Photo by Walter Iooss Jr. via Getty Images.
Generations of Fans and Peers React to the Death of Tina Turner
From Beyoncé to Mariah Carey to Erykah Badu, Mick Jagger, Barack Obama, and beyond, tributes to the late Tina Turner have poured in since the announcement of the singer's death on Wednesday, May 24th.
Just an hour or so ago, the world was informed of the death of Tina Turner. The acclaimed singer, songwriter, and actress, reportedly passed at her home today in Küsnacht, Switzerland after a long battle with an unnamed illness. She was 83 years old.
Within moments of the announcement, social media was inundated with memorials, tributes, and remembrances, from generations of fans, both marquee and pedestrian. "The King & Queen. She was everything," wrote a mournful Questlove on Instagram. "Cultural icon down. Safe journey Anna Mae Bullock," said Erykah Badu in her own post. Even some of the singer's peers and contemporaries have offered a few words on her passing. "She was truly an enormously talented performer and singer. She was inspiring, warm, funny and generous. She helped me so much when I was young and I will never forget her," says Rolling Stones frontman, Mick Jagger, in a rare dispatch on Twitter.
“How do we say farewell to a woman who owned her pain and trauma and used it as a means to help change the world?," asked Oscar-nominee, Angela Bassett, in a statement via Hollywood Reporter. Bassett portrayed the singer in the 1993 biopic, What's Love Got To With It?, which was based on Turner's 1986 memoir, I, Tina. " I’m so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way. You are strength and resilience. You are the epitome of power and passion," wrote Beyoncé in a touching statement posted on her website.
Turner was a somewhat reclusive figure for the last two decades. In 2013, she notoriously relinquished her US citizenship and lived out the rest of her life with husband, Erwin Bach, in Switzerland, where she was diagnosed and treated for intestinal cancer in 2016 and underwent a kidney transplant (donated by her husband,) the following year. It's unclear if either of those health bouts contributed to her passing.
Scroll through some of the reactions to the death of Tina Turner below.
I’m so saddened by the passing of my wonderful friend Tina Turner.
She was truly an enormously talented performer and singer. She was inspiring, warm, funny and generous. She helped me so much when I was young and I will never forget her. pic.twitter.com/TkG5VrdxXO
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) May 24, 2023
R.I.P. 🙏🏾❤️❤️ https://t.co/N1wWDyTd9L
— James Poyser (@jamespoyser) May 24, 2023
Love live the Queen! RIP Tina Turner pic.twitter.com/D6fGA6UccQ
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) May 24, 2023
The prototype. A one of one. RIP Tina Turner. 🕊️pic.twitter.com/6l8vcSf6o3
— Dee Phunk (@DeePhunk) May 24, 2023
I’m not gone lie, Tina turner passing touches my heart!
Ever since her biopic I felt I knew her. Such a strong woman with a story that taught & inspired so many♥️
— J🫖🪄 (@ThegirlJT) May 24, 2023
Rest in peace to one of my favorite artists of all time, the legendary queen of rock n’ roll Tina Turner. I’ve seen her many many times and hands down, she gave one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen. She always gave you your moneys worth. pic.twitter.com/VqlTjy1LUR
— Earvin Magic Johnson (@MagicJohnson) May 24, 2023
The 80s performances are the ones I return to. Sprawling, stunning renditions. Over ten minutes of Proud Mary.https://t.co/REl8GhHdKd
— Hanif Abdurraqib (@NifMuhammad) May 24, 2023
Tina was the Queen of Rock n Roll. It was an honor and pleasure to meet u, work with u and learn from u. God bless u my friend 🙏🏽💖 pic.twitter.com/8OPLLoT7qB
— SheilaEdrummer (@SheilaEdrummer) May 24, 2023
Heaven has gained an angel.
Rest in Paradise Tina Turner.
Thank you for the inspiration you gave us all. pic.twitter.com/JMxa9kBsmF
— Ciara (@ciara) May 24, 2023
My condolences to the Turner family rest in peace Tina Turner you will be missed pic.twitter.com/3vi2fWtF1k
— Grandmaster Flash (@DJFlash4eva) May 24, 2023
"I was a benefactor of the energy, creativity and talents of Tina Turner. A woman who started in rural Nutbush, TN cotton fields and worked her way to the very top. Tina was a great inspiration to me when I was starting out and remains so to this day. Love you Tina. RIP.” —DH pic.twitter.com/2sqg0biujc
— Debbie Harry/BLONDIE (@BlondieOfficial) May 24, 2023
RIP Tina. She was my moms hero, she was the ultimate superhero to me too. 🙏🏾
— The Chosen One (@KiDCuDi) May 24, 2023
I’m so sorry to hear about Tina Turner. I loved Tina and her voice and energy – she was one of the greats. “River Deep, Mountain High” will always be one of my favorite songs. And nothing beats her version of “Proud Mary.” I loved her musical too. Love & Mercy. pic.twitter.com/dZ0swrtmsB
— Brian Wilson (@BrianWilsonLive) May 24, 2023
Shocked. Saddened. Sending condolences to Tina Turner’s family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/FGlQfjxaGh
— Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) May 24, 2023