Tributes have been pouring in for the legendary singer Tina Turner who has died at the age of 83. The music icon, who had hits including Proud Mary and The Best, passed away after a long illness, her publicist Bernard Doherty confirmed.
In a career spanning over 60 years she won eight competitive Grammy Awards including record of the year for What's Love Got To Do With It She also received three Grammy Hall of Fame Awards and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, giving her a total of 12 Grammys.
Tina, widely referred to as the Queen of Rock and Roll, has a star on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the St Louis Walk of Fame. In a statement, a representative for the singer said: "Tina Turner, the 'Queen of Rock'n Roll' has died peacefully today at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Kusnacht near Zurich, Switzerland. With her, the world loses a music legend and a role model."
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Tina was born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939, in Nutbush, Tennessee, USA. She became famous in the late 60s as the singer of the band Ike & Tina Turner Revue, but became successful worldwide as a solo artist.
She had global hits including What's Love Got To Do With It, Private Dancer and The Best, with more than 180 million albums sold. Roger Davies, the singer's manager of 30 years, paid tribute to the star, saying: "Tina was a unique and remarkable force of nature with her strength, incredible energy and immense talent. From the first day I met her in 1980, she believed in herself completely when few others did at that time. It was a privilege and an honour to have been a close friend as well as her manager for more than 30 years. I will miss her deeply."
Singer Rick Astley hailed Tina Turner as "one of the greats" in an online tribute. "What a woman, what a life, what a voice!" he tweeted. "One of the GREATS! Such sad news. R.I.P."
American singer Gloria Gaynor hailed Tina Turner as an "iconic legend." She tweeted: "I am so, so very sad to hear of the passing of @TinaTurner , the iconic legend who paved the way for so many women in rock music, black and white. She did with great dignity & success what very few would even have dared to do in her time and in that genre of music."
Singer Ciara thanked Tina as she said: "Heaven has gained an angel. Rest in Paradise Tina Turner. Thank you for the inspiration you gave us all." And British hitmaker Paloma Faith hailed Tina Turner as being one of her "greatest influences and inspirations"."
Paying tribute she wrote on Instagram: "I can't even begin. Really, I can't. Tina you were probably one of my greatest influences and inspirations.
I grew up with you in the background of my childhood and all through my time learning my craft I always returned to you. I am forever grateful I saw you live several times. I am forever in awe of your soul fire and energy. No one comes close."
She added: "Thank you for all the gifts you gave me, and us, as women, to be empowered and stand up for ourselves and be counted by turning our pain into a force of nature. You really were incredible... RIP."
Model Naomi Campbell also paid tribute saying: "Rest in Peace & Power THE QUEEN , LEGEND, ICON. There will never be another. Cherish my times with you."
The official Instagram account of Tina Turner hailed the singer's "boundless passion for life" and said she had "inspired the stars of tomorrow". It posted a black-and-white picture of Turner, with the caption: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner.
"With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly."
Aldwych Theatre, the current home of the West End show Tina The Musical depicting the late singer's life on her journey from her humble beginnings into a rock 'n roll star, said it was "so proud to tell her story".
The theatre tweeted: "Rest in peace Tina Turner, Queen of Rock 'n' Roll. We are so proud to tell her story on our stage and celebrate such a formidable woman with audiences of all ages. Our thoughts are with her family at this time."
And songwriter Diane Warren, who wrote her song Don't Turn Around, described her as a "survivor and a badass." She also tweeted: "Every note she sang shook the room and shook your soul. There will never be another like her. Shake the roof off of Heaven Tina Turner."
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