TINA TURNER Overnight Sensation

Icons & Superstars: Tina (Turner). When you Google 'Tina' - up comes Tina Turner as a predictive search and she is more than deserving of that legendary tag of 'Icon & Superstar'. With a career that spanned an awe inspiring 7 decades. At 82 years young in 2022 (turning 83 in November), Anna Mae Bullock is known the world over as Tina Turner. With more signature hits than most of us have had dates, this woman is just a kick ass vocalist and spirited performer who prevailed over an abusive husband, a couple of career slumps to sell over 100 million records!

I first encountered Tina's dynamic voice in 1975 thanks to 'Nutbush City Limits' having a delayed chart run here in Australia. Like most people, we lost track of Tina for the better part of a decade, until she signed up with Roger Davies, the Aussie manager who had guided Olivia Newton John among others to dizzying heights and he worked his magic with Tina. 'Let's get Together' a cover of the Al Green soul classic, was her comeback hit in late 1983 and early 84, but of course it was her Grammy winning hit 'What's Love Got To Do With It' that cemented her place in the annals of pop history. At the age of 45, Tina Turner was remade and reborn and her success for the rest of the 80's and into the 90's', including tours all over the world, has made her one of the most recognisable and successful artists ever. Some have dubbed Tina Turner the Queen Of Rock, but I think that title, reduces her achievements and her versatility.

Tina Turner is just an incredible singer. I have chosen 'Overnight Sensation' from her 1986 opus 'Break Every Rule' to honour this icon and superstar of pop culture. In many ways Tina was an overnight sensation, despite a near 30 year career, where she struggled to have her own voice and her own agency over her life and career. This clip was recorded on VHS; then years later transferred to DVD and then last week I converted it to mp4 and now uploaded it to youtube! What I love about this clip is that it really showcases the star quality and spirit that has personified Tina's career and her music overall.

There are so many great songs in Tina's catalogue. 'Simply The Best', 'Better Be Good To Me' and of course the years she was part of Ike & Tina Turner - 'Proud Mary', 'River Deep Mountain High' and 'A Fool In Love'. But for me, I think it will always be 'Nutbush City Limits' that I have a fondness for.

What songs by Tina do people really love?