"She was truly an enormously talented performer and singer," Mick Jagger wrote in his heartfelt tribute to Tina Turner after her death.
Tina Turner, the iconic 'Queen of Rock 'n' Roll', revealed her long-standing celebrity crush just one month before her passing. In an interview with The Guardian on April 8, Turner expressed her admiration for Mick Jagger, the lead singer of The Rolling Stones. Reflecting on their shared experiences touring together, Turner fondly recalled the collaboration with Jagger throughout their careers. "I always had a crush on Mick Jagger. I loved when we toured with the Rolling Stones," she told the outlet.
However, their most memorable joint performance took place at the 1985 Live Aid Festival in Philadelphia. While performing their hit song, It's Only Rock 'n' Roll, Jagger playfully tore off Turner's skirt on stage, creating a lasting and vibrant memory.
Turner's 2018 autobiography, Tina Turner: My Love Story, captured her recollection of that night, describing how she and Jagger always sought to go beyond simply standing and singing. Jagger, with mischievous intent, proposed removing Turner's skirt, to which she initially responded with surprise. Nonetheless, the impulsive decision was made, leaving Turner no time for further discussion.
I’m so saddened by the passing of my wonderful friend Tina Turner.
— Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) May 24, 2023
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. pic.twitter.com/TkG5VrdxXO
Following the news of Turner's passing at the age of 83, Jagger took to Twitter to express his profound sadness and pay tribute to his "wonderful friend". Sharing several pictures of their performances together, the 79-year-old singer wrote, "She was truly an enormously talented performer and singer." He further went on to describe her as an "inspiring, warm, funny and generous" person who had been a significant influence during his younger years. "She helped me so much when I was young and I will never forget her," he concluded.
Turner retired from her illustrious career in 2009 after completing her 50th-anniversary tour, leaving behind a legacy of timeless music. Her representative confirmed that she passed away peacefully at her home in Küsnacht near Zurich, Switzerland, after a prolonged illness. Turner's official Instagram account also released a statement expressing deep sorrow and honoring her as a cherished person who had enchanted millions of fans worldwide.
Actress Angela Bassett also paid tribute to Tina Turner. She said, "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.'" In the 1993 biopic, What's Love Got to Do With It, Bassett played Turner, which led to her first Academy Award nomination. “How do we say farewell to a woman who owned her pain and trauma and used it as a means to help change the world?” she asked per TODAY.
As the world bids farewell to Tina Turner, her music, which captivated countless souls, remains her greatest work, leaving an indelible mark on the industry and serving as an enduring source of inspiration.
References:
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/apr/08/tina-turner-interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wyuwJP-u9Q&t=260s
https://twitter.com/MickJagger/status/1661459867876356101
https://www.instagram.com/p/Csouw_FN68M/
https://www.today.com/news/tina-turner-last-words-angela-bassett-tribute-rcna86104
Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L) Photo by Roy Rochlin ; (R) Vittorio Zunino Celotto
