Saturday, May 27, 2023

TONS MORE TINA

Tina Turner, who passed away peacefully at her home in Switzerland on Wednesday (May 24th), was described as passing “after a long illness” … but no further information was forthcoming.

However, other health issues that plagued the star over the years were fairly common knowledge, including intestinal cancer in 2016, a kidney transplant in 2017 and a stroke in 2013. Tina had also been living with high blood pressure for much of her life.  (After her stroke, it is reported that Turner’s kidneys were only operating at 5%.Much of this was also attributed to her uncontrolled high blood pressure.  She underwent dialysis in order to make herself strong enough to endure a kidney transplant … and her current husband, Erwin Bach, was the donor.  The years of mental stress caused by her marriage to Ike Turner also cannot be ruled out as a factor.

She once commented (in both her memoirs and her 2021 documentary) that she had thoughts of suicide during her relationship with Ike Turner ... and admitted that she once attempted suicide before eventually getting out of the relationship in 1978.

"I chose death, and I chose it honestly," she wrote.  "I was unhappy when I woke up. But I never tried it again because I made an important realization, one that changed the course of my life. I came out of the darkness believing I was meant to survive. I was here for a reason."

In the documentary she said, “It wasn’t a good life. The good did not balance the bad.  I had an abusive life, there’s no other way to tell the story. It’s a reality. It’s a truth. That’s what you’ve got, so you have to accept it."  (kk)

Angela Bassett, who portrayed Tina Turner in the film “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” spoke to The New York Post about what it was like meeting the REAL Tina Turner … and the last words she ever spoke to her …

https://nypost.com/2023/05/24/angela-bassett-remembers-tina-turners-last-words-to-her/

Here’s a piece written by Harvey Kubernik …

https://bestclassicbands.com/tina-turner-interview-6-18-21/

And, speaking of Harvey Kubernik …

Author, music historian and documentarian Harvey Kubernik makes his third visit to "Coast to Coast AM with host George Noory" on Friday night, June 2nd, 10:00 pm (PST). The program is syndicated to hundreds of radio stations in the U.S. and Canada by Premiere Networks. 4.5 million listeners. America's # 1 Audio Company. Reaching 9 out of 10 Americans Every Month. Harvey will be discussing music documentaries, classic rock, a few of his 20 books, Tina Turner, music streaming and the current state of concert business.

Listen to the podcast:

-iHeart: https://ihr.fm/2Gi5PFj

-Apple: https://apple.co/2ndmpvp

http://www.twitter.com/lefsetz

Harvey also sent us this piece to share with our readers … 

Harvey Kubernik / Tina Turner 1975 Interview for the now defunct "Melody Maker."

During 1991, Tina and Ike Turner were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 1993, the biopic What’s Love Got to Do with It, loosely based on Turner’s life, became a film directed by Brian Gibson, which starred Angela Bassett as Tina Turner. Ike Turner was portrayed by Laurence Fishburne.  

On October 19, 2018, My Love Story, a second memoir from Turner was published by Atria, a division of Simon & Schuster.  Expect more confessions and explosive details about former husband Ike Turner, Tina’s solo musical recordings, concert triumphs and romantic bliss over the last few decades. 

In this autobiography Tina Turner reveals she was battling kidney disease in 2016 and underwent a kidney transplant in Switzerland during 2017 and the donor was her husband, Erwin Bach, a German record executive. They were married in 2013.    

In 2018 Tina Turner was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

March, 2019, also marks the 50th anniversary of Ike & Tina Turner’s Outta Season album released on Blue Thumb Records in 1969.  Tina and Bob Krasnow were the producers of the disc that spawned the single “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” which landed in the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

I think about Tina Turner today and the U.K. celebration show of her journey landing in New York during 2019. Tina’s revealing and healing rage comes to the Broadway stage.

I witnessed Ike & Tina Turner Revue dynamic performances a handful of occasions in the late sixties around Southern California. 

I caught them in June, 1969, as one of the support acts for the Jimi Hendrix Experience at Newport ’69 in Northridge, California.  In November, 1969, I experienced their act twice in one very long night on November 8th when The Rolling Stones ’69 U.S. tour rolled into Inglewood at the Fabulous Forum.  Ike & Tina opened for The Monkees at the Hollywood Bowl in 1967.

On July 4, 1975, I saw the Ike & Tina Explosion at the Concerts at The Grove nightclub on Wilshire Blvd., formerly The Coconut Grove venue, at The Ambassador Hotel.

I reviewed it for the July 26, 1975 issue of Melody Maker. I wrote, “Tina, clad in a revealing black dress, stomped and romped in front of Ike’s impressive funky rhythms on guitar. Tina is on the brink of well- deserved solo success, and her forthcoming solo LP, along with her Tommy performance. Only makes her career with Ike even stronger.”      

Thinking about Tina Turner, I am reminded of Tony Funches, a former Vietnam veteran, a friend of mine from West Los Angeles College, who in November 1969 was head of Rolling Stones’ security and served as Mick Jagger’s bodyguard. Terry Reid, B.B. King and Ike and Tina Turner were the opening acts on the Stones’ ’69 United States tour.    

For some reason I didn’t see Tony on campus again during last quarter 1969 and all of 1970. I never knew why.

Needless to say, when I first saw the movie Gimme Shelter with fellow classmate Bob Sherman in Hollywood, we immediately looked at each other when Tony Funches initially appeared on screen.  In a Muscle Shoals recording studio session during a playback of “Wild Horses” and later protecting Jagger around the group’s airstream trailer in the madness of Altamont.

We both marveled, “Hey-isn’t that Tony from school?”

I am grateful to report in 2015 I re-connected with Tony Funches at the former residence of Jim Morrison in Laurel Canyon. In 1970 and ’71, Funches was Morrison’s confident and bodyguard.   

Two friends and hardcore fans of The Doors encountered Tony at a hotel bar in Denver, Colorado. And when my name was mentioned, Funches immediately demanded my phone number.   

When we eventually rendezvoused, Tony was carrying a copy of my Canyon of Dreams The Magic and Music of Laurel Canyon and wanted me to autograph it.

We talked for six hours, followed by a meal at Barney’s Beanery. Afterwards, Doors’ drummer John Densmore came by the house and drove Tony off.

Welcome to Hollywood …

Earlier in the day, Tony reminisced about the Rolling Stones, Ike and Tina Turner and B.B. King ’69 trek. 

“The Stones always supported black talent. I’ll give Keith and Mick props on this. Along with Charlie Watts and Mick Taylor, Ian Stewart, all of the Stones very early on, when I became associated with them, had no problem standing on their hind legs in front of me and extolling the virtues of all these artists that they had idolized as kids. And that impressed me quite a bit to hear that coming from them.

“Before the ’69 tour in Hollywood we saw Little Richard when he played the Whisky a Go Go. Mick and Keith jammed at Thee Experience with Bob Diddley and Mick saw Chuck Berry at the Whisky. Mick and Keith and the entourage went to the Ash Grove to check out Taj Mahal. 

“I was with Mick and Keith when all the overdubbing and mixing were going down on the track ‘Gimme Shelter’ at Elektra Studios on La Cienega and then also at Sunset Sound.    

“I remember The Ed Sullivan Show taping at Television City in Hollywood. Little Richard was in the audience. We also went to the Whisky to see Hugh Masekela and the Chicago Transit Authority,” he recalled.

“Mick Taylor visited Flash Records on East Vernon Ave. Keith wanted to take the Stones to the 5-4 Ballroom in downtown L.A. where Dinah Washington, Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, Muddy Waters and James Brown had played.

“They knew about the 5-4. And in fact, I told them, ‘You are not going in there. It’s upstairs, there is one door in and one stairway up and one stairway down. Once you are inside if the bullets start flying you got nowhere to go except fall over the balcony or get trampled by everybody tryin’ to run down the stairs. So forget about the 5-4. Do you understand me?’   

“Etta James used to play the 5-4 and jumped off the bandstand. In fact, broke her wrist on one of the women in the audience, wrapped her hand up, climbed back up on the stage and finished her set. ‘Do you understand what I’m saying Keith? You aren’t going to the 5-4 Ballroom. Period!’ 

“The Stones are tied to the musical legacy of L.A. Modern and Kent Records. Ike and Tina along with B.B. King had been on both of those record labels.

“B.B. was a gentleman. Wonderful cat. I was aware of his manners, his professionalism, how kind he was to everybody. Not arrogant or rude. Gracious, polite, well spoken.

“On that ’69 tour, Ike Turner led that band every night.  A consummate professional. Ike had been in the business before I was born. He was part of the St. Louis and Chuck Berry rhythm and blues community and wound up in L.A. Anna Mae Bullock was from Nut Bush, Tennessee. Ike had his initial success as an arranger. 

“Backstage Tina was busy. ‘Don’t mess with that woman. Leave her alone and stay out of her way.’ Yes she was gorgeous, but any woman who has that much energy and commands a room the way she can, give her space and peace. Stay out of her way. ‘Yes mam.’ Besides, Ike had a derringer and straight razor on him at all times. (Laughs). I ain’t ready to die over this woman,” volunteered the late and memorable Funches.  

Recently, while playing Ike & Tina Turner’s “I Idolize You,” and currently researching a1963-1973 time piece book about the Rolling Stones, I contacted the music journalist and esteemed author Stanley Booth and asked him to reflect on Tony.

Booth penned three books essential for any music library: Dance with the Devil: The Rolling Stones and Their Times, Rhythm Oil: A Journey Through the Music of the American South and Keith: Standing in the Shadows. 

“I was with the Rolling Stones when I met Tony Funches,” emailed Booth. “Steve Stills and some of his crowd had a house somewhere in the vast and mysterious Hollywood Hills, and the Stones had rented it, among other places, for a few days before starting their 1969 United States tour.  

“The first time I was at that house with the Stones, Tony greeted the car we were in at the front gate.  He was, as ever, cool, pleasant, quiet, strong, competent.  (Also big black and handsome.)  I liked him right away and in the years since have never stopped liking him.  Tony is one of Nature’s Noblemen.  My life has been enriched by his friendship.  

“Tony will not be forgotten.”

I admired bandleader Ike Turner as a founding father of the rock ‘n’ roll and just dug the way Tina and the Ikettes moved on stage and delivered the Ike-picked repertoire.

I was an avid collector of the recordings by the duo on the record labels Sue, Modern, Kent, Tangerine, A&M, Loma/Warner Bros., Blue Thumb, Minit, Liberty, and United Artists.    

I fondly remember a fall 1975 interview I conducted with Tina Turner, following a dinner I had with her at Chasens restaurant near Beverly Hills.     

Tina was quite impressed when I told her as a youth I had lived with my family first in downtown Los Angeles, then in Crenshaw Village and graduated from West Los Angeles College in Culver City, which was very near Inglewood and Bolic Sound Studio, where she recorded with Ike and close by their house at the time in View Park.  

Our interview was published in the October 11, 1975 issue of Melody Maker.  The headline read Tina Turner: Acid Queen.

"I've talked to a lot of reporters lately because of the Tommy movie and we decided to call the album, Acid Queen, to help capitalize on my role in the movie," suggested Tina Turner in our interview inside Bolic Sound

Clad in a white jumpsuit, Tina is sharp, articulate and candid. The Turners' musical revue is 15 years old, but it wasn't until the late sixties that the American public finally accepted the intimacy of an Ike and Tina concert.

Brownsville, Tennessee, is the birthplace of Tina and she's come a long way since she started her career singing as Annie Mae Bullock in talent shows and the gospel choir in Knoxville. In the mid-Fifties, Annie Mae moved to St. Louis with her sisters, and subsequently met Ike Turner. Tina soon joined Ike's group, the Kings of Rhythm.

In 1959, Ike wrote a number entitled “A Fool in Love” for a singer who never showed up for the recording session. But Tina was familiar with it and stepped in, since studio facilities were paid for in advance. It became a gem on Sue Records.

“River Deep, Mountain High” was a smash in England and the Come Together LP, which contained the hit Beatle tune and their cover of “Honky Tonk Woman,” climbed high on the national charts. Subsequent successes have included the million-selling “Proud Mary” single, a gold album What You Hear Is What You Get (Live At Carnegie Hall), and the hit single and album, Nutbush City Limits.

"We toured for years with all the English groups and I always liked what they were singing about,” enthused Tina, who in 1966 at Colston Hall in Bristol, England in a hallway corridor taught Mick Jagger an interpretation of the sideways pony dance in front of Marianne Faithfull, Brian Jones, and Keith Richards.   

"I've wanted to do an album like Acid Queen for some time," she explained. "There's a lot of Mick Jagger's songs that we haven't gotten around to doing. The concept of the album came from my producers, Denny Diante and Spencer Proffer. At first the album was going to be called, The British Album, with the whole album full of British songs.”

There are four other English numbers on the album: “Under My Thumb,” “Whole Lotta Love,” “'I Can See For Miles,” and “Let's Spend The Night Together,” which complete the first side. Side two features five original compositions, with “Rockin' And Rollin'' and “Baby – Get It On” the most striking.

"But Ike sent out word that he wanted the album out immediately,” said Tina, “so after I did a commercial for Dr. Pepper, earlier in the day, I did the vocals at nine o'clock in the evening and hardly got a chance to learn the songs.

"The album was a bit rushed, but I've done it this way before. We've done a lot of albums without spending that much time on them. All that was left was for me to cut the vocals 'cause Ike, Denny and Spence got everything else together.

"We were in Seattle a few years ago in a record store and I heard this bass riff opening on ‘Come Together.’ I said ‘I had to do that song,’ the same with 'Proud Mary.’ I've been trying to get Ike for two years to record it. We've always done other people's songs successfully and it's not uncomfortable doing songs by the Who, Led Zeppelin and the Stones.

"Ike and I haven't got the time to develop as songwriters 'cause we spend so much time in the studio and on the road. And there's a lot of good music to be covered."

She's very much a solo force these days, and for the first time there are press kits with pictures of Tina sans Ike. "It's still the Ike and Tina show," she reinforced. "Ike and I are singing a bit more together on stage, and maybe all the Tommy promotion has put a bit more of the focus on myself.

"We've been trying all these years to get to the point where the whole show is sharp. When we went into Las Vegas we changed the show around and the Ikettes added six songs to the repertoire. They're much better now. All these years we've wanted the whole package to be good. 

"Ike selects the songs and there's a tremendous amount of preparation for our tours."

Her Tommy cameo appearance seemed to get the most applause from theatre patrons. Ike & Tina's previous celluloid performances.  The Big TNT ShowGimme Shelter, and Soul To Soul, just mirrored the show act. 

"Tommy was a whole new trip for me, getting into a room and turning into a mad woman. At first I didn't want to play the part of a prostitute. But it was a challenge and it called for drama. That's what acting is all about.

"Travelling across the country now people are beginning to know me as the 'Acid Queen.’ The audience is screaming for the song when we perform live."

Sexuality has become a trademark of the Ike and Tina spectacle. Her use of bold expression, unlike most performers, goes beyond the tease category. Some felt the show exploits sex. Whatever, no-one talks when she performs.

The show is toned down for the supper club circuit; a slight degree of hesitation, but there's always a huge amount of suggestiveness.

But, she sternly says: "I never felt we've used sex as a gimmick in our program. It's important today because, people who pay to see a show want a little of everything.

"The sexual portion of our show isn't planned; it just happens. It works out well visually and it always seems to get the most audience response. Everybody needs an image. There's a million groups out today; flipping, smoke bombs, dancing – fortunately, everybody can't be sexy. We've discussed it a thousand times. The miniskirts and see-through dresses.

“People's minds do wander. We may do a song like 'I've Been Loving You Too Long,’ and work with it. Every time we do it, the song changes. Sometimes I really have a lot of fun with that song because people expect something to happen. 

"For years we've gotten reviews that seem to dwell on the sexual aspect of the show. I've never felt people gaining sexuality after seeing our show. But I like them to remember what they have just seen. I've never really thought of our show as being aggressive. Even as wild as I am I know that I maintain my femininity. People have always told me that.”

The times have changed for the black musicians and entertainers. Tina cited some of the horrible scenes and often miserable bookings where there weren’t places to sleep, the tour bus never got a chance to stop and band members were subject to numerous racial incidents.  

"The biggest change started happening when we were working around L.A. in 1966 and ran into Phil Spector,” underscored Tina. “He wanted to record me and when we cut 'River Deep, Mountain High' Mick Jagger, who was visiting Phil at the time, was in the studio.”

In a 1988 Goldmine interview with arranger Jack Nitzsche at his Hollywood Hills residence, Jack discussed “River Deep, Mountain High” and the landmark recording session at Gold Star studio.

Brian Wilson, Dennis Hopper, Mick Jagger and Rodney Bingenheimer were in attendance. The song written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich and Spector, was released initially on Spector’s Philles Records.    

“Phil was the co-writer on the song. Phil embellished the song and was the producer. I’ve talked to Gerry Goffin about that a lot; Phil co-writing songs that he would produce. Phil would always have the writers come over and write in the room with him, and I knew he directed it. They all say the same thing; that without Phil Spector in the room that song wouldn’t have been that way. He helped. He knew what he wanted it to be.

“I know Phil Spector helped write ‘River Deep, Mountain High.’  Phil said, 'I've got a song for Tina.' I went over to Phil's house and went over the arrangement note by note. When Phil played me ‘River Deep, Mountain High’ on the piano I knew it was a great song.

“We did the rhythm track in two different three-hour sessions. Even during the cutting of the track, when she was putting on a scratch vocal, Tina was singing along as we cut it. Oh, man, she was great, doing a rough, scratch vocal as the musicians really kicked the rhythm section in the ass.

“Tina was the vocalist. Background groups doubling and tripling so it would sound like two or three dozen voices. Phil would spend a lot of time with the singers. I would split and he’d still be working on lines with the singers. The rhythm section and the horns were done together. Vocals and string parts were overdubbed later,” detailed Jack. 

“Once in a while a vocalist would run through a song, but this time Tina made everybody play better. When I first heard the intro I didn't like it very much, but once it was being recorded it all made sense. It was real good.” 

“I like to have all the musicians there at once,” Spector stressed to me in a 1977 interview conducted with him inside his Beverly Hills mansion for the new defunct Melody Maker. “I put everything on 24 tracks just to see if it’s plugged in. The finished track never ends up on more than one track. I record basic tracks and then put it all onto one track or maybe two. The musicians I have never outdo me. I’m not in competition with them. I’m in complete accord with them. Then I condense. I put my voices on.  Singers are instruments. They are tools to be worked with.

“You tell me how many names you immediately remember in the cast. One? Two? It's the same with Fellini, and that's what I wanted to do when I directed a recording.”

“River Deep, Mountain High” only reached number 88 in the U.S. Billboard singles chart, but a number 3 position in the U.K. market.

As a teenager, Rodney Bingenheimer, now a Sirius XM deejay and on air host on Little Steven’s Underground Garage channel went to the recording session of "River Deep, Mountain High."

"I was in Hollywood and went to Wallichs Music City record store on Sunset Blvd. and Vine St. Rodney recalled." I was listening to records in one of their booths and ran into Brian Wilson, who was also in the store. I told Brian that Phil was doing a session at Gold Star down the street. He said, 'Let's go!' We walked to Gold Star. The first person I saw was Mick Jagger. He was wearing a mink fur-coat. Mick kept leaving the booth to use the telephone and call a girl.

“Brian and I never left the studio booth during the recording of 'River Deep, Mountain High.’  You don't leave when you're at something like this. We were transfixed. Jack and Phil were very tight. They were like co-pilots on the Concorde from a flight from France. Dennis Hopper showed up. He took photos and did the front cover photo for the River Deep, Mountain High album that came out much later. He was very quiet.

“Phil was screaming like a madman during the sessions. Tina was loud and sexy. She was wearing a wig, Go-Go boots and very sixties. The engineers were Larry Levine and Stan Ross. Phil was in control!

“Brian didn't say a word. He soaked it in and sat there stunned. Tina's vocals kept on soaring. Some of the musicians wore Alpaca sweaters. Phil and Jack dressed like kids. They wore clothes from DeVoss and Beau Gentry, where The Beach Boys, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones shopped. And everyone wore Caesar cologne. Even the bottle looked great. Diamond-shaped dark glasses and puffy-sleeve shirts, boots. They didn't look like record company people. They were listening to the song as it was played over and over. It was in the pocket. Jack liked rock 'n' roll, and any type of black music.

“After the session, I walked home and couldn't sleep. Later, I could never hear the song on local radio, like the other Phil Spector songs. Something weird happened when the single was released. It didn't get very much airplay. I was happy it was a real big hit in England. I even had to buy 'River Deep, Mountain High' as an import at a record shop on Hollywood Boulevard called Lewin Record Paradise," Rodney sighed.

John Lennon called “River Deep, Mountain High” a “masterpiece.”  George Harrison provided a front jacket blurb on the Spector produced Ike & Tina Turner River Deep, Mountain High album: "It is a perfect record from start to finish. You couldn't improve on it."

“River Deep, Mountain High” also impressed Mick Jagger.

In our 1975 interview, Tina reminisced, “After hearing the song he wanted us to tour England in 1966 with the Rolling Stones. The English weren't used to seeing girls with high-heeled shows and I think they were shocked a bit.”

In 2007 I asked Andrew Loog Oldham, who managed the Rolling Stones and produced their 1963-1967 recordings, about that fabled 1966 tour.

In ‘66 Oldham hailed “River Deep, Mountain High” in his own paid-for advertisement in the weekly Disc and Music Echo periodical.   

“The '66 tour with Ike & Tina Turner and the Yardbirds was a give something-back-to-the- fans-type of thing.  Ike & Tina were a 17-piece review; you were not making money putting them on the bill. 

“On top of that, Tina had had the Phil Spector record in July, ‘River Deep, Mountain High,’ that we had championed and if we, the Stones and I, were not going to bring them over -- nobody else was. And the U.K. deserved to see what we had been fortunate enough to witness in the U.S.  Long John Baldry was the host of that tour. We had so much music on the bill we could only offer him the compere spot. John was the beginning for so many - the hope. We wanted to honor that by having him on the tour.” 

As a junior high teenager in 1966, I read about “River Deep, Mountain High” but never heard it on the AM radio in Los Angeles. It never charted on KHJ’s Boss 30. In fact, the only time Ike &Tina Turner appeared on a Boss 30 playlist was for “I’ll Never Need More Than This” on June 14, 1967.  Although The Real Don Steele and Sam Riddle, station deejays during their 1965-68 shifts, on occasion, did spin “Goodbye Baby, So Long,” an Ike & Tina 1965 single on the Modern label. 

“Mick then came to the States in 1969 and asked us to tour America with him later in the year,” confirmed Tina in our 1975 dialogue. “That's when it happened.

"We played the Forum, Madison Square Garden, and all the big arenas. Like Vogue said it best: ‘They came to see Mick Jagger but they saw Ike and Tina and they've been comin' ever since.’ From there on we crossed over to the pop market and it's been that way ever since.

"We just returned from a tour in Southern France and every night we got three, four and five encores. We're much bigger in Europe than here in America. We'd need a lot of hits to be as big here. I feel we're totally accepted in Europe. I'll always remember Europe and England for making 'River Deep, Mountain High' a hit.’”

In 1975, Tommy brought a rash of talk show interviews for Tina, and national and local press coverage has bloomed. The press in general, however, has exploited the Turners, while turning up nasty rumors and juicy gossip.

“I'm not a worrier. I've read a few things over the years that I laugh about. 'She must be over 50' or, 'Ike messes around with the Ikettes.' It goes in one ear and out the other. We laugh about it. If it's really shocking you can't let it bother you." Then she grins. "Some of it is true. There are a few incidents that I can't live down, like the time in Las Vegas when I was running around the stage in my heels and I slipped because we were using the bubble machine. Wham!

"I fell, spread out across the floor, with my crotch to the audience. Luckily I wasn't hurt."

© Harvey Kubernik, 1975  © 2019

From Chuck Buell …

TINA TURNER:  SIMPLY THE BEST

Billboard Magazine remembers Tina Turner’s #1 Hit …

https://www.billboard.com/music/chart-beat/tina-turner-whats-love-got-to-do-with-it-forever-number-one-1235340553/#recipient_hashed=fa7e92da6f6e66bffcf0bcbf863670c6eb37d7159eb4d0ea1e44fecd5ec87eeb&recipient_salt=3a1d6b09af3b92ad7e38f8327cf18febeb049fd1c9a251b66957a07d9375735c

CNN’s coverage of Tina’s death …

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/tina-turner-defined-herself-as-more-than-an-abuse-survivor-and-we-should-too/ar-AA1bJTEZ

From Tom Cuddy ...

Tina Turner Is the 10th Singer From ‘We Are the World’ All-Star Charity Single to Die
https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/tina-turner-we-are-the-world-10-singers-dead-1235341550/

I also read that at the time of her death, Tina was still earning about $3.7 MILLION a year in royalties on her back catalog.  That is simply AMAZING to me!

(Which, of course, prompts The Tina Turner Hit List!!!)  kk

THE TINA TURNER HIT LIST

As Ike and Tina Turner:

1960 – A Fool In Love (#19)

1961 – I Idolize You (#49)

1961 – It’s Gonna Work Out Fine (#14)

1961 – Poor Fool (#23)

1962 – Tra La La La La (#50)

1966 – River Deep, Mountain High (#88) – a flop – but included for its iconic status as a Phil Spector production – a MUCH bigger hit in England than it was here in The States

1970 – Come Together (#49)

1971 – Proud Mary (#4)

1971 – Ooh Poo-Pah Doo (#37)

1973 – Nutbush City Limits (#22)

As Tina Turner

1984 – Let’s Stay Together (#24) – pretty amazing after an eleven year lay-off!

1984 – What’s Love Got To Do With It (#1)

1984 – Better Be Good To Me (#4) – if ANYBODY ever had the right to sing a song with THIS title, it has to be Tina Turner!!!

1985 – Private Dancer (#7)

1985 – Show Some Respect (#35)

1985 – We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) #2

1985 – One Of The Living (#12)

1986 – It’s Only Love (#12) with Bryan Adams

1986 – Typical Male (#1)

1987 – Two People (#26)

1987 – What You Get Is What You See (#13)

1989 – The Best (#12)

1990 – Steamy Windows (#39)

1993 – I Don’t Wanna Fight (#5)

1993 – Why Must We Wait Until Tonight? (#39)

2000 – When The Heartache Is Over (#50)

A pretty impressive list, no???  (kk)

A nice tribute and retrospective can be found here …

https://theseconddisc.com/2023/05/24/in-memoriam-tina-turner-1939-2023/

Lots more celebrity tributes …

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 honoring the Queen of Rock and Roll, and a star whose light will never fade. – Barack Obama

Before she was the Queen of Rock and Roll, Tina Turner was a farmer’s daughter in Tennessee. As a child, she sang in the church choir before becoming one of the most successful recording artists of all time. 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. Jill and I send our love and prayers to her husband Erwin, the rest of the Turner family, and fans around the world who are mourning today for the woman they agree was “simply the best.” – President Joe Biden

I am deeply saddened by the loss of Tina Turner. Her powerful voice and strength will forever be etched in our hearts and memories. She paved the way for so many of us in the music industry and her legacy will continue to inspire generations to come. – Christina Aguilera

The words legendary, iconic, diva, and superstar are often overused and yet Tina Turner embodies them all and so many more - an incredible performer, musician and trailblazer. To me, she will always be a survivor and an inspiration to women everywhere. Her music will continue to inspire generations to come. Rest in Peace, Queen -- Mariah Carey

The day I met you, Ms Tina, I couldn’t believe I was standing in the presence of your greatness!! (Thanks to my big sis @oprah!!!) I got to celebrate and thank you for all the love you’ve poured out around u. The songs you sang gave us courage to step out and be our full selves. You are a fierce force as a woman and a performer! All of these things have been beacons of light for not only me, but all the people around the world finding ourselves and our fearlessness, through our vulnerability!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of our hearts beautiful big sister! Rest well! We love and adore you infinitely!  -- Alicia Keys

Speaking of whom …

I started out as a fan of Tina Turner, then a full-on groupie, following her from show to show around the country, and then, eventually, we became real friends. She is our forever goddess of rock ‘n’ roll who contained a magnitude of inner strength that grew throughout her life. She was a role model not only for me but for the world. She encouraged a part of me I didn’t know existed. 

I had the chance to join Tina onstage during her “Wildest Dreams” tour and felt a glimpse of her enchanted world. I was so nervous that my knees were actually knocking together. Dancing onstage with her in Los Angeles was the most fun I ever remember having stepping out of my box. Tina lived out of the box and encouraged me and every woman to do the same.

Once she claimed her freedom from years of domestic abuse, her life became a clarion call for triumph. I’m grateful for her courage, for showing us what victory looks like wearing Manolo’s and a leather miniskirt. She once shared with me that when her time came to leave this earth, she would not be afraid, but excited and curious. Because she had learned how to LIVE surrounded by her beloved husband, Erwin, and friends. I am a better woman, a better human, because her life touched mine. She was indeed simply the best.  – Oprah

Tina Turner’s impact on music and entertainment will live on forever. She was a true original, a true superstar. – Berry Gordy

RIP my dear Tina Turner.  I'll be forever grateful for you bringing me on tour, going in the studio together and most of all, being your friend. Thank you for being the inspiration to millions of people around the world, for speaking your truth and giving us the gift of your unbelievable voice. My condolences to Erwin and your family. It's Only Love ... and that's all. 

❤️ -- Bryan Adams

I’ll never forget this day at the Legends Ball when I met Tina Turner! 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!  -- Halle Berry

Rest in peace to one of my favorite artists of all time, the legendary queen of rock n’ roll Tina Turner. I’ve seen her many many times and hands down, she gave one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen. She always gave you your moneys worth. – Earvin Magic Johnson

I’m devastated, what a woman! A friend and mentor - ‘It takes two’ - but there was only one Tina Turner – Rod Stewart

We went to Ghana together in 1971 for the Soul to Soul Tour. Her meteoric energy on stage was in such contrast to her gentle, kind and quiet demeanor off stage.

My friend, Tina, thank you for inspiring us to always be everything we were meant to be – regardless of life’s challenges. A woman without limits. You will always be my hero. – Roberta Flack

One of the greatest legends of rock and roll and soul has passed. She was a force of nature and paved the way for all of us rockers. RIP Tina Turner – Sheryl Crow

This is a sad day for music. The Queen of Rock’n’Roll has passed. Tina Turner, we honor you ! Your legacy will live forever. U showed us all what it means to have the grit and determination to never stop, no matter what life throws our way ! Thank u for all you’ve given us. Now rest in peace ! –Jennifer Hudson

There will never be another like Tina Turner. The voice, the legs, the energy — unmatched. My heart goes out to her family and all who loved her. You were able to overcome the worst of life and create the best of life. Godspeed, Tina. You were, and you are simply the best. – Nancy Sinatra

Truest rocker. Greatest performer. Most profoundly sexy woman. What a dynamo, what a story, what a heroine. Always an energy inspiration for me, always tapping the source. Tina forever. Man. Always been in awe of her and the infinite power. -- Flea

THIS JUST IN:  Me-TV will be running a special Ed Sullivan Show episode tomorrow night (Sunday, May 28th) at 10 pm Eastern spotlighting Tina Turner

And, speaking of tomorrow, be sure to look for a brand new Sunday Comments Page ...

Tomorrow in Forgotten Hits! (kk)

Thursday, May 25, 2023

TINA TURNER

Music has lost another icon ...

And love has absolutely EVERYTHING to do with it.

Tina Turner died yesterday at the age of 83.

 

Anna Mae Bullock made her name as Tina Turner, first as the shake-your-stuff, raspy-voiced vocalist in The Ike and Tina Turner Revue back in the 1960's ... 

And then again as a solo artist in the 1980's, when she scored six Top Ten Hits of her own, far eclipsing Ike and Tina's own recording career accomplishments. 

She was, without question, one of the sexiest women to ever perform on stage ... 

But she backed that image up with pure, raw talent ... and was in demand as a vocal partner as well.

(Much has been made over the years about The Jimi Hendrix Experience opening for The Monkees on their tour in 1967 ...

But DIDJAKNOW that ANOTHER opening act for The Pre-Fab Four earlier that same year was The Ike and Tina Turner Revue?!?!

One has to wonder if any 11, 12 or 13 year old girl attending those concerts back in the day was affected by seeing this dynamic band perform ... or if they were simply so enthralled at the prospect of seeing their teeny-bop heroes, they even noticed!)

Tina's relationship with Ike can be discussed some other day ... it's the kind of story that Academy Award Winning Movies are made about.  Today, we celebrate all of her accomplishments. 

The twice-inducted Rock And Roll Hall of Famer enjoyed a stellar career, DESPITE all of the obstacles thrown her way ... whether it be the racism that existed throughout our country when she was just breaking into the business or the spousal abuse she endured later in life.

Today, we celebrate that life ... and all the joy she brought us.

As expected, tributes have been pouring in ...

Here are just a few ...

“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." - Mick Jagger

“So so heartbroken to hear that Tina Turner has passed away. I knew she has been ill but never thought this day would come. Tina and I were close back in the day. We both recorded “River Deep, Mountain High,” worked with Phil Spector, performed on Shindig together and broke into the business around the same time. There will NEVER be a performer like Tina Turner again! She was one of a kind!! Icon, legend, warm-hearted, hard working, legs for days, hitmaker, pioneer, hardest working artist, survivor!! She was simply the BEST! " - Darlene Love

"I loved her version of 'Proud Mary.' It was different and fantastic. I was also so happy because she chose my song and it was her breakthrough record.” - John Fogerty

“I’ll be forever grateful for the time we spent together on tour, in the studio and as friends,” the Canadian star wrote. “Thank you for being the inspiration to millions of people around the world for speaking your truth and giving us the gift of your voice. It’s Only Love and that’s all.” - Bryan Adams

“Tina 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.” - Bette Midler

‘RIP Tina Turner … such a force of nature that there will never be another like her. I was so honoured when she recorded ‘Fool For Your Love’ (a song I co-wrote with Michael Omartian) on her 1979 ‘Love Explosion’ album. She also sang with me in the 80’s on my TV series in the UK and I feel blessed by all the rare and wonderful times I got to spend with her. Heaven will sure be shaking it’s tail-feathers tonight!!!!!’ - Leo Sayer

"Tina Turner was one of Elvis' favorite performers. When she took the stage, it was pure magic. I remember how she held an audience with an energy that was undeniably pure Tina! She has left a remarkable legacy and will be sorely missed by all."  - Priscilla Presley

And Elvis just HAD to be singing about our girl here, right???

 

 

And my favorite ...

  

A couple of photos by Henry Diltz, sent in by Harvey Kubernik, courtesy of Gary Strobl at the Diltz Archive 



KENT:  

Just about everyone knows the Tina Turner story, but on her passing on
Wednesday, I couldn't help and smile remembering one of my several
encounters with her during my days as WPLJ-New York's VP of Programming for
19 years.

During Tina's first visit to WPLJ after she made her comeback on Capitol
Records, she was in my office and noticed an assortment of retro candy I
always had on hand.  When her eyes spotted the red Atomic Fireballs, she
asked if she could have one. I said take as many as you'd like.

Tina explained she fell in love with the fireballs back in the 60s and wasn't aware they still made them.  

When I saw she only put two of them in her pocket, I said, Tina you never know when you'll see the fireballs again,
please feel free to fill your pocketbook with them.  I grabbed a handful of
them and she opened her pocketbook.

When she left, she thanked me profusely for them.

Three years later when she was scheduled to return for an interview at WPLJ,
I thought it would be a fun surprise if I ordered one of those big plastic
containers they had in candy stores where they display the fireballs. The
container of 260 fireballs arrived a few days before she came by.  When she
unwrapped the present, she became very excited and said "This is the
highlight of my week. Thank you for remembering." And then gave me a hug.

I'll never forget the hug!

-Tom Cuddy
 Program Director
 710 WOR/iHeart Radio
 New York, NY

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Some More Mid-Week Murmurings

Man, Kent, you come back home from a few days away and BAM! A voluminous Forgotten Hits post jammed with a huge variety of your signature great information! Whew!

 

And the award for my favorite line in today’s offerings goes to . . .

Frannie for her Jimmy Buffet line about the nature of his medical issue "sounding a bit more serious than that time he “blew out his flip flop when he stepped on a pop top and broke his leg twice, having to limp on back home!”

 

Runner up, of course, is your line, “it was fun to hear Toto’s “Hold The Line” come on the radio at the most opportune time for me to say “I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore, Toto!”

 

You continued with that in Iowa, they charged you $120 to get from one place to another in an expeditious amount of time! I can only imagine at the conclusion of your exchange with the Iowan gendarme who wanted to talk with you for a moment, you called up Steppenwolf for another Forgotten Hit line ~~~

 

Officer:  “Now, get your motor running. Head out on the Highway. And drive safely. Sir.”

Kotal ( leaving the scene ): “Born to be Wi-i-i-l-l-d!!”

 

Glad to hear that overall, your Dad Pride was Full watching Paige perform so wonderfully and that your trip overall was favorably memorable!

 

CB ( which stands for Re-"Cap Boy!" )

 

I can assure you that the ONLY reason I was able to pull together a Tuesday This And That Page was because I happened to take off on Monday to recuperate from the long drive!  (lol)  Even this comes as a bit of a bonus as work hours have been absolutely killer lately.  (We’re short-handed and incredibly busy right now … so 13 and 14 hour days have become the norm for the last several weeks.  With the long holiday weekend coming up … and no long drives planned … maybe we’ll actually be able to rest up a bit!)

 

To All:  

I know postings are going to remain limited for a while yet as there are SO many other things I need to dig into … but please continue to send in your thoughts and we’ll run ‘em when we can!  Thanks to everybody for their patience, support and understanding.  (kk)

 

I was in Kansas City, MO, about six years ago for a survey fest. Of course, I had to check out 12th Street & Vine. At the time, there was really no indication that the intersection had any special meaning, outside of the decorative bench. It was just a park. I took a photo.

 


Tom Johnston of the Doobie Brothers is having emergency back surgery? Now you're talking about something I know about.

I see Tom is about 16 months older than I. If he thinks he's rejoining the tour anytime soon, he's wrong … not at age 74. His physical therapists will have to be miracle workers.

This is assuming the problem gets corrected the first time, and that's not necessarily a safe assumption.

Since August, 2020, I've had a neck surgery and five back surgeries. I can't see Tom standing, and playing guitar, for as many as 5 - 7 nights a week, not at age 74.

On the 13th, I went out busking for the first time in about a year. Tom's lucky … he has roadies to carry his guitar. I don't. I believe I only went busking once last year. How the hell I used to do this 5 - 7 nights a week for 3 - 4 hours a night, or longer, after putting in an eight hour work day, escapes me. A back brace will help, but not that much. You still have to bend and that's not gonna happen. He'll be right back in the hospital.  It is now seven months after my last surgery and I still can't do any repetitive bending, let alone standing for more than a couple minutes, and then holding a guitar. I have to sit the whole time. Still, I played for two hours. I will be trying again on June 9th. The summer world tour must continue. Gotta pay those medical bills somehow.

Tom, I assume you're an avid reader of FH. If not, why not? Have your people call my people. I'll let you know what you can expect. It's a lot harder than touring. If you're ever in the neighborhood, stop by.

Jack

Wow, we didn’t see that beautiful park area when we went to Kansas City last weekend!  And we drove around in circles for a bit, too, trying to find a spot to pull over and take a picture.  (As it was, we STILL had people laying on their horns because we were holding up traffic!)  The area we saw was absolutely one of the poorer parts of town … and set up very much like the projects here in Chicago.

I know FAR too many people who have had to have repetitive surgeries for the same affliction … it seems to me, we as a society should be getting SMARTER when it comes to properly diagnosing these things … but when I hear from people who are on their third of fourth hip, I’ve really got to wonder.

And having been thru back surgery myself, believe me when I say I feel your pain.

I’m sure Tom is hoping to rejoin the band by August (if not sooner) … and honestly, these days seeing some of our heroes perform from a chair has become far more status quo than we probably ever would have thought.  (Not sure how Chuck Berry would have done his infamous duck walk while sitting in a chair … but fortunately we never had to experience that!)  kk

 

And, speaking of The Doobie Brothers, just this in from FH Reader Bob Frable …

 

Hopefully this gets published before Sunday …

CAUTION:  The Doobies Brothers’ concert at Charlotte Motor Speedway requires a ticket to the same-day NASCAR Coca-Cola® 600 ... at least 36 racers, 400 laps, 600 miles … easily a four-hour thing following the music!

Bob

Wow! I wonder if it was advertised that way???  Buyer beware, I guess!  (kk)

 

Because of the way the charts are calculated today, my guess is that we’ll be seeing some Donna Summer hits back on the charts now that the documentary on her life has become available thru HBO Max.

And hot on the heels of this, Christie’s has announced an auction for the personal items of Donna Summer!

Scheduled to go up on the block for auction are some of her Gold and Platinum awards, an inscribed photograph, her Grammy nomination and many clothing items.

From Christie’s official press release:

Donna Summer remains a cherished figure in the hearts of many: the undisputed queen of disco for her global fanbase, as well as a multifaceted artist, devoted wife, and loving mother to her family. With enduring classics such as ‘I Feel Love’, ‘Love to Love You Baby’, and ‘Bad Girls’, Donna Summer not only revolutionized the music industry but also continues to captivate and energize dance floors for both longtime admirers and new generations of fans. The Collection of Donna Summer showcases the ascent of this legendary star through essential memorabilia, including her numerous RIAA gold 45’s, handwritten lyrics, and iconic performance outfits from around the world. The collection also offers an intimate glimpse into her personal life through candid Polaroids taken at home and during her travels, as well as several of her evocative paintings, which she treasured as a favorite pastime.

Bidding for the collection will be open from 15-29 June. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, the Save the Music Foundation, and the Elton John AIDS Foundation—charitable organizations that were dear to Donna Summer during her lifetime and continue to hold significance for her family today.

More info at Christie’s …

https://www.christies.com/en/auction/the-collection-of-donna-summer-21005-nyr/

(The auction will take place at 10 am Eastern on June 15th, 2023.  (kk)

Thanks to the writers strike, we’re getting nothing but late night reruns these days …

But here’s one you might want to check out if you missed it the first time around …

 

THIS JUST IN …

FYI: On Thursday night, May 25, 2023, NBC is going to re-air the JIMMY FALLON TONIGHT SHOW episode that originally aired back on February 27, 2023. It featured appearances from: American model and TV personality Gigi Hadid, American actor Chase Stokes, American Actor Micky Dolenz and a musical performance from American singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley.

David Salidor


Monday and Tuesday Night marked the celebration of TWO Jeff Beck Tribute Concerts organized by Eric Clapton and held at Royal Albert Hall.  The guest list … and the set list … was really quite remarkable!

On hand to lend their support and musical talent was an all-star line-up that featured Eric Clapton, Billy Gibbons, Ronnie Wood, Gary Clark Jr, Rod Stewart, John McLaughlin and Johnny Depp (among others)

Each night’s set list consisted of:
Blue Rainbow – Eric Clapton, EC Band
Shapes Of Things – Eric Clapton, Doyle Bramhall, EC Band
Heart Full Of Soul – Eric Clapton, Doyle Bramhall, EC Band
Wee Wee Baby- Eric Clapton, EC Band
Little Brown Bird – Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks, EC Band
Done Somebody Wrong – Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, EC Band
The Sky Is Crying – Eric Clapton, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, EC Band
Beck’s Bolero – Eric Clapton, Doyle Bramhall, Ronnie Wood, EC Band
Elegy For Dunkirk – Olivia Safe, Robert Randolph, Jeff Beck Band
Isolation – Johnny Depp, Kirk Hammett, Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck Band
Walkin’ In The Sand – Johnny Depp, Imelda May, Ronnie Wood, Jeff Beck Band
Goodbye Porkpie Hat – Derek Trucks, Chris Stainton, Jeff Beck Band
You Know You Know – John McLaughlin, Jeff Beck Band
Stratus – John McLaughlin, Jeff Beck Band
Rough Boy – Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck Band
Rice Pudding – Billy Gibbons, Ronnie Wood, Chris Stainton, Jeff Beck Band
Train Kept A Rollin’ – Johnny Depp, Kirk Hammett, Ronnie Wood, Billy Gibbons, Imelda May, Jeff Beck Band
– Intermission –
Freeway Jam – Eric Clapton, Robert Randolph, Doyle Bramhall, EC Band
I Put A Spell On You – Eric Clapton, Joss Stone, Robert Randolph, EC Band
‘Cause We’ve Ended As Lovers – Eric Clapton, Gary Clark, Jr., EC Band
Let Me Love You – Eric Clapton, Gary Clark, Jr., EC Band
Infatuation – Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, EC Band
Rock My Plimsoul (Rock Me Baby) – Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Ronnie Wood, EC Band
I Ain’t Superstitious – Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Gary Clark, Jr., EC Band
People Get Ready – Eric Clapton, Rod Stewart, Gary Clark, Jr., EC Band
Going Down – Everyone

Eric Clapton Band – First and Third Set
Eric Clapton
Nathan East
Chris Stainton
Doyle Bramhall
Sonny Emory

Jeff Beck Band – Second Set
Rhonda Smith
Anika Nilles
Robert Stevenson