A shower of tributes was paid to the artist who died at the age of 83. And among them, the moving one of actress Angela Bassett, who played her on screen in the biopic “Tina” in 1993.
The voice of the “Queen of Rock’n’Roll” has died out. Huge singing star with more than 100 million albums sold, 8 Grammy Awards and his name registered in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and in lists of the greatest musical artists, Tina Turner, real name Anna Mae Bullock, died at the age of 83 in her home in Switzerland.
The announcement of his death was logically followed by a shower of tributes, up to the highest peak in the state. President of the United States Joe Biden thus welcomed in a press release “the only woman to win in the pop, rock, and RnB categories” at the Grammy Awards, “a sign of his versatility, creativity and wide popularity”.
Barack Obama meanwhile wrote that the singer was “Raw, powerful. She was unstoppable. And she was unapologetic herself – speaking and singing her truth through joy and pain; triumph and tragedy”.
There were obviously very many reactions also from the musical world. Another singing legend, Gloria Gaynor, pointed out that “Tina Turner [avait] paved the way for so many women in rock, whether black or white.” Longtime friend Mick Jagger posted a message on his Instagram account.
“I am so saddened by the passing of my wonderful friend Tina Turner. She was truly a very talented artist and singer. She was inspiring, warm, funny and generous. She helped me so much when I was young and I never saw her. ‘never forget’.
Among this concert of praise, we will retain that, moving, of the actress Angela Bassett, who embodied with great conviction the singer in a solid biopic released in 1993, Tina. A performance that was also hailed by the Golden Globe for Best Actress and an Oscar citation.
“How do you say goodbye to a woman who turned her pain and trauma into strength and used it as a means to change the world? By her courage in telling her story […]Tina Turner showed others living in fear what a beautiful future, filled with love, compassion and freedom, should look like.”
Her last words to me – to me – were “You never imitated me. Instead, you went deep into your soul, found your inner Tina and showed it to the world”. I will keep these words close to my heart for the rest of my days.
I’m honored to have known Tina Turner. I’m honored to have helped show it to the world. So today, as we mourn the loss of that iconic voice and presence, she has given us more than we could ever have asked for. She gave us her whole being.
And Tina Turner is a gift that will always be “simply the best” [NDR : “Simply The Best” en VO, reprenant donc le titre d’une chanson iconique de Tina Turner]. Angels, sing for his rest… Queen”.