Singer Tina Turner performs after the premiere of Walt Disney Pictures’ “Brother Bear” at the New Amsterdam Theater on October 20, 2003 in New York City. , photo credit: AFP
Pick one of the most memorable hits from US pop icon Tina Turner,
‘Proud Mary’ (1971)
Along with her husband Ike Turner, Tina found fame with her version of the gospel-influenced “Proud Mary”, released two years earlier by Creedence Clearwater Revival.
The duo’s take on the song, with its famous chorus about a Mississippi steamboat “rolling, rolling on the river”, was more rock and raucous than the original, earning them a Grammy.
Tina continued to perform the piece when solo, and it became one of her signature sounds.
‘What’s Love Got to Do With It’ (1984)
One of Turner’s defining songs, it was her only US number one and brought her four Grammys, as well as providing the title for the 1993 Oscar-nominated biopic of her life.
Its release marked her establishment as a successful solo artist following her professional and marital split from Ike in 1976.
A track on his fifth solo album “Private Dancer”, the song was turned down by Cliff Richards and Donna Summer before being picked up by Turner.
Songs such as “Who needs a heart when hearts can be broken” took on deeper significance after revelations of his abuse during her marriage in the 1990s.
‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’ (1985)
The song is the title track to Mel Gibson’s post-apocalyptic film “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome”, in which Turner plays chainmail-wearing Aunt Entity, the ruthless, blonde community leader.
She wears a similar Amazon-style get-up for the video of the coral-backed piece, which warns against false hope and harassment.
‘The Best’ (1989)
Turner’s cover of the Bonnie Tyler original, released a year earlier, was a huge success on her album “Foreign Affair”.
Renamed “Simply the Best”, it was used to promote Australian rugby league in 1990, with the video featuring players of the day alongside an unforgettable styled turner.
It became a classic sports anthem at baseball matches and football games around the world.
‘Goldeneye’ (1995)
As a mark of his pop megastar status, Turner was chosen to perform the iconic title track for the James Bond film “Golden Eye”, written by U2’s Bono and The Edge.
In the music video for the song, which became a top ten hit in several countries, Turner’s signature white gown epitomized her image as pop’s all-glamour diva.