R.I.P. Tina Turner

Another day, another legend gone. Tina Turner passed away at 83 years old yesterday.

This one hit almost as hard as Jim Brown. I never really listened to Tina Turner's music, but my mom did. She played it loud and proud in the house growing up. My mom is, and was, a fan of her music and her story. I also remember the movie "What's Love Got to Do With It" playing a lot in my house and my mom watching it a ton.

My mom worked in a battered women and children's center when I was growing up and Tina Turner's story was one that her clients could relate to. Tina Turner was abused to the brink while married to Ike Turner. Ike Turner was a fantastic musician, but he was a total asshole and a miserable human being. He used to abuse Tina Turner mentally and physically. She overcame it all to become an even better artist and person. But Ike, he was a prick. So my mom would show this movie to the attendants of her shelter to give them hope. Or least that was how I saw it as a kid. She wanted these women to know there was more out there than an abusive partner. Tina Turner lived that life and she came out on the other side. Tina Turner also worked with Mel Gibson on a "Mad Max" movie. I mean, she spent an inordinate amount of time with two of the biggest abusers in the business world, and she came out of both very scathed, but stronger and more powerful than she was before.

Tina Turner was an absolute legend in every sense of the word. But she was best known for her music and her dancing. Tina Turner was a powerhouse vocalist. She commanded the stage and took the crowd on a ride with how awesome her voice was. I mean, she had some serious pipes. I have gone back and listened to some of her early stuff, the work she did with Ike, and she was the reason to go watch them live. She was also the reason to listen to their music. She was such a commanding and dominating presence while perming music. When she split and became a solo artist I feel she got even better. She became this ballad singer and she absolutely crushed on her songs. I have seen so many people reposting her singing "Simply the Best" and each time, with each version, it gets better and better. I have been totally blown away at how incredible, and widely loved, she was as a solo artist. I always knew she was amazing, but never really listening to her until now, I missed out on a bunch of stuff I will have to familiarize myself with now.

Tina Turner was also an incredible dancer. That was another thing people talked about when I was younger that I never understood. But now, after going back and watching clips of live performances, it all makes sense. She was an absolute crowd pleaser. She knew what moves to do and when to do them. She would get these well deserved applause breaks after doing some amazing dance numbers.

Tina Turner was one of a kind. There is no one else from her early era to when she ended that was as powerful a stage presence. She rocked the house and was one of the best to ever do it. She will be missed by so many people. The response to her passing has been overwhelming. Rest in Peace Mrs Turner. Go amaze crowds wherever you may be now. 

Ty

Ty is the Pop Culture editor for SeedSing and the other host of the X Millennial Man Podcast.

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