Tina Turner's Success and Achievements in Timeline
A closer look at the biggest achievements of Tina Turner. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.
Tina Turner, the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll," achieved fame as the lead singer of Ike & Tina Turner before launching a highly successful solo career after a difficult marriage and subsequent divorce in 1976. As a singer, songwriter, and actress, she became a global cultural icon. Her powerful vocals, energetic stage presence, and resilience cemented her place as one of the greatest and most influential performers of all time.
1961: Grammy Nomination for "It's Gonna Work Out Fine"
In 1961, Ike & Tina Turner's single "It's Gonna Work Out Fine" earned them a Grammy nomination for Best Rock and Roll Performance.
November 1967: Rolling Stone Cover
In November 1967, Tina Turner became the first female artist and the first black artist to appear on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
1974: Grammy Nominations and Filming "Tommy"
In 1974, Ike & Tina's album, "The Gospel According to Ike & Tina", received a Grammy nomination. Ike got a solo nomination for "Father Alone." Tina's solo album, "Tina Turns the Country On!", was also nominated. Additionally, Tina filmed the rock opera "Tommy" in London, playing the Acid Queen.
1976: Divorce and Band Disbanding
In 1976, Tina Turner's tumultuous marriage to Ike Turner led to a divorce and the disbanding of their duo.
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., which 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" Single
In May 1984, Tina Turner released her "Private Dancer" album, which became her most successful album. Also in May, the single "What's Love Got to Do with It" was released. She also opened for Lionel Richie's tour.
September 1, 1984: Number One Hit with "What's Love Got to Do with It"
On September 1, 1984, Tina Turner achieved her first and only No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with "What's Love Got to Do with It".
1984: Launch of Private Dancer Album
In 1984, Tina Turner launched "one of the greatest comebacks in music history" with her multi-platinum album Private Dancer.
February 1985: Grammy Wins and World Tour
In February 1985, Tina Turner won three Grammys, including Record of the Year for "What's Love Got to Do with It", and embarked on her second world tour to support the "Private Dancer" album.
July 1985: Performance at Live Aid
In July 1985, Tina Turner performed at Live Aid alongside Mick Jagger, in a performance that became iconic. She also released a duet, "It's Only Love", with Bryan Adams.
1985: First Woman with Cumulative Concert Sales
Starting in 1985, Tina Turner became the first woman to have cumulative concert sales from tours exceeding $450 million.
1986: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In 1986, Tina Turner received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1986: Release of "Break Every Rule" Album and Autobiography
In 1986, Tina Turner released her sixth solo album, "Break Every Rule", and published her autobiography, "I, Tina", which became a bestseller. She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
1986: Grammy Award
In 1986, Tina Turner won a Grammy as a performer at the Prince's Trust concert.
January 1988: Record-Breaking Concert in Rio de Janeiro
In January 1988, Tina Turner performed in front of approximately 180,000 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 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.
1988: Break Every Rule World Tour Concludes
In 1988, Tina Turner's Break Every Rule World Tour became the highest-grossing female tour of the 1980s and set a Guinness World Record.
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 included the hit single "The Best".
1990: Foreign Affair European Tour
In 1990, Tina Turner embarked on her Foreign Affair European Tour, which broke 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 became a major seller worldwide, especially 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, and Phil Spector accepted the award on their behalf.
1991: Star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame
In 1991, Tina Turner received a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.
1991: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction
In 1991, Tina Turner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with Ike Turner.
1999: "River Deep – Mountain High" inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame
In 1999, "River Deep – Mountain High" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
2000: Cumulative Concert Sales Success
By 2000, Tina Turner was recognized as the first woman to have cumulative concert sales from 1985 tours exceeding US$450 million.
2003: "Proud Mary" inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame
In 2003, "Proud Mary" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
December 2005: Kennedy Center Honors
In December 2005, Tina Turner was recognized by the Kennedy Center Honors for her contributions to performing arts.
2005: Kennedy Center Honors
In 2005, Tina Turner received the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors, with tributes from various artists.
2005: "All the Best" Album Success
In 2005, Tina Turner's album, "All the Best" debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and went platinum in several countries.
February 2008: Grammy Awards Performance
In February 2008, Tina Turner made a public comeback at the Grammy Awards, performing with Beyoncé and winning a Grammy for her feature on "River: The Joni Letters".
October 2008: 50th Anniversary Tour
In October 2008, Tina Turner embarked on her first tour in nearly ten years with the Tina!: 50th Anniversary Tour, which became a major success.
April 2010: "The Best" Returns to UK Charts
In April 2010, due to an online campaign by fans, Tina Turner's 1989 hit, "The Best", returned to the UK singles chart, peaking at No. 9, making her the first female artist to score top 40 hits in six consecutive decades.
2011: Beyond's second album Children charted again in Switzerland
In 2011, Beyond's second album Children – With Children United in Prayer charted again in Switzerland. Turner promoted the album by performing on TV shows in Germany and Switzerland.
2012: "What's Love Got to Do with It" inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame
In 2012, "What's Love Got to Do with It" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
April 7, 2017: Kidney transplantation surgery
On April 7, 2017, Tina Turner underwent kidney transplantation surgery after her husband donated a kidney.
October 2018: Received Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and released memoir
In October 2018, Tina Turner received the 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.
2020: Collaborated with Kygo on a remix
In 2020, Tina Turner came out of retirement to collaborate with Norwegian producer Kygo on a remix of "What's Love Got to Do with It".
October 2021: Sold Music Rights and Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist
In 2021, Tina Turner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.
2021: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction as Solo Artist
In 2021, Tina Turner was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist.
2023: Tributes at award shows
In 2023, after Tina Turner's death, Fantasia and Patti LaBelle paid tribute to Turner with a rendition of "Proud Mary" at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards and a rendition of "The Best" at the 2023 BET Awards.
