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Tina Turner: 10 Iconic Performances from the Queen of Rock & Roll

Erica Banas // Rock Music Reporter May 25th

Tina Turner was a one-of-a-kind performer that plenty of artists, regardless of gender, have tried to emulate. Alas, there was but one Tina, and her energy and presence were truly all hers.

Turner’s death yesterday (May 24) at age 83 leaves a massive void in the music world that will never be filled. How lucky we are as fans to be able to revisit her many incredible on-stage moments over and over. Here are just 10 examples that show just how iconic of a performer she was and how there will never be anyone quite like her ever again.

  • 'The Tonight Show' - December 31, 1982

    Tina Turner delivered a powerhouse performance on The Tonight Show during a special New Year’s Eve show in 1982. It was about a year-and-a-half before the release of Private Dancer, which rocketed her to superstardom.

  • 'The Ed Sullivan Show' - January 11, 1970

    That fringe dress…the choreography…and that voice! Not stitch of a backing track in sight. What a queen!

  • 'VH1 Divas Live' - April 13, 1999

    This was the second Divas Live special from VH1, and it featured some outstanding performances and collaborations, like this one between Tina and Elton John singing “The Bitch Is Back.” Sure, there was drama during rehearsal between Tina and Sir Elton, but true divas are able to pull themselves together and put on an epic show.

  • Live Aid - July 13, 1985

    Hopefully, we’re a long way off from this happening, but when Mick Jagger eventually goes to rock and roll heaven, here’s hoping the first thing he says is, “Alright, where’s Tina?!” The way the capacity crowd inside Philadelphia’s John F. Kennedy Stadium erupts will always be chill-inducing.

  • 'Late Show with David Letterman' - April 30, 1993

    After delivering a powerful performance of “I Don’t Wanna Fight,” Turner joins Letterman for a chat that involves her doing her best Mick Jagger impression. Unsurprisingly, it’s spot on.

  • 'The Midnight Special' - November 9, 1973

    Tina’s vocals alone make this performance awesome. Once you add in the choreography, it just takes everything to another level.

  • 'The Cher Show' - April 27, 1975

    Two queens just having an absolute blast together in complementing Bob Mackie dresses. What more can you ask for?!

  • 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' - January 29, 2004

    When Oprah turned 50, she had the ultimate birthday party on her talk show, complete with special surprise guest Tina Turner. Oprah’s reaction is priceless, and the fact that Turner strutted down those steps in heels sans a hand-railing is a subtle move that is totally badass.

  • Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - January 18, 1989

    By now, we’re all so used to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony being a very polished, organized affair. However, in its early years, things were far more loose, especially when it came to the all-star jam that closes the ceremony. Seemingly, band leader Paul Schaefer calls out “River Deep – Mountain High” as an impromptu jam. Turner, obviously, handles the vocals, but her backing band is insane. Spotted in the video below are Bruce Springsteen, Little Richard, Stevie Wonder and Paul Simon to name a few of the artists on the packed stage.

  • Grammy Awards - February 10, 2008

    Beyoncé is one, if not the, biggest stars of her generation, but even stars look up to someone. For Beyoncé, it was Tina Turner. When Turner received the Kennedy Center Honors in 2005, Bey brought the house down with a rousing rendition of “Proud Mary.” About three years later, the two of them performed “Proud Mary” together at the Grammy Awards. It remains one of the best Grammy performances of all time.

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