10 TRACKS TO REMEMBER TINA TURNER

THE SINGER PASSED AWAY LAST MONTH IN KUSNACHT, SWITZERLAND AT THE AGE OF 83

- Narendra Kusnur

IN 1984, WITH MUSIC videos already ruling the way people appreciated music, the appearance of Tina Turner in the song "What's Love Got To Do With It" created waves all over. Besides the image of Tina facing the camera or walking in a leather miniskirt, people related to the lines, "Who needs a heart when a heart can be broken?", and the description of love as a second-hand emotion.

The song, from the album Private Dancer, was one of the two big hits that people identified Tina with. The other one "The Best," often mistakenly called "Simply The Best" because of its main phrase, was actually a hit for Cyndi Lauper before Tina made it her own in 1989.

Tina, who passed away in Kusnacht, Switzerland, on May 24th, 2023 at the age of 83, had more to her than these two mega-hits. After releasing "Boxtop" in 1958 under the name Little Ann, she debuted as Tina Turner in "A Fool In Love," a duet with her partner Ike Turner, who she ultimately split from. Encompassing a cross-section of styles from rock n' roll and pop to soul and rhythm n' blues, she became one of the most sought-after live performers of her generation.

Born Anne Mae Bullock, Tina was also known for embracing Buddhism. Musically, she has built up a huge catalog over the years. Here, we chronologically look at 10 gems released by her.

"A FOOL IN LOVE" (1960)

Written by Ike Turner, this 1960 release was one of the first rhythm n' blues songs to become a mega-selling pop hit. It was also Tina's first professional release as lead singer though she had recorded for Ike and his band as backup vocalist since 1958. Tina's distinct voice attracted immediate attention, and the lines, "You're just a fool, you know you're in love" became a fan favorite.

"RIVER DEEP-MOUNTAIN HIGH" (1966)