Tina in Camden – Rest in Peace Rock’n’Roll Queen

 On May 24th, 2023, we bid farewell to a legend. Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’, passed away, leaving behind a legacy of resilience, tenacity, and groundbreaking music, becoming a defining icon of the 80s.

Born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, her journey from Nutbush, Tennessee to the pinnacle of global stardom was far from easy, yet it’s this journey that has made her an enduring symbol of strength. Tina’s publicist Bernard Doherty said on a statement Wednesday night: “Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of Rock’n Roll’ has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model.”

Turner told in an interview in 2020 that the last ten years of her life had embodied her ideal vision of happiness, despite having some serious health issues.

“True and lasting happiness comes from having an unshakeable, hopeful spirit that can shine, no matter what. That’s what I’ve achieved, and it is my greatest wish to help others become truly happy as well.” 

Widely referred to as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll”, she rose to prominence as the lead singer of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue before launching a successful career as a solo performer.

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Tina Turner Official Concert from “Break Every Rule” Tour – Live In London’s Camden Palace
(Club – Le Zero) In November, 1986  DVD/ VHS version

Tina Turner’s electrifying 1986 concert at Camden Palace (now KOKO) was a testament to her unparalleled energy and stage presence. At the height of her Break Every Rule era, Turner captivated the audience with a powerhouse performance, blending her soulful vocals, high-energy dance moves, and a commanding charisma that left the crowd in awe. The intimate yet iconic Camden venue amplified the raw emotion and dynamic energy of her show, creating an unforgettable experience for fans. With a setlist featuring hits like What’s Love Got to Do with It and Private Dancer, alongside rock-infused anthems, the night reaffirmed Tina Turner’s status as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” and solidified her place in Camden’s storied music history.

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Throughout her career, Turner won a total of 12 Grammys and was a two-time inductee into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall Of Fame, as a solo artist and as part of the duo she formed with ex-husband, Ike Turner, in the 1960s. She was the first woman to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone and a record breaker – previously holding the Guinness World Record for the largest paying audience for a solo performer, attracting an audience of 180,000 for her show at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1988.

After her divorce from Ike Turner in 1978, she went on to find even greater success as a solo artist in the 1980s. Her album Private Dancer was released in 1984 and was a triumph, both critically and commercially. It sold more than 20 million copies worldwide and won three Grammy Awards. Some of her biggest hits include Proud Mary, Nutbush City Limits, The Best, We Don’t Need Another Hero, and What’s Love Got To Do With It.

In 1986, she published her first memoir, which became a worldwide bestseller and was later adapted into the 1993 movie ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It?’ with Angela Bassett portraying Turner. Two years later she sang the theme anthem to the James Bond film Golden Eye. Turner made her retirement announcement in 2000, a year after she released her last solo album: ‘Twenty Four Seven’. However, she would returned in 2008, performing with Beyonce at the Grammy Awards and for a final tour to commemorate half a century of her career.

In 2019, she told New York Times: “I was just tired of singing and making everybody happy. That’s all I’d ever done in my life.”

You have inspired and made us very happy, and for this, we will be eternally thankful.

Rest in Peace, Tina.