Tina Turner is one of those larger-than-life artists who defies categorization. She could do almost anything, and she made it bigger and more explosive than it would have been in someone else's hands. I saw her live in 1985, and the entire show was overwhelming. In addition to her singing and stage presence, she possessed a volcanic sexual energy, which never waned even as she turned 70. She only recently retired from performing.
Proud Mary
It is hard to watch this, knowing as we do now that Ike was abusing her all the while. But it is a wonderful performance, and a signature song for her. After she left Ike, she continued performing it as a staple of all her shows, and made it emphatically her own. She went on to forge a career as one of the greatest blues, soul and rock vocalists of all time, and in my view, the best voice of her generation. They say the best revenge is living well, and Tina Turner has certainly done that.
The Best
There are a lot of soul and rock divas with big voices. Tina's voice isn't just big, it's a monument. But what makes her unique is her ability to suffuse each note with anguish and exuberance at the same time. It's a quality many singers would sell their soul for.
Here is my personal favorite from her catalogue. I think it captures that emotional duality perfectly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GC5E8ie2pdM
Beyond the Thunderdome
Tina played the chief villain in the third Mad Max film, and also sang the title song. Here is the original soundtrack version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gi_IGuKx4U
Years later, here she is performing the same song as the encore to a live concert:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVPq-_t-ANw
In this video, shot in 1998, Tina makes a guest appearance in Munich with Eros Ramazzotti, a young but established Italian pop star. He does the first verse, and then she makes her entrance, and it feels like an earthquake. Her deep opening notes are surreal, almost chilling. In the second half of the song, she lets loose, grabbing Eros and whirling him around like a rag doll. At one point, he kneels down, I think in part to prevent himself from being blown off the stage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ko7qunEkmzE
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