Assembly Resolution No. 572
BY: M. of A. Walker
CELEBRATING the life of Tina Turner, legendary
performer and musical icon hailed as the Queen of
Rock and Roll
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to honor and pay
tribute to those musical geniuses whose commitment and creative talents
have contributed to the entertainment and cultural enrichment of their
community, the State of New York, the Nation and the world; and
WHEREAS, It is with profound sorrow and deep regret that this
Legislative Body records the passing of Tina Turner, noting the
significance of her inspired life and accomplishments; and
WHEREAS, Tina Turner, the dynamic rock and soul singer who rose from
humble beginnings and overcame much adversity to become one of the most
popular artists of all time, died on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at the age
of 83; and
WHEREAS, Tina Turner was born Anna Mae Bullock on November 26, 1939,
into a sharecropping family in rural Tennessee; she began singing as a
teenager and, after moving to St. Louis, Missouri, immersed herself in
the local rhythm-and-blues scene; and
WHEREAS, She met Ike Turner at a performance by his band, the Kings
of Rhythm, in 1956, and soon became part of the act; she began
performing as Tina Turner, and her electric stage presence quickly made
her the centerpiece of the show; and
WHEREAS, The ensemble, which toured as the Ike and Tina Turner
Revue, was renowned for its live performances, and in 1960, "A Fool in
Love" hit the pop charts; a string of hit singles followed, including
"Nutbush City Limits" and "Proud Mary," their 1971 cover of a Creedence
Clearwater Revival song, which reached No. 4 on the pop charts and won
them a Grammy; and
WHEREAS, In 1976, the Ike and Tina Turner Revue performed as the
headliner at the Waldorf Astoria New York, before signing a television
deal with CBS for their own show; and
WHEREAS, Ike and Tina Turner, who were married in 1962, found great
success during these New York shows, but offstage their marriage was
tumultuous and the couple divorced in 1978; and
WHEREAS, In the era of rebuilding her career, Tina Turner began
playing in smaller venues, including The Ritz-Carlton New York; in
October of 1981, Rod Stewart attended one of her shows at the venue, and
after seeing her performance, asked her to join him on "Saturday Night
Live" for a televised performance of "Hot Legs"; and
WHEREAS, After a series of guest appearances on the albums of other
artists, Tina Turner mounted a stunning comeback in 1984 when she
released her debut solo multiplatinum album, "Private Dancer"; it was a
triumph, both critically and commercially, selling more than 20 million
copies worldwide and winning three Grammy Awards, including record of
the year and best female vocal performance for "What's Love Got to Do
with It," the single which became her signature song; and
WHEREAS, Before long, Tina Turner became a global superstar,
commanding MTV with her spiky wigs, short skirts, and famously long
legs; and
WHEREAS, Tina Turner followed her musical success with a role in the
film "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" (1985); her later albums included
"Break Every Rule" (1986), "Foreign Affair" (1989), and "Wildest Dreams"
(1996); her greatest-hits compilation "All the Best," was released in
2004; and
WHEREAS, A riveting live performer, this extraordinary woman
continued touring into the 21st century and appeared on other artists'
albums, notably Herbie Hancock's "River: The Joni Letters" (2007), a
Grammy-winning tribute to Joni Mitchell; and
WHEREAS, Furthermore, she wrote the autobiographies I, Tina, which
was written in 1986 and adapted in 1993 as the film "What's Love Got to
Do with It," and My Love Story (2018), as well as the self-help book,
Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good (2020);
and
WHEREAS, Ike and Tina Turner were inducted into the Rock and Roll
Hall of Fame in 1991; 30 years later, in 2021, she was inducted into the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo performer; and
WHEREAS, In addition to receiving a Kennedy Center Honor (2005),
Tina Turner earned a Grammy Award for lifetime achievement in 2018; that
same year, "Tina," a jukebox musical based on her life, opened in
London's West End; the musical debuted on Broadway in 2019, and is
currently on tour nationwide; and
WHEREAS, Tina Turner and the love of her life, Erwin Bach, were
united in marriage in 2013, after 27 years together; and
WHEREAS, Tina Turner's undeniable talent earned her acclaim as the
Queen of Rock and Roll, while her resiliency made her a hero to women
everywhere; when she sang of pain and heartache in her husky, raspy
voice, every word rang true; and
WHEREAS, A raw, powerful, and truly unstoppable woman, Tina Turner
was unapologetically herself, speaking and singing her truth through joy
and pain, triumph, and tragedy; through her music and her boundless
passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and
will forever remain a star whose light will never fade; and
WHEREAS, Tina Turner was nothing less than a giant; her dedication
to her music leaves an indelible legacy of inspiration which will long
endure the passage of time and will remain as a comforting memory to her
family, friends and countless fans; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
celebrate the life of Tina Turner, and to express its deepest
condolences to her family; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the family of Tina Turner.
