex-husband Ike Turner – one of the pioneers of Rock & Roll music – Tina redefined the concepts of femininity with her thrilling stage shows. Indeed, by observing the younger stars who rose to fame during the last 40 years, it is impossible not to see her influence.
Watch some of Tina’s showings below and see why she is often described as one of the best live performers of our time:
‘Bold Soul Sister (with Ike Turner)’
‘I Can’t Turn You Loose (with Ike Turner)’
‘Nutbush City Limits’
‘Private Dancer’
‘Proud Mary (with Ike Turner)’
‘What’s Love Got To Do With it’
If you’re a fan of Beyonce then you’re a fan of Tina because the former obviously studied every routine, outfit and mannerism of her idol. Of course, that is certainly not an insult because as each generation has the task of building on the previous era and that is only possible by examining the greatest acts of that time.
Yet, regardless of how impressive her younger counterparts have become, there will never be another Tina. She was amazing during a period where black women where confined by the ideologies governing their sexualities but instead of conforming to the gowns and ballads of her peers, such as Aretha Franklin, Tina shattered every ideal and created her own lane.
Tina is a true entertainer and unlike Madonna who lip-syncs and stiffly dances through her shows at the age of 53 years, she continued to dazzle her fans with fierce live performances well into her 70s. Tina “never ever does anything nice and easy!”