Tributes pour in Thursday around the world the day after the death of Tina Turner, “the queen of rock’n’roll”, who died the day before at the age of 83 following a long illness in her residence in Switzerland.
Shortly after the announcement of his death, fans began laying flowers and candles in Hollywood and outside the home of the American star, naturalized Swiss.
Nestled among the dozens of bouquets placed in front of the grand gate of Algonquin Castle in Küsnacht, on the popular Gold Coast of Lake Zurich, is a handwritten note: “you are simply the best”.
In front of her residence on Thursday morning, a fan, Ana Ferreira, believes that Tina Turner “was the queen because she was totally involved in her music. The body, the voice, it was very strong”.
“I am shocked,” Miran Znider, a 48-year-old Slovenian fan, told AFP, holding back tears. Why did he come? “Because she is the queen, the queen of all women. I love Tina,” he replies.
During the night, everyone waited their turn to place large bouquets and candles.
The singer had settled in Switzerland in 1995 with her companion, the German Erwin Bach, 67 years old. In 2013, three months after marrying Mr. Bach and acquiring Swiss nationality, she renounced her American citizenship.
“The Best”
During her career, which began in the 1950s in the United States, she won eight Grammys, the ultimate awards in American music.
Performing hits like Proud Mary Or The Bestthe pioneering artist knew how to ignite crowds around the world with her inimitable voice and explosive stage performance.
The one who claimed not to be afraid of aging, said in April to the Guardian that she hoped to be remembered as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll”.
A bet largely won, as this nickname comes up in the many tributes.
Basketball player Magic Johnson was moved by the loss of the “legendary queen of rock”.
Mick Jagger, singer of the Rolling Stones, hailed an artist “so talented”, but also “warm, funny and generous”. The band’s guitarist, Ronnie Wood, also lamented the loss of the “queen of rock and soul”.
Emotion
“The terms ‘legendary’, ‘icon’, ‘diva’, and ‘superstar’ are often thrown around, yet Tina Turner embodies them all and so many more,” said Mariah Carey.
Another singing superstar, Gloria Gaynor, recalled that Tina Turner had “paved the way for so many women in rock, whether black or white.”
President Joe Biden hailed “the only woman to win in the pop, rock, and R&B categories” at the Grammy Awards, “a sign of her versatility, creativity, and vast popularity” with different audiences.
“With the death of Tina Turner, the world has lost an icon,” said Swiss Confederation President Alain Berset.
Bouquets were also placed on her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, in California.
Born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939 in Tennessee, Tina Turner made her debut at the age of 16 with the blues group Kings of Rhythm of the one who would become her husband, Ike Turner.
It is with him and The Ike and Tina Turner Revue that the singer will begin to achieve a certain fame by becoming one of the most popular black formations in the United States in the 1960s.
“Survivor”
In 1966, Ike Turner and his musicians provided the first part of the British tour of the Rolling Stones, opening the door to success in Europe for the couple.
But Ike Turner beats her regularly. She finally fled in 1976 and had to hide from him for a while before finally obtaining a divorce in 1978.
In the rain of tributes that were paid to the singer on Wednesday, many highlight her resilience and her courage in the face of this violence.
“For me, she will always be a survivor and an inspiration to women everywhere,” said Mariah Carey.
Actress Angela Bassett, who played the singer in the biopic Tina in 1993, asks for her part: “How do you say goodbye to a woman who has made her pain and her traumas a strength and used them as means to change the world? »
“Tina Turner showed others living in fear what a beautiful future, filled with love, compassion, and freedom, should look like,” added the Oscar-nominated actress for her performance.
After crossing the desert, Tina Turner will find the summit in the 1980s, with in particular the album Private Dancer.
According to the press release from his agent, “a private funeral will take place in the presence of close friends and family”.