Photo via Tina Turner’s Facebook
Following yesterday’s news that the queen of rock-n-roll, Tina Turner, passed away at age 83 after battling a prolonged illness, friends, collaborators, and celebrity admirers paid respect to the acclaimed “What Does Love Got to Do With It?” singer in messages spread across social media.
Rolling Stones frontman, Mick Jagger, wrote: “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.”
Bandmate Ronnie Wood also shared some words on Instagram, “God bless you, Tina, the Queen Of Rock And Soul and a dear friend to our family. Love and prayers to all of Tina’s family, friends and loved ones.”
“Tina Turner was raw. She was powerful. She was unstoppable. And she was unapologetically herself—speaking and singing her truth through joy and pain; triumph and tragedy. Today we join fans around the world in honoring the Queen of Rock and Roll, and a star whose light will never fade,” Former President Barack Obama penned via Twitter.
Oprah Winfrey dove into her past, sharing the significance of Turner’s impact on her own life: “I started out as a fan of Tina Turner, then a full-on groupie, following her from show to show around the country, and then, eventually, we became real friends. She is our forever goddess of rock ‘n’ roll who contained a magnitude of inner strength that grew throughout her life. She was a role model not only for me but for the world. She encouraged a part of me I didn’t know existed.”
She concluded: “Once she claimed her freedom from years of domestic abuse, her life became a clarion call for triumph. I’m grateful for her courage, for showing us what victory looks like wearing Manolo’s and a leather miniskirt. She once shared with me that when her time came to leave this earth, she would not be afraid, but excited and curious. Because she had learned how to LIVE surrounded by her beloved husband, Erwin, and friends. I am a better woman, a better human, because her life touched mine. She was indeed simply the best.”
On stage in Phoenix Lizzo commented to fans “There would be no rock-n-roll without Tina Turner,” before covering the late musician’s “Proud Mary.”
Questlove also chimed in, adding: Survivor. The King & Queen. She was everything. Man…. This is one of the figures I just knew would live in her 3 digits. I was not prepared to say goodbye to Tina Turner. But it’s 2023……and here we are. What an AMAZING life. Love you forever Tina Turner. Rest In Melody.”
To read more about Turner’s life and legacy, follow this link.