Queen of rock'n'roll

Tributes to inspiring singer who fled an abusive marriage to become global icon

- CHRISTOPHER BUCKTIN

WITH her huge voice, 12 Grammys and record sales over 100 million in a career topping 60 years-plus the most famous legs in showbiz - Tina Turner was simply the best.

The queen of rock'n'roll had stars on two Walks of Fame, but after her death aged 83 her legend is soaring higher as even NASA mourned her, saying: "Her legacy will forever live among the stars."

Sir Mick Jagger, who duetted with her at Live Aid in 1985, said: "She was inspiring, warm, funny and generous. She helped me so much when I was young and I will never forget her."

Tina, who died at home in Kusnacht, Switzerland, had been diagnosed with intestinal cancer seven years ago and had a kidney transplant the year after.

Her spokesman said: "The world loses a music legend and a role model."

Roger Davies, her manager of 30 years, said: "Tina was a unique and remarkable force of nature."

Model Naomi Campbell called her a "queen, legend, icon", adding: "There will never be another." Bernice King, the daughter of civil rights activist Martin Luther King, said: "Goodnight, Queen."

Known for hits including What's Love Got to Do With It, The Best and Private Dancer, Tina also starred in 1985 film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome and 1993's Last Action Hero.

In 2005 then-US President George W Bush described her legs as "the most famous in showbusiness" and it was reported she insured them for hundreds of millions of dollars.

STAR

Tina was born Anna Mae Bullock in November 1939 into a poor family who picked cotton in the fields around. Nutbush, Tennessee. Father Floyd beat her mother Zelma before they both abandoned her as a child.

She was still at school in East St Louis, Illinois, in the 1950s when she began singing with Ike Turner and his band the Kings of Rhythm.