Notebook
May 6th, 2008 by Hannah

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It looks like performing at the Grammy Awards earlier this year was all it required to inspire Tina Turner to get back to work. The Queen of R&B will start her first post-retirement tour in Kansas City in October.

Tina will make the official announcement for the tour this week on Oprah, but the show to air May 12 was recorded last week in Las Vegas. The show was shot in front of an audience of 4,000 so the news is not really a secret.

The now 68-year-old Tina Turner retired after her last tour in 2000. The Queen went out of top with the highest grossing tour of that year.

Tina originally made her name with former husband Ike in the Ike and Tina Turner Revue. They scored global hits with ‘Nutbush City Limits’ and a soul version of Credence Clearwater Revivals ‘Proud Mary’.

After suffering beatings from her husband, the couple divorced in 1978.

In 1984, Tina revived her career as a solo artist with the massive hit ‘Private Dancer’. She won Record of the Year for ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ at the Grammy Awards the following year.

The 80s placed Tina in the superstar category. The hits that flowed included ‘Let’s Stay Together’, ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’, ‘Show Some Respect’, ‘Better Be Good To Me’ and ‘Steamy Windows’.

Tina recorded duets with David Bowie, Rod Stewart, Bryan Adams and Australia, Jimmy Barnes. With Barnes, she re-recorded her classic ‘The Best’ for a TV commercial for football.

February 19th, 2008 by Hannah

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Aretha Franklin really got pissed when Beyonce deemed her Grammy’s duet partner Tina Turner as ‘The Queen’ but Beyonce’s father Matthew decided to come to the defense of his daughter by releasing a statement to People on Thursday. He says “Something this ridiculous — it’s childish, it’s unprofessional. And it’s a sad day when egos get bruised because somebody used the word king, queen, prince or princess.”

So not only is Aretha not a queen but she’s also a child. The Queen of Soul should really be pissed now! Watch out Matthew, Aretha might unleash the girls on you and have her chest crush your head.

January 28th, 2008 by Hannah

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Beyoncé Knowles must be ecstatic, and probably just a little nervous, following reports of what must be a dream come true for many artists these days.

The Grammy awards are up and coming. Britney Spears is reportedly banned from the building after her ridiculed performance last year and it is doubtful whether Amy Winehouse will be allowed in the country, never mind the building.

But one performance I shall definitely be tuning in to see is the duet between Beyoncé and Tina Turner. The Crazy In Love star and music legend will join forces at the prestigious award ceremony on February 10. An insider said, “We don’t know what they’ll be singing yet, but it is sure to be an amazing performance.”

Beyoncé, 26, has never made a secret of her admiration for ‘Simply The Best’ singer Tina, and even performed her hit ‘Proud Mary’ during a tribute to the star in 2005.

Well it’ll be Proud Beyoncé after the performance I am sure. If I look a bit green that’s because I am…green with envy.

December 26th, 2007 by Hannah

Tina Turner: The Musical

The biggest tell all that you’re a diva is when your life is chosen to be turned into a musical. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Tina Turner.

The musical ‘Simply the Best’ is currently aiming for a London debut with a stint on Broadway to follow. The show will feature Tina’s music and will really be about Tina in general. The musical is said to paint the late music legend Ike Turner in a very negative light. Well how else would you portray her ex-husband who beat hear and was a cokehead, like he’s the greatest person to ever walk the earth?

December 14th, 2007 by Hannah

RIP Ike

He was credited with helping craft the very first rock and roll song in 1951; Rocket 88. Then he became paired with his wife; who swiftly overshadowed him and most people probably haven’t given him a second thought except whilst enjoying one of Tina’s concerts.

I am of course talking about Ike Turner. Commonly known for his bullying and ogre-like behaviour towards former wife Tina; the 76 year old has passed away.

He died at home and no cause of death has been released yet. Drugs? Old age? Or perhaps great envy and massive guilt regarding the huge success that Tina has rightfully received? He could have died a legend; instead I doubt that in the fame department many will miss him.

RIP Ike.

September 14th, 2007 by Hannah

A live album originally released by Ike and Tina Turner in 1969 will make its CD debut in a three-disc career retrospective billed as the couple’s first boxed set.

The package, “The Ike and Tina Turner Story: 1960-1975,” is due in stores October 2 via Time Life.

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In addition to such favorites as “Proud Mary,” “Nutbush City Limits,” and “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long,” the box includes the complete album “In Person,” which originally came out on the small Minit Records label in 1969. The disc boasts live covers of tunes like “Everyday People,” “Respect” and “Son of A Preacher Man.”

All told, the boxed set features 49 tunes, spanning the duo’s 1960 breakthrough “A Fool in Love,” which went to No. 2 on the R&B charts, to the 1975 cover of Pete Townshend’s “Acid Queen.”

The Turners divorced the following year following a tumultuous relationship recounted in harrowing detail in Tina Turner’s 1986 memoir, “I, Tina.” After almost a decade in the wilderness, she launched a massive comeback with the 1984 album “Private Dancer.”

Ike Turner, one of the originators of rock ‘n’ roll, toiled in relative obscurity, dealing with drug and legal issues, but has rebounded in recent years. He received a Grammy in February for his latest album, a blues release.