Career Timeline of Tina Turner: Major Achievements and Milestones
Discover the career path of Tina Turner, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Tina Turner, the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll", was a celebrated singer, songwriter, and actress, distinguished by her powerful vocals, distinctive raspy voice, and captivating stage presence. Initially gaining fame as the lead vocalist of the duo Ike & Tina Turner, her career was marked by a difficult marriage that eventually led to a divorce in 1976. Turner then embarked on a hugely successful solo career, solidifying her status as a global icon. Her resilience and talent made her one of the most influential entertainers of all time.
1958: Graduation from Sumner High School
In 1958, Anna Mae Bullock graduated from Sumner High School. After graduating, she worked as a nurse's aide at Barnes-Jewish Hospital.
1958: First Recording as Little Ann
In 1958, Anna Mae Bullock made her first recording under the name Little Ann on the single "Boxtop", alongside Ike Turner and Carlson Oliver of the Kings of Rhythm.
July 1960: Public Introduction as Tina Turner
In July 1960, Anna Mae Bullock was introduced to the public as Tina Turner with the release of the single "A Fool in Love".
1960: Recording of A Fool in Love and Name Change
In 1960, Anna Mae Bullock recorded the song "A Fool in Love", which was initially intended as a demo. This led to Juggy Murray buying the track and convincing Ike Turner to make Bullock the star of the show. Ike then renamed her "Tina Turner".
1961: Grammy Nomination for It's Gonna Work Out Fine
In 1961, Ike and Tina Turner's single "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Rock and Roll Performance.
1962: R&B Hits
Between 1960 and 1962 Ike and Tina Turner released the R&B hits "I Idolize You", "Poor Fool", and "Tra La La La La".
1963: Constant Touring and R&B Singles
Between 1963 and 1965, Ike and Tina Turner toured constantly and produced moderately successful R&B singles.
1964: First Solo Single and Warner Bros. Signing
In 1964, Tina Turner's first credited single as a solo artist, "Too Many Ties That Bind"/"We Need an Understanding", was released. The duo also signed to Warner Bros. Records.
February 1965: Charting Album with Live! The Ike & Tina Turner Show
In February 1965, Ike and Tina Turner achieved their first charting album with "Live! The Ike & Tina Turner Show", which peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard Hot R&B LP chart.
1965: Solo Appearances and The Big T.N.T. Show
In 1965, Tina Turner made several solo appearances on shows like "American Bandstand" and "Shindig!". The duo also appeared in the concert film "The Big T.N.T. Show".
April 1966: Signing with Philles Label
In April 1966, Ike & Tina Turner signed with Phil Spector's Philles label after Tina Turner had already recorded with him.
May 1966: Release of River Deep - Mountain High
In May 1966, Ike and Tina Turner released "River Deep – Mountain High" as their first single on Phil Spector's Philles label.
November 1967: Rolling Stone Cover Appearance
In November 1967, Tina Turner became the first female artist and the first black artist to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
1968: Signing with Blue Thumb Records
In 1968, Ike and Tina Turner signed with Blue Thumb Records.
1969: Release of Outta Season and The Hunter albums
In 1969, Ike and Tina Turner released the album "Outta Season", which included their charted cover of Otis Redding's "I've Been Loving You Too Long". Later that year, they released "The Hunter" album, with the title track earning Tina a Grammy nomination.
1969: Opening for The Rolling Stones US Tour
In the fall of 1969, Ike & Tina Turner's profile in their home country was raised after opening for the Rolling Stones on their US tour.
1970: Releases of Come Together and Workin' Together albums
In 1970, Ike & Tina Turner released the albums "Come Together" and "Workin' Together". Their cover of "I Want to Take You Higher" peaked at No. 34 on the Hot 100.
July 1971: Release of What You Hear Is What You Get Album
In July 1971, Ike & Tina Turner's live album, "What You Hear Is What You Get", recorded at Carnegie Hall, was released and became their first certified Gold album.
October 1972: Performance at Star-Spangled Women Fundraiser
In October 1972, Tina Turner and the Ikettes performed at Star-Spangled Women, a political fundraiser for George McGovern's 1972 presidential campaign, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
1973: Release of "Nutbush City Limits"
In 1973, Ike & Tina Turner released "Nutbush City Limits", written by Tina Turner. The song achieved significant success, reaching No. 1 in Austria, No. 4 in the UK, and the top 5 in several other countries, earning them the Golden European Record Award for selling over one million copies in Europe.
1974: Release of "Sweet Rhode Island Red" and "Sexy Ida"
In 1974, Ike & Tina Turner released "Sweet Rhode Island Red" and "Sexy Ida" as follow-up hits to "Nutbush City Limits". Also in 1974, they released The Gospel According to Ike & Tina, nominated for a Grammy, and Tina Turner was nominated for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female for Tina Turns the Country On!. She also filmed the rock opera Tommy in London.
1974: Grammy Nomination and Filming Tommy
In 1974, Ike & Tina Turner's album 'The Gospel According to Ike & Tina' received a Grammy nomination. Additionally, Tina Turner filmed the rock opera 'Tommy' in London, playing the Acid Queen.
1975: Release of "Acid Queen" album
Following the release of 'Tommy' in 1975, Tina Turner released her solo album 'Acid Queen'. It reached No. 39 on the Billboard R&B chart and included the charting singles "Baby, Get It On" and a cover of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love".
1976: Headlining at Waldorf Astoria and TV deal
By the mid-1970s, Ike's cocaine addiction strained his relationship with Tina. In 1976, Ike & Tina Turner headlined at the Waldorf Astoria New York and signed a television deal with CBS-TV. Ike also planned to move them from United Artists Records to Cream Records.
1976: TV Appearances
In 1976, Tina Turner appeared on various TV shows, including The Hollywood Squares, Donny & Marie, The Sonny & Cher Show, and The Brady Bunch Hour.
1976: Divorce and Solo Career
In 1976, Tina Turner divorced Ike Turner, leading to the disbanding of their duo. Following this, Tina embarked on a successful solo career.
1977: Release of 'Delilah's Power'
In 1977, after Tina and Ike's separation, United Artists released another album credited to the duo, 'Delilah's Power'.
1978: Release of 'Rough' Album
In 1978, Tina Turner released her third solo album, 'Rough', on United Artists with distribution in North America and Europe on EMI. The album failed to chart.
1979: Management Agreement and South Africa Tour
In 1979, Roger Davies became Tina Turner's manager after seeing her perform. She also performed on the Rete 1 TV series Luna Park in Italy. Later in 1979, Tina Turner embarked on a controversial five-week tour of South Africa during the apartheid regime.
1979: Release of 'Love Explosion' Album
In 1979, Tina Turner released 'Love Explosion', which included a brief diversion to disco music. The album failed to chart, leading to a parting of ways with United Artists Records.
October 1981: Performance with Rod Stewart on SNL
In October 1981, Rod Stewart invited Tina Turner to perform "Hot Legs" with him on Saturday Night Live after attending her show at the Ritz in New York City.
March 1982: Performance on Willem Ruis Show and Hit Single
In March 1982, Tina Turner performed on the Willem Ruis show in the Netherlands, leading to the hit single "Shame, Shame, Shame".
November 1983: Release of "Let's Stay Together" Cover
In November 1983, Tina Turner released her cover of Al Green's "Let's Stay Together", produced by B.E.F. The song became a hit in Europe and the US charts.
May 1984: Release of Private Dancer Album and "What's Love Got to Do with It"
In May 1984, Tina Turner released her album Private Dancer which achieved significant success and was certified 5x Platinum. The album's second single, "What's Love Got to Do with It", was also released in May 1984.
September 1, 1984: Number 1 Hit with "What's Love Got to Do with It"
On September 1, 1984, Tina Turner's "What's Love Got to Do with It" reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, marking her first and only No. 1 hit on that chart.
1984: Private Dancer Album Launch
In 1984, Tina Turner launched "one of the greatest comebacks in music history" with her multi-platinum album "Private Dancer". The single "What's Love Got to Do with It" won the Grammy Award for Record of the Year and became her only number-one song on the Billboard Hot 100.
February 1985: World Tour and "We Are the World" Contribution
In February 1985, Tina Turner embarked on her second world tour to support the Private Dancer album. She also contributed vocals to the USA for Africa benefit song "We Are the World".
July 1985: Live Aid Performance
In July 1985, Tina Turner performed at Live Aid alongside Mick Jagger. Their performance garnered attention when Jagger ripped her skirt off.
1985: Cumulative Concert Sales
From 1985 to 2000 Tina Turner was the first woman to have cumulative concert sales exceeding US$450 million.
1985: Acting in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome
In 1985, Tina Turner acted in the film "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome".
1986: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 1986, Tina Turner received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a significant recognition of her contributions to the entertainment industry.
1986: Autobiography Release
In 1986, Tina Turner released her autobiography, "I, Tina", where she discussed her introduction to Nichiren Buddhism and chanting.
1986: Release of 'Break Every Rule' Album and Autobiography
In 1986, Tina Turner released her sixth solo album, 'Break Every Rule', which achieved significant commercial success. She also published her autobiography, 'I, Tina', which became a bestseller and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1986: Grammy for Prince's Trust Concert
In 1986, Tina Turner won a Grammy as a performer at the Prince's Trust concert.
1986: Autobiography I, Tina: My Life Story Published
In 1986, Tina Turner's autobiography, "I, Tina: My Life Story", was published.
1987: Break Every Rule World Tour
In 1987, Tina Turner embarked on the Break Every Rule World Tour, which became the highest-grossing female tour of the 1980s.
January 1988: Record-Breaking Concert in Rio de Janeiro
In January 1988, Tina Turner performed in front of approximately 180,000 people at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, setting a Guinness World Record at the time for the largest paying concert attendance for a solo artist.
April 1988: Release of "Tina Live in Europe" Album
In April 1988, Tina Turner released the "Tina Live in Europe" album, which later won a Grammy Award for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.
1988: Guinness World Record
In 1988, Tina Turner held a Guinness World Record for the largest paying audience (180,000) for a solo performer.
1989: Release of Foreign Affair Album
In 1989, Tina Turner released the Foreign Affair album, which reached No. 1 in eight countries, including the UK, and sold over six million copies worldwide, featuring the hit single "The Best".
1989: Release of "The Best"
In 1989, Tina Turner released the song, "The Best", which later returned to the UK Singles Chart in April 2010 due to an online campaign by fans.
1990: Foreign Affair European Tour
In 1990, Tina Turner embarked on her Foreign Affair European Tour, drawing in nearly four million spectators and breaking the record for a European tour previously set by the Rolling Stones.
October 1991: Release of 'Simply the Best' Compilation Album
In October 1991, Tina Turner released her first greatest hits compilation, 'Simply the Best', which sold seven million copies worldwide and became her biggest seller in the UK.
1991: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 1991, Ike & Tina Turner were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Tina Turner did not attend the ceremony.
1991: Star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame
In 1991, Tina Turner received a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame, honoring her roots and impact on the city.
1993: Acting in Last Action Hero and What's Love Got to Do with It Film Release
In 1993, Tina Turner acted in the film "Last Action Hero". Also in 1993, the film "What's Love Got to Do with It", which dramatized her life and career, was released. This film was based on her autobiography.
1993: Film Depiction of Chanting
In 1993, the film "What's Love Got to Do with It" included dramatizations of Tina Turner chanting, showcasing her spiritual practice.
1993: Release of "What's Love Got to Do with It" film and tour
In 1993, the semi-autobiographical film "What's Love Got to Do with It" was released, starring Angela Bassett as Tina Turner and Laurence Fishburne as Ike Turner. Tina Turner also contributed to the soundtrack, and embarked on her "What's Love?" tour.
1995: Release of "GoldenEye"
In 1995, Tina Turner released "GoldenEye", written by Bono and the Edge of U2, for the James Bond film of the same name.
1996: New York Times Article
In 1996, The New York Times noted that Tina Turner was known for the appearance of her legs, highlighting her iconic stage presence.
1996: Wildest Dreams Tour
In 1996, Tina Turner continued her success as a live performer with the Wildest Dreams Tour, which became the second highest-grossing female tour of the 1990s.
1996: Release of 'Wildest Dreams' album and tour
In 1996, Tina Turner released the 'Wildest Dreams' album and embarked on her 'Wildest Dreams Tour'.
1997: Wildest Dreams Tour Continued
In 1997, Tina Turner continued her Wildest Dreams Tour, which she started in 1996.
September 1999: Release of "When the Heartache Is Over"
In September 1999, Tina Turner released "When the Heartache Is Over" as the leading single from her final solo album, Twenty Four Seven.
1999: "River Deep – Mountain High" inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame
In 1999, Tina Turner's recording of "River Deep – Mountain High" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
July 2000: Retirement Announcement
At a July 2000 concert in Zurich, Switzerland, Tina Turner announced that she would retire at the end of the Twenty Four Seven Tour.
2000: Cumulative Concert Sales
From 1985 to 2000 Tina Turner was the first woman to have cumulative concert sales exceeding US$450 million.
2000: Twenty Four Seven Tour
In 2000, Tina Turner's Twenty Four Seven Tour became the highest-grossing tour of the year in North America.
2003: "Proud Mary" inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame
In 2003, Tina Turner's recording of "Proud Mary" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
November 2004: Release of 'All the Best'
In November 2004, Tina Turner released 'All the Best', which debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 in 2005, marking her highest-charting album in the United States.
2005: Kennedy Center Honors
In 2005, Tina Turner received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. President George W. Bush praised her natural skill, energy, and sensuality, and referred to her legs as "the most famous in show business".
2005: 'All the Best' Album Success
In 2005, Tina Turner's album 'All the Best,' released in November 2004, reached platinum status in the US and seven other countries.
February 2006: Release of "Teach Me Again"
In February 2006, Tina Turner released "Teach Me Again", a duet with Elisa, for the film All the Invisible Children. The revenue from the single was donated to children's charities.
February 2008: Grammy Awards Performance and Win
In February 2008, Tina Turner made a comeback at the Grammy Awards, performing with Beyoncé and winning a Grammy for her feature on River: The Joni Letters.
October 2008: Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour
In October 2008, Tina Turner began her first tour in almost a decade, the Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour, and released a greatest hits compilation in support of the tour.
2009: Collaboration on Spiritual Music Project
In 2009, Tina Turner co-created a spiritual music project called "Beyond" with Dechen Shak-Dagsay and Regula Curti.
2009: Co-founding of the Beyond Foundation
In 2009, Tina Turner co-founded the Beyond Foundation, a global music foundation, with Regula Curti and Dechen Shak-Dagsay.
2009: Retirement from Performing
In 2009, Tina Turner officially retired from performing after a successful career.
2009: Retirement After 50th Anniversary Tour
In 2009, Tina Turner retired after completing her Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour.
April 2010: "The Best" Returns to UK Singles Chart
In April 2010, due to an online campaign by fans, Tina Turner's 1989 hit, "The Best", re-entered the UK singles chart, reaching No. 9. This achievement made her the first female artist to have top 40 hits in six consecutive decades in the UK chart history.
2011: Release and Promotion of "Children" Album
In 2011, Beyond's second album Children – With Children United in Prayer, which featured Tina Turner, was released and charted in Switzerland. Turner promoted the album by appearing on TV shows in Germany and Switzerland.
2011: Release of "Children" album
In 2011, Tina Turner co-released "Children – With Children United in Prayer", the second album of spiritual music through Beyond Foundation.
2012: "What's Love Got to Do with It" inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame
In 2012, Tina Turner's recording of "What's Love Got to Do with It" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
April 2013: Vogue Cover Appearance
In April 2013, at the age of 73, Tina Turner appeared on the cover of the German issue of Vogue magazine, becoming the oldest person to be featured on the cover of Vogue.
February 2014: Release of "Love Songs" Compilation
In February 2014, Parlophone Records released a new compilation album titled "Love Songs" by Tina Turner.
2014: Release of "Love Within" album
In 2014, Tina Turner co-released "Love Within", the third album of spiritual music through Beyond Foundation.
December 2016: Announcement of "Tina" Musical
In December 2016, Tina Turner announced that she was working on Tina, a musical based on her life story, in collaboration with Phyllida Lloyd and Stage Entertainment.
2017: Release of "Awakening" album
In 2017, Tina Turner co-released "Awakening", the fourth album of spiritual music through Beyond Foundation.
April 2018: Opening of "Tina" Musical in London
In April 2018, the musical Tina, based on Tina Turner's life story, opened at the Aldwych Theatre in London, with Adrienne Warren in the lead role.
October 2018: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and Release of Memoir
In October 2018, Tina Turner received the 2018 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and her second memoir, My Love Story, was released.
2018: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
In 2018, Tina Turner received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her significant contributions to music.
2018: Tina Musical Debut
In 2018, a jukebox musical titled "Tina" debuted, which was about Tina Turner's life and career.
2018: Guardian Article
In 2018, an article in The Guardian noted Tina Turner's "swagger, sensuality, gravelly vocals and unstoppable energy", celebrating her lasting impact on music.
2019: "Tina" Musical on Broadway
In 2019, Adrienne Warren reprised her role in the musical Tina on Broadway.
2020: Collaboration with Kygo on "What's Love Got to Do with It" Remix
In 2020, Tina Turner came out of retirement to collaborate with Kygo on a remix of "What's Love Got to Do with It". With this release, she became the first artist to have a top 40 hit in seven consecutive decades in the UK.
2020: Spiritual Memoir Release
In 2020, Tina Turner released her spiritual memoir, "Happiness Becomes You", where she mentioned her son Ronnie's suggestion that she might benefit from chanting.
2020: Release of "Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good"
In 2020, Tina Turner released her third book, Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good, co-written with Taro Gold and Regula Curti, and it was selected as a Best Nonfiction book of 2020 by Amazon's editors.
October 2021: Sale of Music Rights and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
In October 2021, Tina Turner sold her music rights to BMG Rights Management for an estimated $50 million. Later that month, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.
2021: Appearance in Documentary Film "Tina"
In 2021, Tina Turner appeared in the documentary film Tina, directed by Dan Lindsay and T. J. Martin.
2021: Solo Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 2021, Tina Turner was inducted by Angela Bassett into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist, cementing her status as an icon. Performances included Keith Urban and H.E.R. performing "It's Only Love", Mickey Guyton performing "What's Love Got to Do with It", and Christina Aguilera performing "River Deep – Mountain High".
2021: Tina Documentary Film Release
In 2021, a documentary film also titled "Tina" was released, chronicling Tina Turner's life.
May 2023: Reported Record Sales
As of May 2023, Tina Turner had reportedly sold around 100 to 150 million records worldwide, solidifying her status as one of the best-selling artists of all time.
2023: Beyond Foundation Activity
As of 2023, the Swiss Beyond Foundation, co-founded by Tina Turner, continues to be active, facilitating collaborations between musical artists from around the world.
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