Tina Turner - Biography - IMDb Tina Turner Biography Showing all 65 items Jump to: Overview (4) | Mini Bio (1) | Spouse (2) | Trade Mark (3) | Trivia (45) | Personal Quotes (10) Overview (4) The Queen of Rock 'n' Roll The Burner 5' 4" (1.63 m) Mini Bio (1) After almost fifty years in the music business, Tina Turner has become one of the most commercially-successful international female rock stars to date. Her sultry, powerful voice, her incredible legs, her time-tested beauty and her unforgettable story all contribute to her legendary status. Tina Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock in Nutbush, in Haywood County, Tennessee, to Zelma Priscilla (Currie) and Floyd Richard Bullock. Her family were sharecroppers. Tina was raised in the segregated South. She and her elder sister were abandoned by their sparring parents early on, and were then raised by their grandparents. After her grandmother's death, she eventually moved to St. Louis, Missouri to reunite with her mother.

This opened up a whole new world of R&B nightclubs to the precocious 16-year-old. Called up to sing on-stage with Ike Turner 's Kings of Rhythm in 1956, she displayed a natural talent for performing which the band leader was keen to develop. Soon, Anna Mae's aspirations of a nursing career were forgotten and she began to hang around with the group. When the singer booked to record "A Fool in Love" failed to turn up for the session, Ike drafted in Anna Mae to provide the vocal with the intention of removing it later. However, once he heard her spine-tingling performance of the song, he soon changed his plans. He changed her name to Tina Turner and when the record became a hit, Tina became a permanent fixture in Ike's band and his quest for international stardom. One thing led to another: they were married in Mexico between the births of Tina's two sons - the first a result of an earlier relationship with a musician, the second with Ike. Before too long the Ike and Tina Turner Revue was tearing up large and small R&B and soul venues throughout the early and mid-1960s.

The hits were relatively few, but the unsurpassed energy and excitement generated by the live stage show (read: Tina) made the Revue a solid touring act, along with the likes of James Brown and Ray Charles . Their greatest attempt to "cross over" came in 1966 with the historic recording of the Phil Spector production, "River Deep, Mountain High". While it was a commercial flop in the United States, it was a monster hit in Europe - and the start of Tina's European superstar status, which never faded during her long stint of relative obscurity in America in the late 1970s. The Revue entered that decade as a top touring and recording act, with Tina becoming more and more recognized as the star power behind the group's international success. Ike, while having been justly described as an excellent musician, a shrewd businessman and the initial "brains" behind the Revue, was also described (by Tina and others) as a violent, drug-addicted wife-beater who was not above frequently knocking Tina (and other women) around both publicly and privately.

Despite hits such as "Proud Mary" and Tina's self-penned "Nutbush City Limits", further mainstream success eluded the group and Ike blamed Tina. After years of misery and a failed suicide attempt, Tina finally had enough in July 1976, when she fled the marriage (and the Revue) with the now-famous 36 cents and a Mobil gasoline credit card. Tina, now nearing 40, endured a long and, at times, humiliating trek back to superstardom through working many substandard gigs and performing a repertoire of current Top 40 hits and old Ike & Tina tunes in hotel ballrooms and supper clubs. She now admits she was having the time of her life at this point, simply putting together her own show and performing. She refused to wrangle for a settlement from the divorce, despite being in huge debt to all the tour promoters she had let down by fleeing the Revue. After an appearance on Olivia Newton-John: Hollywood Nights (1980), Tina - in a wise business move - persuaded Newton-John's management team to take her on.

With Roger Davies at her side, Tina's profile began to rise, and performances alongside the likes of Rod Stewart and The Rolling Stones introduced her to the rock market she so wanted to pursue. The European release of her cover of Al Green 's "Let's Stay Together" in 1983 was a major turning point in Tina's career. The record hit #6 in the British chart and Capitol Records were soon demanding a full album. "Private Dancer" was hurriedly produced in England in two weeks flat. The rest is rock and roll history. The next single - "What's Love Got to Do with It?" - became Tina's first #1 single the following year and the album hung around the Top 10 for months, spawning two further hits. At the 1985 Grammy Awards, her astonishing comeback was recognized with nominations in the rock, R&B and pop categories and rewarded with four trophies.

Since that time, the successes have just kept coming: a starring role in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985); duets with Bryan Adams , David Bowie , Eric Clapton and Mick Jagger amongst others; several sell-out world tours; a string of hit albums and awards; a bestselling autobiography, "I, Tina"; and the blockbuster biopic What's Love Got to Do with It (1993) chronicling her life. After her "Twenty Four Seven Millenium Tour" in 2000, Tina announced she would retire from the concert stage, but continue to record and play live on a smaller scale. Four years later, at age 65, she released a career retrospective entitled "All the Best" featuring new recordings, and reached #2 in the American album chart, her highest ever placing for an album there. She ended 2005 as one of five recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors, the highest form of recognition of excellence in the arts in America. Despite changing the direction of her working life, she will always be remembered as a dynamic live performer and recording artist, able to thrill audiences like no other woman in music history.

Tina Turner is the undisputed Queen of Rock and Roll. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Anonymous Spouse (2) Powerful sultry voice Trivia (45) World's most successful female rock artist ever. Record sales: over 60 million (1983-99). Has sold more concert tickets than any other female performer in history. Seven-time Grammy Award-winner. On January 28, 1985, she took part in the USA for Africa recording of "We Are the World". Turned down a role in the comedy-drama film Thelma & Louise (1991). She was with Ike Turner for 20 years, but was only married to him for 16 (she does not count the two years it took for the divorce to become final as part of her marriage). Mother of Ronnie Turner and Craig Turner. Turned down the role of Shug Avery in The Color Purple (1985), which eventually went to Margaret Avery . Had the biggest-grossing concert tour of North America in 2000. However, due to lower ticket prices, *NSYNC sold more tickets than Tina.

Because of the frequent beatings she received from former husband Ike Turner , she had to have reconstructive surgery on her nose. In 2001 rapper Fat Joe sampled a lyric from the chorus of her 1984 hit "What's Love Got to Do with It?" which was used in "What's Luv?", his hit single featuring Ashanti . Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (with Ike Turner ) and the St. Louis Walk of Fame in 1991. Angela Bassett mimed to Tina's voice when performing the musical numbers in the film What's Love Got to Do with It (1993). She was voted the 61st Greatest Rock 'n' Roll Artist of all time by Rolling Stone. In 1972 she (with Ike Turner ) won a Grammy Award for 'Best R&B Group Performance, Vocal or Instrumental' for "Proud Mary". In 1986 won a Grammy Award for 'Best Female Rock Vocal Performance' for "One of the Living". In 1987 won a Grammy Award for 'Best Female Rock Vocal Performance' for "Back Where You Started".

In 1989 won a Grammy Award for 'Best Female Rock Vocal Performance' for "Live in Europe". In February 1985 she won (with Terry Britten ) a Grammy Award for 'Record of the Year' for "What's Love Got to Do with It?". In February 1985 she won a Grammy Award for 'Best Female Pop Vocal Performance' for "What's Love Got to Do with It?". In February 1985 she won a Grammy Award for 'Best Female Rock Vocal Performance' for "Better Be Good to Me". In 1995 rapper Warren G. , along with Adina Howard , covered her Grammy-winning hit song "What's Love Got to Do with It?" for the soundtrack of Police Story 3: Supercop (1992). On Oct. 7, 1999, she received the Lifetime Achievement prize at the MOBO (Music of Black Origin) Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London. In 1994 she moved to Zurich, Switzerland. Ranked #2 on VH1's Greatest Women of Rock N Roll.

In 2002 she was ranked #6 on VH1's 100 Sexiest Artists. On Dec. 3, 2005, she received the Kennedy Center Honors. Other recipients were Robert Redford , Tony Bennett , Suzanne Farrell and Julie Harris . On Feb. 20, 2006, "Teach Me Again", her duet with Elisa , from the soundtrack of All the Invisible Children (2005), enters the Italian singles chart at #1. Movie Review - - Review/Film: What's Love Got to Do With It; Tina Turner's Tale: Living Life With Ike and Then Without Him - NYTimes.com Movie Review June 9, 1993 Review/Film: What's Love Got to Do With It; Tina Turner's Tale: Living Life With Ike and Then Without Him By JANET MASLIN Published: June 9, 1993 "What's Love Got to Do With It" begins perfectly. It presents Anna Mae Bullock (Rae'ven Kelly) as a shy little country girl singing with a church choir.

The song is "This Little Light of Mine," and Anna Mae is letting her own light shine a lot more brightly than the choirmistress wants it to. This girl can't help herself. She has a natural talent. It's a gift that will save her from poverty and obscurity, turn her into the world-famous musical dynamo known as Tina Turner, and place her in the clutches of a sexy, smooth-talking Svengali named Ike. In less confessional times, the tale of Ike Turner's stormy, violent relationship with his long-abused wife and star attraction might not have had the makings of a Hollywood biography. Even in the abridged, somewhat sanitized account given here (adapted by Kate Lanier from "I, Tina," the autobiography Ms. Turner wrote with Kurt Loder), this Touchstone Pictures release is hardly the Disney version. Forced into show business servitude no matter how sick or exhausted she might be, Tina Turner suffered years of vicious beatings, marital infidelities and other indignities.

It took vast reserves of courage for her to break free and tell her husband, "Go straight to hell, Ike." Depicted by this broad, savvy, entertaining film as a survivor and a victim in equal parts, Ms. Turner becomes an emblem of contemporary tell-all dramaturgy. She also remains something of a cipher, since "What's Love Got to Do With It" has the ring of an authorized version. As played by Angela Bassett, who transforms herself memorably into the kind of hard-working powerhouse Ms. Turner is onstage, this film's heroine is largely uncomplicated, motivated by decency and fear. The deeper, more painful side of her experience remains unexpressed, except through the film's depiction of its riveting villain. The brilliant, mercurial portrayal of Ike Turner by Laurence Fishburne, formerly known as Larry, is what elevates "What's Love Got to Do With It" beyond the realm of run-of-the-mill biography. First seen as a sinuous charmer with a pompadour and pencil-thin mustache, Mr.

Fishburne's Ike leaves no doubt as to how he was able to hold the young, sheltered Anna Mae (whom he renamed Tina) in such thrall. Early in the story, when Anna Mae has newly moved to St. Louis to be with the mother who had abandoned her in childhood, Ike is seen as a veritable human magnet. Locally famous as both a bandleader and a ladies' man, Ike gives Tina her first chance to perform onstage, then marvels in true "Star Is Born" fashion at her show-stopping talent. This scene, a nicely staged version of the standard crowd-pleaser, constitutes almost the only point in the story at which Ike displays an unselfish appreciation of what Tina can do. Smiling, cajoling and sweet-talking his way through the first part of the story, Mr. Fishburne's Ike reshapes his protegee. Ike's considerable acumen makes him understand just how Tina should dress, sing and move to best effect, and Tina obligingly becomes his creature. The film, punctuated by frequent, lively reminders of Ike and Tina's stage act and its best-known numbers, takes obvious satisfaction in charting Tina's rise to stardom.

Anyone familiar with her career will appreciate the degree to which "What's Love Got to Do With It" gets the wigs, the clothes and the choreography just right. When a film's subject is as familiar visually as Ms. Turner is, verisimilitude can become limiting and unrewarding, movie-of-the-week style. This film is wise to avoid the aspects of Ms. Turner's life that would have been impossible to recreate for a video-literate audience (like her early days on tour with the Rolling Stones) and keep the celebrity tie-ins to a minimum. Instead of dropping famous names, the film evokes the 1960's and 70's through gleefully garish props, outfits and coiffures, most notably on the perpetually hip and fashion-minded Ike. Even at his most embittered and dangerous, Ike never forgets to try and look his best. Mr. Fishburne finds something unexpectedly moving in Ike's decline, despite the terrible effect his problems had on his wife. Under the influence of drugs, Ike becomes a desperate, jive-talking mess, venting his jealousy of Tina's success in excruciating ways.

The film retains its fundamentally glossy tone despite the fact that Ike is seen beating Tina with his boot in a limousine, raping her during a domestic quarrel, blackening her eye before a performance and forcing her to leave her hospital bed when she says she's too weak to work. It understands that the dream of success that intoxicated Ike somehow damaged him as badly as it hurt those around him. "What's Love Got to Do With It" has been directed by Brian Gibson with the sweep of an old-fashioned biopic and the energy of a more contemporary kind of musical. Mr. Gibson also directed "Breaking Glass," with a punk ethos very different from this film's rhythm-and-blues atmosphere but with similar commercial verve. This biography steadily teases its audience with hints of the real Ms. Turner, who is heard on the soundtrack singing old and rerecorded versions of her hit songs. Ms. Turner also appears, at least figuratively, in those uncanny moments when Ms. Bassett pulls her lips taut, bares her teeth, flaunts her hair and legs and captures the star's muscular, kinetic stage style to a T. In the film's closing moments, when the real Ms.

Turner takes a kind of curtain call, she arrives with the power of a pop prophecy fulfilled. "What's Love Got to Do With It" is rated R (Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian). It includes violence, profanity and sexual situations. What's Love Got to Do With It Directed by Brian Gibson; screenplay by Kate Lanier, based upon the book "I, Tina," by Tina Turner and Kurt Loder; director of photography, Jamie Anderson; edited by Stuart Pappe; music by Stanley Clarke; production designer, Stephen Altman; produced by Doug Chapin and Barry Krost; released by Touchstone Pictures. Running time 120 minutes. This film is rated R. Tina Turner . . . Angela Bassett Ike Turner . . . Laurence Fishburne Jackie . . . Vanessa Bell Calloway Anna Mae Bullock . . . Rae'ven Kelly Zelma Bullock . . . Jenifer Lewis Fross . . . Chi Alline Bullock . . . Phyllis Yvonne Stickney Darlene . . . Khandi Alexander Club Owner . . . Robert Guy Miranda Lorraine . . .

Penny Johnson Ike Turner Dies at 76 : NPR Ike Turner Dies at 76 Embed Embed Ike Turner Dies at 76 Ike Turner Dies at 76 Embed Embed Heard on News & Notes Rock 'n roll pioneer Ike Turner died yesterday after a bout with emphysema. The artist was known both for his work in music and his abusive, womanizing past. Jet magazine features editor Margena Christian interviewed Turner a few months ago. She tells Farai Chideya how Turner felt about his reputation. FARAI CHIDEYA, host: Ike Turner was an architect or rock and roll. Some music historians say the first rock track ever made was his 1951 recording, "Rocket 88." (Soundbite of music) CHIDEYA: Ike Turner died at his home near San Diego yesterday. He was 76 years old and the cause of death is unknown. Jet Magazine features editor Margena Christian got to know a different side of Ike. She interviewed him a few months back and is here to talk about the late musician. Margena joins me now. Welcome. Ms. MARGENA CHRISTIAN (Features Editor, Jet Magazine): Hi, how are you? CHIDEYA: I am great.

Now, tell me about your interview with Ike back in August. Ms. CHRISTIAN: Yes. I spoke with Mr. Turner because at the time, he was going to perform in St. Louis on September 2nd for the Blues - Big Muddy Blues Festival. And one of the organizers had proposed to have an Ike Turner Day. However, the city rejected it because a women's organization, I understand, opposed having a day named in honor of Mr. Turner. CHIDEYA: So, what did you think of him before you met him and did it change at all? Ms. CHRISTIAN: When I - before I had spoken with Mr. Turner, I, like many people, only knew of what I saw from the movie and what I'd heard, and that was all I knew. And after I had spoken with him, I found him to be a very colorful, lively man, who was very candid, open and hones with his life, with his past, and who he was, and who he had become. And he was comfortable with his life and what had happened and what transpired, and where he was in his life at that point. CHIDEYA: So, you grew up in St.

Louis where his career began to take off. What else do we know about his early years? Ms. CHRISTIAN: One thing that I wasn't aware of - he did mention to me about "Rocket 88" and I, in my ignorance, wasn't - I had no idea that it was credited as the first rock and roll song; that combination of RnB and blues fusion. And he mentioned to me that Pinetop Perkins, who was a Mississippi bluesman, actually taught him the boogie-woogie, and he says that Little Richard's, "Jenny, Jenny, Jenny," actually used that - you can see his influence in a lot of the great things he did from his early career. Music was his life, and he was only 19 when he did "Rocket 88." CHIDEYA: Now, many folks know Ike Turner as the husband of Annie Mae Bullock, better known as Tina Turner.

They married in 1959, and their relationship was dramatized in "What's Love Got to do With It?" very difficult, but let's hear a little bit of one of their greatest musical hits, "Proud Mary." (Soundbite of song, "Proud Mary") Ms TINA TURNER (Singer): (Singing) Rollin' yeah. Mr. IKE TURNER (Musician): (Singing) Rollin'. Ms. TURNER: (Singing) Rollin' on the river. Mr. TURNER: (Singing) Rollin' on the river. Unidentified Group: (Singing) On the river. Ms. TURNER: (Singing) I said rollin'. Mr. TURNER: (Singing) Rollin'. Ms. TURNER: (Singing) Rollin' on the river. Mr. TURNER: (Singing) Rollin' on the river. Unidentified Group: (Singing) On the river. CHIDEYA: This song was written by John Fogerty, recorded by Creedence Clearwater Revival, and it's been covered dozens, if not hundreds of times, but this is a very special recording.

Now, Ike and Tina's style passed black music in a light that really combined rock and roll with the underpinning of soul and blues. Did he ever talk about how he saw his music? Ms. CHRISTIAN: He saw himself as a musician first and foremost, and surprisingly, he didn't see himself as the music great that some people would tell him, and that caused for some insecurities, although he knew that his music influenced many people. And one thing about Mr. Turner, people talk about what happened in the past, but there would be no Tina Turner had there not been an Ike Turner. And his reputation as a musician was legendary and remains legendary. He put St. Louis music on the map, not only in St. Louis, but also East St. Louis as well. CHIDEYA: Now, when you talk about "What's Love Got to do With It?", the film portrayed him as a violent, womanizing drug addict. Did he ever feel that the movie didn't do him justice or that the past kept following him around? Ms. CHRISTIAN: Yes. Mr. Turner was very disappointed.

First of all, as you mentioned earlier, "What's Love Got to do With It?" was a dramatization and it's a Hollywood movie. And Hollywood is built on sensationalism. While there were elements of truth in the movie, a lot of it was sensationalized. And he was very angry because he said that at the time he signed the contract with Disney, he said he signed for what he called a lousy $45,000. He had no idea he signing away his rights and that a person could betray him anyway they saw fit. And he was very angry because he said that since 1993, I allowed people to, you know, run my name through the mud and I'm not taking it anymore. He said, you know, they should get off of me. Leave me alone. I'm not going to allow people to continue to hold my hands to the fire over something that happened in the past. So, he was very disappointed that people saw the movie and that's the only thing they believe Mr. Turner to be. So CHIDEYA: So, Margena, let me ask you. Did he ever apologize to or reconcile his life with Tina Turner? Ms.

CHRISTIAN: I am uncertain because I know that he mentioned during our interview, he said that five years ago, he had written her a letter. He never sent it to her, but he said in the letter, he said, I apologize. And in it, I told her I was sorry for all of the stuff I put her and the kids through. He said I was stupid; I was inconsiderate about her feelings. I said I understand today, he said, but I can't undo what I already did. He felt as if he embarrassed her a lot and, as he mentioned, his womanizing ways, as he called it, being whorish. He said he regretted a lot of that, he said, but he couldn't undo it. And he said, my personal life and my life with her was no one else's business, but he was sorry about the things that he did to her and how he treated her, especially with the women, and some other things that happened. CHIDEYA: Well, Margena, thank you for coming on. Ms. CHRISTIAN: Thank you so much for having me. CHIDEYA: Margena Christian is the features editor of Jet Magazine.

(Soundbite of song, "It's Gonna Work Out Fine") Ms. TURNER: (Singing) Darling. Ms. TURNER: (Singing) It's time to get next to me. Mr. TURNER: Honey, that was my plan from the very beginning. Ms. TURNER: (Singing) Darling. Mr. TURNER: Uh-huh. Ms. TURNER: (Singing) I never thought that this could be. CHIDEYA: That's our show for today. Thank you for sharing your time with us. To listen to the show or subscribe to our Podcast, visit our Web site, nprnewsandnotes.org. No spaces, just nprnewsandnotes.org. To join the conversation or sign up for our fabulous newsletter, visit our blog at nprnewsandviews.org. NEWS & NOTES was created by NPR News and the African-American Public Radio Consortium. Tomorrow, can the military give you a career boost? Making professional moves in today's Armed Forces. I'm Farai Chideya. This is NEWS & NOTES. Copyright © 2007 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by Verb8tm, Inc. , an NPR contractor, and produced using a proprietary transcription process developed with NPR. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record. Tina Turner (Character) Tina Turner (Character) There may be more photos available for this character. To select more photos to be displayed in this character's gallery, click the Edit Photos link. Overview Biography: Anna Mae Bullock (born November 26, 1939), better known by her stage name Tina Turner... See more » Alternate Names: Queen Tina Turner / Tina Turner Impersonator / Tina Turner Impersonator #1 / Tina Turner Impersonator #2 / Tina Turner Impersonator #3 / Tina Turner Impersonator #4 / Tina Turner Impersonator #5 / Tinaturnerogram / Young Anna Mae Filmography ... aka "NBC's Saturday Night" - USA (complete title) ... aka "SNL" - USA (informal title) ... aka "SNL 25" - USA (alternative title) ...

aka "Saturday Night" - USA (first season title) ... aka "Saturday Night Live '80" - USA (sixth season title) ... aka "Saturday Night Live 15" - USA (fifteenth season title) ... aka "Saturday Night Live 20" - USA (twentieth season title) ... aka "Saturday Night Live 25" - USA (twentyfifth season title) Beyonce Drunk in Love: Why Jay Z's reference to Anna Mae is too much - Hollie McNish - Mirror Online Jay Z – What are you saying? Rewind. Repeat. This is what he says. “I am Ike Turner…Baby know I don’t play. Now eat the cake, Anna Mae. Said Eat the Cake, Anna Mae". Beyoncé mouthing the words behind him, smiling. Tina Turner performing (Photo: Mirrorpix) For those of you who, unlike me, are not obsessed with Tina Turner and did not watch the film of her life story – What’s Love Got To Do With It – almost 100 times, this line is from that film.

Tina Turner, real name Anna Mae Bullock, has just released her own music single and two kids come up to her at a diner asking for her autograph. Not her husband Ike's. Ike is jealous. He tells her to "eat the cake" so they can celebrate her new and independent success. She doesn’t want any. He says "Eat the cake, Anna Mae" and when she refuses, he stands up, shoves it in her mouth and across her face. Her friend and backing vocalist tries to stop him. Ike threatens her, beats her and she runs away shouting to Tina Turner, "You are dead if you stay with him." It’s one of the most humiliating scenes in a film that charts the continuous rape and beating by a jealous and violent husband of his wife; a wife who goes on to become one of the biggest music icons, rock’n’roll icons, female icons, black female icons, and icons of recovery from domestic abuse, of the 20 century. So. I just don’t get it. I hear ‘it’s just rap music’. But it’s not. There’s a lot of non-violent rap music out there. So why do it? Talk about being drunk.

Talk about enjoying sex. Talk about enjoying your passionate, drunken sex in the kitchen at a house party. All good. It's all in this song. But topping it off with a rap sing-a-long quoting words spat at a woman who was beaten and almost died but who managed to flee (unlike many in her situation), saving herself and kids from a vicious partner AND reinvent a highly successful music career? What’s love got to do with that? "Don’t judge the whole album on that song" a tweet tells me. So what do I do? Ignore it and get on with singing along to Flawless or XO instead? I dunno. For me, it’s a bit like being mates with someone who calls my mum a slag but is really kind to my granddad. I don’t think it works that way. At the end of the day, I realise Beyoncé is a popstar, not a politician. But this is too much. It’s dangerous and it’s insulting – to Tina Turner and to anyone else who has been through the hell that this loved up, happy, middle-upper class, billionaire, celebrity couple seem to be laughing off. And I really wanted to like this album.

I have been a fan of Beyonce for a long time. Argh. I just can’t help thinking now: #WhatDoesTinaThink? I didn't have anybody, really, no foundation in life, so I had to make my own way. Always, from the start. I had to go... Born: November 26, 1939 (age 77) Nationality: American Occupation: Musician, singer, dancer, author, actress Bio: Anna Mae Bullock, better known by her stage name Tina Turner, is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than half a century, earning her widespread recognition and numerous awards. Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue. The Blues . Blues Road Trip . Memphis and St. Louis | PBS Born: 1934, Memphis, Tennessee Died: July 11, 2002, New York, New York Rosco Gordon was an integral part of the Memphis Beale Street blues scene during the forties and fifties.

He created a shuffle rhythm on piano known as "Rosco's rhythm" that influenced blues, and, in the opinion of some historians, also inspired the creation of the distinctive rhythm of Jamaican ska, itself a precursor of reggae. On Beale Street Gordon worked with Johnny Ace, Bobby Blue Bland and others, and in the early fifties his song "Booted" hit number one on the R&B charts. That same year he had another hit with "No More Doggin'." Throughout his career he never matched that early success, but he did continue to record and perform. Like many bluesmen he took an extended hiatus from music to earn an alternative living, but later in his life he began performing again, and continued to do so until his death in 2002. Essential listening: "Booted," "I'm Gonna Shake It," "No More Doggin'," "She's My Baby" W.C. Handy Born: November 16, 1873, Muscle Shoals, Alabama Died: March 28, 1958, New York, New York Also known as: William Christopher Handy W.C.

Handy is widely recognized by his self-proclaimed moniker, "Father of the Blues" due to his steadfast and pioneering efforts to document, write and publish blues music and his life-long support of the genre. Although much of his musical taste leaned toward a more sophisticated and polished sound, Handy was among the first to recognize the value of the blues, and Southern black music in general, as an important American legacy. Handy was an accomplished bandleader and songwriter who performed throughout the South before continuing his career in New York. He came across the Delta blues in the late 1890s, and his composition "Memphis Blues," published in 1912, was the first to include "blues" in the title. Some historians don't consider "Memphis Blues" to be an actual blues song, however it did influence the creation of other blues tunes, including the historic "Crazy Blues," which is commonly known as the first blues song to ever be recorded (by Mamie Smith in 1920). A Memphis park was named after Handy in recognition of his contribution to blues and the Blues Foundation recognizes the genre's achievements annually with the prestigious W.C. Handy award. Essential listening: "St.

Louis Blues," "Yellow Dog Blues," "Beale Street Blues" Albert King Born: April 25, 1923, Indianola, Mississippi Died: December 21, 1992 Also known as: Albert Nelson As a child an enterprising Albert King reportedly built his own guitar out of a cigar box. A brilliant guitarist in his own right, King was originally inspired by Texas blues great Blind Lemon Jefferson. Like B.B. King, he was a master of single string solos and used the technique of "string bending" to great emotional effect. He was also left-handed, and instead of restringing the guitar, he just learned to play it upside down, which added an original tone to his style. His blues are infused with a Memphis soul sound; he became a rock and blues star after signing to the Memphis-based Stax label, which was responsible for some of the finest soul music ever recorded. King always managed to keep his sound fresh and original, and had a significant impact on blues and rock; he has influenced Eric Clapton, Robert Clay, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Otis Rush, among others.

He had the honor of playing San Francisco's Fillmore West on opening night with John Mayall and Jimi Hendrix and often shared the bill with rock artists throughout his career. King continued to tour until his death in 1992. Essential listening: "Don't Throw Your Love on Me So Strong," "Crosscut Saw," "Born Under a Bad Sign," "I'll Play the Blues for You" B.B. King Born: September 16, 1925, Indianola, Mississippi Also known as: Riley B. King B.B. King's career has spanned five decades and taken him from the clubs of Memphis to the finest concert halls in the world. He's known as the King of the Blues, and for his enduring and successful efforts as a gracious, respected blues diplomat he deserves much of the credit for the genre's mainstream popularity and recognition. Early in his career King worked as a Memphis disc jockey, where he was known as the Beale Street Blues Boy, which was later shortened to B.B. Although King's roots are in Delta blues, his sound has always been more polished, probably due to his wide variety of influences, which include jazz, gospel and pop.

King's highly influential style  probably originally inspired by Texas blues greats Blind Lemon Jefferson and T-Bone Walker  features "single string" guitar solos that are so well-integrated with his commanding vocals that it's sometimes hard to tell the two apart. He also "bends" the strings, which continues the sound in a way that enhances the music's emotion. He has influenced countless blues and rock artists, including Buddy Guy, Jimi Hendrix, Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton, Johnny Winter and Jeff Beck. King continues to record and perform as powerfully as ever. Essential listening: "How Blue Can You Get," "The Thrill is Gone," "Sweet Little Angel," "Paying the Cost to be the Boss" Memphis Minnie Born: June 3, 1897, Algiers, Louisiana Died: August 6, 1973, Memphis, Tennessee Also known as: Lizzie Douglas Memphis Minnie was an accomplished guitarist, banjo player, vocalist and songwriter whose career was long and prolific, and she won the enduring respect of her contemporaries, male and female.

Her talent had an impact on Memphis's famed Beale Street blues community as well as both the pre-war and post-war Chicago blues scene. She established herself on Beale Street during the 1920s, then moved to Chicago in 1930, where she reportedly regularly won guitar playing competitions, beating out the best of them, including Big Bill Broonzy, Tampa Red, and Muddy Waters. In addition to her superb musicianship, her performance featured rich vocals with a deep, full tone. Her songwriting, often conveying a purely female perspective, was as gutsy and suggestive as any of her male counterparts, and many of her originals have become classics. Among her many contributions to the blues, she was also known for her kindness and generosity toward up and coming blues musicians. In 1971 Led Zeppelin recorded its take on her original "When the Levee Breaks"  a testament to the timeless appeal of her music.

Essential listening: "Bumble Bee," "I'd Rather See Him Dead," "Moaning the Blues," "When the Levee Breaks," "Hoodoo Lady" Willie Nix Born: August 6, 1922, Memphis, Tennessee Died: July 8, 1991, Leland, Mississippi Willie Nix was an innovative drummer and gifted lyricist as well as vocalist, and was an integral part of Memphis's Beale Street blues community during the late forties and early fifties. Nix originally began performing as a tap-dancer when he was very young  his creative sense of rhythm as a drummer likely had its roots in his instincts as a dancer. Nix recorded and played in both Memphis and Chicago, and worked with legendary bluesmen in both cities, among them Junior Parker, B.B. King, Elmore James, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Bobby Blue Bland. Nix eventually moved back to Memphis and continued to be a local fixture in the blues community. He performed on and off until his death in 1991.

Essential listening: "Truckin' Little Woman," "Nervous Wreck," "No More Love" Junior Parker Born: March 27, 1932, West Memphis, Arkansas Died: November 18, 1971, Chicago, Illinois Also known as: Herman Parker, Jr. Junior Parker was known for his prowess as a vocalist, bandleader, songwriter and harmonica player, but it was his voice  which music historians describe as "honeyed," "velvet-smooth" and "magic carpet"  that brought him real fame. Parker was mentored in the subtleties of blues harp (harmonica) by the blues legend Sonny Boy Williamson II, and joined Howlin' Wolf's band when he was still a teenager. He was part of Memphis's famous Beale Street blues community. Reportedly one of talent scout Ike Turner's many discoveries, Parker recorded for Sun records in the early fifties; his rendition of the self-penned "Mystery Train" made it to number 5 on the R&B charts and was later covered by Elvis Presley.

Parker's recordings would make the charts many more times throughout the decade and into the early sixties. During the late fifties Parker led a highly successful R&B revue, Blues Consolidated, which also featured fellow Beale Street vocalist Bobby Blue Bland. Though he never was able to sustain the fame he'd achieved during the fifties, Parker continued working as a recording artist and performer throughout the sixties. Essential listening: "Mystery Train," "Next Time You See Me," "Barefoot Rock," "Feelin' Good," "Love My Baby" Sam Phillips Born: January 1, 1923, Florence, Alabama Died: July 31, 2003, Memphis, Tennessee Sam Phillips has had an enormous impact on music, particularly blues, rock and roll and rockabilly. As an innovative producer and owner of Memphis's legendary Sun Studios, Phillips made his mark on music history by discovering and recording such legends as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins and others. Slightly earlier in his career, however, Phillips recorded many blues legends, including Howlin' Wolf, B.B. King, Little Milton and Junior Parker.

Sun Studios is often called "The Birthplace of Rock and Roll"  in 1951 Phillips recorded the legendary single "Rocket 88," which is often referred to as the first rock and roll record. The song reached number one on R&B charts and helped put Memphis on the musical map. Phillip's obvious gift for bringing out the best in his recording artists is evident on early Sun recordings, which are also known for their live, vital sound. Sun Studios still exists in its original Memphis location. Essential listening: "B.B. Blues," "My Baby Walked Off," "I Found a New Love," "Lookin' for My Baby" (from Blue Flames: A Sun Blues Collection, Rhino-Sun) Ike Turner Born: November 5, 1931, Clarksdale, Mississippi Also known as: Izear Luster Turner, Jr. Ike Turner has been an integral part of the history of blues, rock and R&B. As a pianist and guitarist he backed visiting bluesmen and performed with his own band, the Kings of Rhythm, while still in high school.

He worked as a talent scout in Memphis and throughout the south, and as such he accelerated the careers of Howlin' Wolf, Little Milton and others; as a session musician he often backed up the talent he discovered. Turner's band recorded the song "Rocket 88" in 1951 (recorded under the name Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats), which hit number 1 on the R&B charts and is often called the "first rock and roll song." The band became very popular in St. Louis, and in the late fifties Turner added vocalist Annie Mae Bullock to the mix (who later changed her name to Tina Turner and married Ike). The band became the Ike & Tina Turner Review, and made R&B and rock history, charting singles, packing black nightclubs and touring with the Rolling Stones. Tina left the band and the marriage in 1974; subsequently Ike experienced some hard times, and his career faded. He later made a comeback, and continues to record and perform.

Essential listening: "Rocket 88," "Shake a Tail Feather," "Proud Mary," "Steel Guitar Rag," "I'm Lonesome Baby," "Tore Up," "Ike's Theme," "Catfish Blues" Peetie Wheatstraw Born: December 21, 1902, Ripley, Tennessee Died: December 21, 1941, East St. Louis, Illinois Also known as: William Bunch Peetie Wheatstraw began performing in 1929, the year of the Great Depression, and enjoyed enormous popularity in spite of the devastating economic conditions and lulls in the careers of other artists. He was a talented songwriter and commonly addressed rather dark themes  the supernatural, death, sex and addiction  yet his music was uplifting due to his witty lyrics and the wide range and expressive, buoyant quality of his vocal delivery. His juxtaposition of dark themes with a message to appreciate life is perhaps partly why his music was so surprisingly successful during such trying times.

Wheatstraw was primarily a piano player and worked with excellent guitarists, including Kokomo Arnold and Lonnie Johnson; he and Johnson were a recording and performing team for 10 years. He reportedly took his name from an "evil twin" character from black folk tales, and during his career he was also nicknamed "The Devil's Son-in Law" and the "High Sheriff of Hell." Wheatstraw died while celebrating his 39th birthday when, reportedly, he and his buddies tried, and failed, to beat a speeding train. Essential listening: "Suicide Blues," "You Can't Stop Me From Drinking," "The Devil's Son-in-Law," "Peetie Wheatstraw Stomp"

Question: By what name did Annie Mae Bullock become better known in the music world?
Answer: Tina Turner