Anna Mae Bullock was born on November 26, 1939, in Brownsville, Tennessee. She is of African American, Navaho and Cherokee ancestry. At the age of 16, she moved to St. Louis, Missouri and was discovered by Ike Turner, a pioneer of early rock and roll whom she married in 1960. She began as a vocalist when she was 18 years of age but soon she became the highlight of the show led by Turner and his “Kings of Rhythm.” The Ike and Tina Turner Revue was very popular and very well known throughout the country. Ike and Tina had one child together and Ike had two sons by a prior relationship. There was also another son that Tina bore by Raymond Hill, a saxophone player in Ike’s band.
For Ike and Tina Turner, there were several hits during the 1960s and early 1970s, including “A Fool In Love” and “River Deep- Mountain High” (with Phil Specter). Many of their recordings didn’t reach the charts, but their popularity still grew through their live performances. Their signature hit came in 1971 with their version of “Proud Mary”. But the years of physical abuse and Ike’s rampant drug addiction took their toll on their relationship and Tina left Ike in 1975 with nothing more than 36 cents in her pocket and a gas card. She asked for no marital property in the divorce, retaining only the use of the stage name that Ike had given her.
Her last world tour, which ended in 2002, was the top-grossing act of the year and there is no question that Tina Turner is the most successful female rock n’ roll artist in history. She has also sold more concert tickets than any other female performer in history! Although born a Baptist, Tina has become a Buddhist and credits her new faith as the empowerment behind her courage and ultimate success as a performer in her own right.
Keep on truckin’ Tina! Go, go, go!