What
word springs to mind when the name Tina Turner is uttered? For me, it's
survivor! That's not the only word though, because hero closely follows and
superstar is never far behind. Every week day I publish a music news digest so
I am always on the lookout for interesting articles on the music business and
this week I came across 'The Story of a Soul Survivor, Private Dance at 25.'
Now, this article was first published in November, 2009 yet it's still an
incredible read.
In 1976
armed with 36 cents and a Mobil gas card, Tina finally escaped her abusive
marriage to Ike, but she was mired in debt to concert promoters due to a number
of shows having to be cancelled. With the help of Rhonda Graam, a former
business partner of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, Tina embarked on a solo
career. It's clear by her actions that Tina is a woman of integrity because in
those early years of her solo career, she took whatever work that was offered
in order to clear her debts and her name that she fought so hard to retain.
From the Sonny & Cher Show to Hollywood Squares to Laugh-in, Tina worked
and by 1978, her first solo release after her divorce, Rough, was released on
the United Artists label. That release didn't sell well and was followed up by
another album, Love Explosion released in 1979 which didn't fare that well
either.
Fast
forward to the 27th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium in
LA, 26 February 1985 and Diana Ross opening the envelop and proclaiming
"What's Love Got to do With It' as album of the year and the world
witnesses the Phoenix rising from the ashes in much deserved and hard earned
triumph! The crowd erupted in ovation and the next chapter for this amazing
woman began.
I was
watching the Grammys that night, just a year out of high school, watching Tina
accept the music industry's greatest honour not knowing then that the Spirit of
Tina Turner would play a huge role in my future. I think I was subconsciously
preparing to step into her persona even back then having read her
autobiography, I, Tina, co-written by MTV news correspondent and music critic
Kurt Loder, and watching the 1993 film, What's Love Got to do With It, more
times than I can remember. I've watched countless live performance on the telly
and even had the pleasure of seeing her live on 28 June 1997 during her Wildest
Dreams Tour on her stop at the New World Music Theatre in Tinley Park. What a
night.
I even
remember catching Tina at the start of her Wildest Dreams Tour on the Oprah
show and envying Oprah who got to dress up like Tina and perform with her when
Tina appeared on the Oprah show. She even went on the Road with the tour during
the North American leg travelling from Houston to New York City. Talk about
your wildest dreams coming true! So like Oprah, I am obviously a huge fan and
that's one of the reasons why it's an absolute pleasure to step in Tina's shows
for my Simply, Tina Turner Show.
Here's a
link to the article that spawned this bit of ranting about the fabulous Tina
Turner. I found it interesting to remember her heroic and brave journey from
victim to victor. Reading this article encouraged me to push through any
obstacles or difficulty I'm facing with determination. Maybe this article will
speak to you in some way too. If so, do share your thoughts!
Enjoy.
