The music world pays tribute to Tina Turner

The Rolling Stones’ Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood have led tributes to “inspiring, warm, funny and generous” Tina Turner following her death aged 83.

Multiple Grammy-award winner Turner, famous for hits like The Best, Nutbush City Limits and What’s Love Got To Do With It, died “peacefully” on Wednesday after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland.

Jagger, who duetted with her on stage during Live Aid in 1985, wrote on Instagram: “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.”

Rolling Stones’ guitarist Wood described her as “a dear friend to our family”.

Elton John said Turner was a “total legend on record and on stage”.

“We have lost one of the word’s most exciting and electric performers,” he wrote, sharing a picture of the pair together on Instagram.

“A total legend on record and on stage. She was untouchable. Condolences to Erwin and her family. The saddest news.”

Also paying tribute to the late star were US President Joe Biden and former president Barack Obama.

Obama tweeted: “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 honouring the Queen of Rock and Roll, and a star whose light will never fade.”

President Biden said: “In addition to being a once-in-a-generation talent that changed American music forever, Tina’s personal strength was remarkable. Overcoming adversity, and even abuse, she built a career for the ages and a life and legacy that were entirely hers.”

Angela Bassett, who starred as Turner in the 1993 film What’s Love Got To Do With It for which she received an Oscar nomination, said: “I am honoured to have known Tina Turner. I am humbled to have helped show her to the world.

“So on today, while we mourn the loss of this iconic voice and presence, she gave us more than we could have ever asked. She gave us her whole self. And Tina Turner is a gift that will always be “simply the best.”

Bette Midler said Turner would be performing “lead” vocals for the “flights of angels sing(ing) her to her rest”.

Middler wrote on Twitter: “Our beloved #TinaTurner has died. From #Nutbush to the top, she was an absolutely brilliant performer and inspiration to us all. May flights of angels sing her to her rest, but if I know Tina, she is singing lead.”

Diana Ross added she was “shocked” and “saddened” by the news of Turner’s death.

Bryan Adams, who collaborated with Turner on the 1985 song It’s Only Love, said she was “one hell of a powerhouse woman”.

“RIP @tinaturner. The world just lost one hell of a powerhouse woman. I’ll be forever grateful for the time we spent together on tour, in the studio and as friends.

“Thank you for being the inspiration to millions of people around the world for speaking your truth and giving us the gift of your incredible voice.”

Australia’s Roger Davies, her manager of 30 years, called Turner a “force of nature” and added that it was a “privilege and an honour” to be her friend.

Australian country singer Keith Urban said Turner had left “a matchless imprint”.

“I just heard about Tina Turner’s passing, and it hit my heart,” he wrote on Twitter.

“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.”

Debbie Harry of Blondie said: “A woman who started in rural Nutbush (Tennessee), cotton fields and worked her way to the very top. Tina was a great inspiration to me when I was starting out and remains so to this day.”

Mariah Carey said described Turner as an “inspiration to women everywhere”.

Oscar-winning actress Halle Berry recalled meeting Turner at Oprah Winfrey’s Legends Ball in 2006.

“I’ll never forget this day at the Legends Ball when I met Tina Turner!” Berry tweeted.

“She rearranged me with her conversation, her spirit, her depth of character, her grace and most of all her ability to be ordinary and a LEGEND at the time!

“The world will be missing one bright light tonight!”

Oprah Winfrey said Turner was “our forever goddess of rock ‘n’ roll”.

In a lengthy tribute on Instagram, Winfrey wrote: “She was a role model not only for me but for the world. She encouraged a part of me I didn’t know existed.”

with Reuters, AP and AAP