Photo: Getty Images
Dolly Parton, Tim McGraw, Mickey Guyton and other country stars mourned the loss of Tina Turner, a legendary trailblazer who earned her Queen of Rock 'n' Roll title after releasing unforgettable classic hits throughout her decades-long career. Turner died following a long illness at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, a spokesperson for the global icon confirmed on Wednesday (May 24). She was 83.
“Now she’s rollin’ rollin’ rollin’ on to glory,” Parton wrote in a heartfelt tribute to Turner. “Roll on Tina. We will always love you!”
Guyton shared a clip of her stunning tribute performance to Turner at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in which she’s been inducted twice. Guyton said she was “deeply saddened” by Turner’s loss: “She was simply the best. Truly an inspiration and paved the way for so many of us. Being a part of the tribute to her at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was an incredible honor and something I will never forget.”
Other artists and fans, including McGraw, also referenced Turner’s smash-hit anthem when he posted a tribute to the late legend on Thursday (May 25): “Simply the best. Another one of the true greats lost…. Sending our love to Tina’s family. What a powerhouse voice that will live on forever!”
“How lucky are we to have witnessed a true tour de force,” McGraw’s superstar wife, Faith Hill, wrote in a tribute of her own on Thursday. Hill included a glimpse of a photo the two artists took together when they performed at the Super Bowl in 2000. “I’ve never seen anyone set fire to the stage like Tina Turner. The power that exploded from her performances was mind blowing. You could not take your eyes off of Tina. What a blessing to have been in the presence of such an incredible woman who exuded grace, kindness, and that wicked sense of humor. I wanted to share a photo taken when Tina and I performed at the Super Bowl in 2000. ...Thinking about Tina’s family, her beloved husband, and all the close friends that knew her well. We will never forget you, Tina!!!!!!!!!!!”
“I just heard about Tina Turner’s passing, and it hit my heart,” Keith Urban wrote as he shared a photo of Turner on his Instagram story on Wednesday. “I’m immediately hearing THAT VOICE, I’m seeing THAT ENERGY, and I’m feeling that strength, sensuality, determination and passion. That LIFE FORCE. I’m grateful that we have the music and the performances — the source for SO much of what you hear and see in countless other artists to this day. A matchless imprint. Thank you for everything you gave Tina.”
“One of the greatest legends of rock and roll and soul has passed,” Sheryl Crow, who was named an inductee in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s class of 2023, wrote in a statement on her Instagram story. “She was a force of nature and paved the way for all of us rockers. RIP Tina Turner.”
“Two-time Inductee Tina Turner worked hard to reimagine the role of a Black woman in rock & roll — one that was firmly placed front and center,” reads the Rock Hall’s tribute to Turner. “During her time in the duo Ike and Tina Turner (inducted in 1991), her electric onstage presence forever raised the bar for live performance. Their hits ‘River Deep–Mountain High’ and ‘Proud Mary’ endure to this day. But this Queen of Rock & Roll went on to make music history again with her solo career (for which she was inducted again in 2021) and with her bravery in sharing her life story as a book, film, and Broadway musical. There was nothing her deep, robust voice couldn’t do, as displayed on her solo hits like ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ and ‘Private Dancer.’”
Turner, who was born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, was known for “Proud Mary,” “The Best,” “What’s Love Got to Do with It” and other iconic hits throughout her career. Relive her life in photos here.
See some of the tributes to Turner below.