Tina Turner is an accomplished singer, songwriter, dancer, and actress. Turner was born in Tennessee in 1939 and grew up singing in the church choir. She went to live with her mom at age 16 in St. Louis and graduated from Sumner High School in 1958. On the side, she worked as a nurse’s aide at Barnes- Jewish Hospital. Turner started frequenting singing clubs and fell in love with celebrity Ike Turner’s musical talent in his band, “Kings of Rhythm.” She asked Ike Turner to let her sing in the band, eventually successfully convincing him to become a featured vocalist in his band. Tina Turner’s first recording was in 1958 under the name “Little Ann.” Just a few years later she found success on both the R&B and Pop Top 100 Charts. 

 

Turner’s mainstream success was from 1966-1975. People loved Tina Turner and her now husband Ike Turner’s work so much that the duo opened for the Rolling Stones on their 1969 US Tour. After the couple’s divorce in 1978, Turner started her true solo career. She has since released numerous hits, toured around the world, and sold over 100 million records. Tuner has received 12 Grammy Awards, as well as the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1991, Turner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Turner is often referred to as the “Queen of Rock and Roll”, and is still today noted for her graveling vocals and abundant energy on stage.