Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
US President, Joe Biden, and former president, Barack Obama, have both joined those mourning the passage of one of the world’s most successful and iconic entertainers, Tina Turner.
Multiple Grammy-award winner Turner, famous for hits including The Best and Proud Mary, died “peacefully” on Wednesday at the age of 83.
The news of Turner’s death brought swift reactions from some of the biggest names in music, sports, television and politics. Present and former presidents of the United States were also quick to post tributes following news of her death.
US President, Joe Biden, in a condolence statement, said, “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 artistes of all time. With 12 Grammy Awards, she was the only woman to win in the pop, rock, and R&B categories, a signal of her versatility, creativity, and broad appeal. Millions flocked to her concerts. Her high-octane dance performances were legendary. And her iconic hits – including ‘Proud Mary,’ ‘The Best,’ ‘What’s Love Got to Do with It’ – continue to be treasured, and sung at full volume, by generations of fans.”
His statement further read, “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.”
Former US President Barack Obam also paid a heartfelt tribute to Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
Taking to Twitter, Obama wrote: “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.”
Actress Angela Bassett, an Academy Award nominee for her portrayal of Tina Turner in the 1993 biopic — “What’s Love Got to Do with It” — also paid tribute to Turner in a statement on Wednesday.
“How do we say farewell to a woman who owned her pain and trauma and used it as a means to help change the world? Through her courage in telling her story, her commitment to stay the course in her life, no matter the sacrifice, and her determination to carve out a space in rock and roll for herself and for others who look like her.
“Tina Turner showed others who lived in fear what a beautiful future filled with love, compassion, and freedom should look like. Her final words to me – for me – were ‘You never mimicked me. Instead, you reached deep into your soul, found your inner Tina, and showed her to the world.’ I shall hold these words close to my heart for the rest of my days. I am honored to have known Tina Turner.
“I am humbled to have helped show her to the world. So on today, while we mourn the loss of this iconic voice and presence, she gave us more than we could have ever asked. She gave us her whole self. And Tina Turner is a gift that that will always be ‘simply the best.’ Angels, sing thee to thy rest…Queen,” she wrote.
Rockstar, Rod Stwart, also paid tribute to the fallen star, saying he was devastated by her passing.
“I’m devastated, what a woman! A friend and mentor – ‘It takes two’ – but there was only one Tina Turner,” he wrote ending with a love emoji.
Robert F. Kennedy Jnr., in his tribute to the Queen of Rock, Tina Turner, described her as a luminous star.
“Tina Turner talks about my aunt Jackie and vacationing with my family at Hyannisport. That was the week she taught my younger siblings to dance. The world has lost a brilliant, elegant lady, a luminous star!”
