Tina Turner, known as the “Queen of Rock ‘n Roll”, had an incredibly successful music career that spanned over 5 decades. She first rose to fame in the 1960s alongside her husband Ike Turner as part of the R&B duo Ike & Tina Turner. Some of her most well-known hits from that era include “River Deep, Mountain High”, “Proud Mary”, and “Nutbush City Limits”.
However, Turner’s popularity skyrocketed when she embarked on a solo career in the 1980s. She released several multi-platinum albums during this decade such as Private Dancer and Break Every Rule. Turner is renowned for her energetic stage presence and her hit songs like “What’s Love Got to Do With It”, “We Don’t Need Another Hero”, and “The Best”.
Now in her late 70s, Tina Turner officially retired from touring and performing in 2009 after completing her Tina!: 50th Anniversary tour. She wanted to spend more time with her family and focus on other projects. Despite being retired from the road, Turner made some rare appearances over the next few years. This included a feature on a song with Kygo in 2019 and attending the opening night of the Broadway musical about her life in 2019.
The Tina Turner Musical on Broadway
In 2018, a new musical based on Turner’s life called Tina: The Tina Turner Musical premiered in London’s West End. The show was a big success, selling out theaters and receiving terrific reviews. In 2019, the musical opened on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.
The Broadway production of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical tells the inspirational story of Turner’s life, from her early days singing in nightclubs with Ike to her record-breaking solo career. It features all of her greatest hits performed by the cast along with a book by Katori Hall. Adrienne Warren played Tina Turner and received a Tony nomination for her powerful lead performance.
When the musical first opened on Broadway in November 2019, Tina Turner herself attended opening night and even went on stage to take a bow. She told the applauding audience “It’s been a long journey. But I’m here for you.” Reviews praised both Turner’s life story and the high-energy musical performances.
The Broadway run was originally intended to be limited but was extended multiple times due to popularity. It ended up playing on Broadway for over 2 years before finally closing on August 14, 2022 after 33 preview performances and 473 regular performances.
Is Tina Turner Involved with the Musical?
While Tina Turner is now retired from performing, she has been closely involved in the creation and promotion of Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. In 2018, she attended the red carpet premiere in London and posed for photos with the cast.
Turner also recorded a new song called “The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” specifically for the musical’s soundtrack. She even joined Instagram in 2018 just before the show’s launch, posting about the production.
The rock legend worked closely with the writers to help craft her story for the stage. She also helped promote the musical by appearing on TV shows like The Today Show. Turner wanted to ensure the musical accurately depicted her tumultuous relationship with ex-husband Ike as well as her determined rise to superstardom.
While Turner no longer performs live, she gave the Broadway cast her blessing. She also attended rehearsals and offered them advice on portraying her mannerisms and dance moves. The musical provided Turner a way to celebrate her legacy while connecting with new audiences.
Is Tina Turner Herself Performing in the Musical?
While Tina Turner was heavily involved in the creation of the musical, she does not actually perform in it. The role of Tina is played by a cast of talented actresses, not Turner herself.
On Broadway, Adrienne Warren starred as Tina Turner, just as she originated the role in London. Warren perfectly captured Turner’s distinctive voice, charisma, and physicality. She earned widespread acclaim for her engaging performance as the rock icon.
The musical also features an actress playing Tina at various young ages. So while the real Tina Turner does not perform, audiences still get to see her incredible life story play out on stage with the help of powerful actors and singers.
At nearly 80 years old, Turner is long retired from the grueling schedule of live concerts. Touring and performing eight shows a week would simply not be feasible for her these days. So the musical provides a way for fans to still enjoy Tina Turner’s legendary songs performed live by a dynamic cast.
What Are Tina Turner’s Current Activities?
Though she is not actively performing or recording new music, Tina Turner has not completely disappeared from the spotlight following her retirement in 2009. Some of her more recent endeavors and activities include:
- Attending red carpet events – Turner still steps out to promote projects close to her heart, like the Tina musical and documentary premieres.
- Releasing a memoir – In 2018, she published a second memoir My Love Story about her life after finding love with her husband Erwin Bach.
- Featured on Kygo song – In 2019, Turner made a rare musical appearance when she collaborated with DJ Kygo on a remix of her classic song “What’s Love Got to Do With It.”
- Philanthropy work – She has supported various charitable causes over the years like the Animal Welfare Institute and Buddhist charities.
- Received the 2005 Kennedy Center Honors
- Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1991
Though Turner enjoys a quieter life out of the spotlight now, she is still keeping active with creative projects and philanthropic endeavors. Most recently, she has been focused on celebrating her decades-long career through the musical and sharing her story with new generations of fans.
Conclusion
While Tina Turner may have retired from touring and recording, her iconic music and story are still very much alive thanks to the Broadway musical Tina: The Tina Turner Musical. She worked closely on developing the show, though she does not actually star in it herself. Turner attended the musical’s opening and expressed her joy at getting to re-experience her amazing journey through the powerful performances. The show provided a way to honor her legacy for years to come. Though she leads a private life today, Turner’s mark on music history remains indelible.