DAVID BIANCULLI

Founder / Editor

ERIC GOULD

Associate Editor

LINDA DONOVAN

Assistant Editor

Contributors

ALEX STRACHAN

MIKE HUGHES

KIM AKASS

MONIQUE NAZARETH

ROGER CATLIN

GARY EDGERTON

TOM BRINKMOELLER

GERALD JORDAN

NOEL HOLSTON

 
 
 
 
 
The Strength and Driving Force of a Music Icon: 'Tina'
March 27, 2021  | By David Hinckley  | 90 comments
 


And so a TV week that began with a series on Aretha Franklin wraps up with a documentary on Tina Turner.

It must force-of-nature week on cable television.

Tina, a two-hour straight documentary, premieres Saturday at 8 p.m. ET on HBO, and while Tina and Aretha were different singers with different stories, it's hard not to notice a similarity or two.

That starts with their sheer power as musical performers. It also has to include the fact that Turner, like Franklin, had to break away from a dominating and sometimes abusive man.

Ike Turner was Tina's musical partner as well as her husband for 14 years, and since Ike was a skilled and influential musician, their collaborations feel as vibrant and fresh today as they did 60 years ago.

From early songs like "Don't Play Me Cheap" or "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" through later crossover hits like "Proud Mary," Ike and Tina became a brand – which is why years later we were shocked to hear Tina say Ike was so mentally and physically abusive that she attempted suicide.

Throw in the hit 1993 bio-pic What's Love Got to Do With It, in which Laurence Fishburne played Ike as almost demonic, and Ike and Tina became embedded in popular culture as the ultimate perpetrator and victim.

So, it was irresistibly sweet when Tina broke through on her own in the 1980s, eight years after she left Ike, with the Private Dancer album and the single also titled "What's Love Got to Do With It."

Tina dutifully follows that whole storyline. In fact, it spends most of its two hours on how Tina fell in with Ike, fell out with Ike, and finally carved out a life of her own.

The story is so familiar to even casual music fans that Tina doesn't have much to add except the occasional random detail. Still, it's well-told, and the producers wisely include extensive vintage music clips that confirm both Ike's musical skills and Tina's performing skills.

Blossoming from a girl who picked cotton with her sharecropping family into the Tina Turner who dominated a stage is quite a story in itself and one on which Tina does not focus.

Sometime someone should.

What gets more direct attention in Tina is the internal contradiction with which Turner herself says she has been wrestling for more than 40 years.

She repeatedly insists, both in vintage interview clips and in a series of new interviews done for this documentary, that she doesn't like talking about the past. Or thinking about the past.

The memories are too painful, she says, whether they concern Ike's actions or her own passive response.

Her hope each time she has told the story, she says, is that this particular telling would finally put Ike in the past and let her focus on the better things that happened after she left him. 

She hoped that would happen, she says, after she first told the story to People magazine in the 1970s.

She hoped it would happen after the Fishburne movie.

She hoped it would happen after her 1980s solo success.

She hoped it would happen after her autobiography.

She hopes it even now, she says, with Tina.

It hasn't, and it probably won't. Each time she resurfaces, interviewers dust off all the Ike questions. The truth is that the first sentence of her obituary, which with any luck won't be written for many years, is almost guaranteed to mention Ike Turner.

Who died in 2007.

So even though Tina was done with Turner's blessing, and even though she talks at the end about how happy she has been in recent years, enjoying the fruits of hard work and the admiration of the music world, she hasn't shaken an undertone of frustration.

Even on the pastoral Swiss estate where she lives with her second husband Erwin Bach, Ike is walking the grounds.

It was under Ike, she admits, that she grew from a small-town Tennessee farm girl into the singer who could work a stage until she owned it.

Ike always maintained that he created Tina, and self-serving as that sounds, there's a measure of truth in it. The lurid celebrity dirt aside, he's part of her music and part of her story – just not as big a part as she is.

When Tina divorced Ike, she reiterates here, the only thing she wanted to take with her was the professional name he gave her.

That was enough.

 
 
 
 
 
Leave a Comment: (No HTML, 1000 chars max)
 
 Name (required)
 
 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
OFCEW
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 5  | Go to page: 
90 Comments
 
 
Additionally, Wegmans CTNL CMFRt 12PK comes with user-friendly packaging, making it easy to handle and store.
Sep 23, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
The 0.68 firing pin is preferred for its precision and consistent overall performance, elevating the query: is the 0.68 firing pin OK with 6GT?
Sep 11, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
La Fuori is a captivating short film that skillfully captures the essence of feeling out of place. Through its evocative imagery and nuanced storytelling, it immerses viewers in a world of emotional and physical displacement.
Sep 10, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Milo
La Fuori is a breath of fresh air, seamlessly blending modern aesthetics with innovative design. It’s a true testament to creativity and originality. La Fuori
Sep 10, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed reading your blog posts. Any way I'll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you post again soon. Big thanks for the useful info.
Sep 6, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Saephanch
I need an advice. I am currently processing a crypto recovery,with an agency called, Email: alliancedigitalrecovery@outlook.com
Whatsapp: +44 7452 247277 and we did some transaction validation. Out of 200k USD which was lost they where able to recover 90% of my lost, and I have only received only 60k USD and its been four days already since we started. I am a bit worried, i will like to know if they took the remaining of my money or if it is actually impossible to recover entirely everything i lost?
Aug 26, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Scott
To whom it may concern,

There is a tech expert that can help you in recovering all the money lost to scammers online. It recently worked for me and I now have peace of mind after the huge recovery of all my lost funds. If you are a victim of online scams then I will advise you contact them with the details below.

Email: alliancedigitalrecovery (AT) outlook.com
Whatsapp: +44 7,,4,,5,,2,, 2,,4,,7,,2,,7,,7
Aug 26, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
IOP has helped me develop a healthier mindset.
Aug 15, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Detox Nashville truly understands the struggles of addiction and provides the necessary tools for recovery.
Aug 11, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Holistic approaches to addiction treatment address both the mind and body, promoting overall wellness.
Aug 7, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Buying a fake diploma might seem like a shortcut, but it’s not worth the risk. Employers often verify credentials, and getting caught can ruin your reputation and career prospects.
Aug 4, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Thanks for sharing this information
Aug 2, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Refrigerant leaks in air conditioners can lead to reduced cooling efficiency, increased energy costs, and potential damage to the system. Understanding the causes of refrigerant leaks can help in preventing them and maintaining the efficiency of your air conditioning system. Here are the common causes of refrigerant leaks in air conditioners:
 
 
Diploma replicas are great for showcasing your achievements without risking the original document. The replica I ordered was meticulously crafted and looks exactly like my diploma. A worthwhile investment.
Jul 26, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Dark Humor Unisex T-Shirts: Edgy and Unique Apparel
Dark humor unisex t-shirts are a bold way to express a unique sense of humor and make a statement. These t-shirts combine wit and satire, often pushing the boundaries of conventional humor. Whether you’re looking to create a conversation starter, promote your brand, or add a quirky touch to your wardrobe, custom dark humor t-shirts offer endless possibilities. Here’s everything you need to know about creating and ordering dark humor unisex t-shirts.
Jul 25, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Creating custom kids' T-shirts can be a fun and engaging way to let children express their personality, promote a brand, or create unique gifts. Here’s a comprehensive guide on designing and ordering custom kids' T-shirts, including ideas, steps, and resources.
Jul 19, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Keep up the good work , I read few posts on this web site and I conceive that your blog is very interesting and has sets of fantastic information.
Jul 17, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
Greetings and welcome to our Dahlcore Security Guard Blog, your one-stop resource for all things related to the security industry. Our mission is to empower individuals and organizations with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their security needs. With a focus on topics like VIP protection, residential and commercial security, and innovative technologies, we aim to keep you up-to-date on the latest developments and best practices in the security sector.
 
 
Creating custom unisex cotton tees is a fantastic way to offer comfortable and versatile apparel that suits a wide audience. Here’s a comprehensive guide to designing and ordering custom unisex cotton t-shirts:
Jul 11, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
If you're facing water damage in Portland and Vancouver, Rapid Restoration is here to help. Their expert team responds quickly to any water emergency, from flooding to leaks. They use the latest techniques to remove water, dry your property, and prevent future issues like mold or structural damage. Here's a detailed look at what they offer:
Jul 2, 2024   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 5  | Go to page: