Simply the best! Tina Turner turns 81
East Coast Gold is playing loads of Tina Turner's biggest hits on Thursday to celebrate the music icon's birthday.
The queen of R&B, soul, and rock is celebrating another year around the sun.
Tina Turner continues to make waves in the industry. Her 2020 collaboration with Norweigian DJ, Kygo, featured in the top 10 on Billboard's Dance/Electronic Songs chart.
The 81-year-old burst onto the music scene in the late 1950s but her love for music began as a young girl when she sang in her church choir.
Tina, who was born Anna Mae Bullock, got her first big break in 1958 when she featured on Ike Turner's single, 'Boxtop'. She was credited as Little Ann on the song.
Shortly after, record label boss, Juggy Murray, heard a demo with Tina singing the lead vocals. He said she "sounded like screaming dirt. It was a funky sound". He saw her potential and encouraged Ike to push Tina to the forefront.
Ike convinced 'Little Ann' to perform under the name Tina Turner and the rest is history. The pair, who eventually became a couple, performed as a duo called Ike & Tina Turner Revue. They released several hits, including 'A Fool In Love' and the 1966 hit, 'River Deep - Mountain High'.
The couple called it quits in 1976 and Tina would go on to reveal that Ike had abused her for most of their marriage.
She launched her solo career in the 1980s with a sexy new image that led to her legs becoming one of her trademark features. Her legs were reportedly insured for over a million dollars.
Tina's energetic dance moves and big, blonde hair also played a part in her image. Her stage presence was electric and helped catapult her solo career.
She released her first solo album, 'Tina Turns the Country On!', while she was still a member of Ike & Tina Turner Revue, and to date has several hit studio albums, soundtracks, and live albums under her belt.
Tina's solo career helped solidify her place as one of the best-selling recording artists in history. She has sold more than 100-million records thanks to singles such as 'What's Love Got To Do With It' and 'I Can't Stand The Rain'.
Some of her best albums include, 'Private Dancer', 'Foreign Affair', and 'Simply The Best' - which included some of her biggest hit singles.
The Hall of Fame inductee has also won several awards and is considered a living legend!
We’ll be playing loads of her hit music throughout the day on Thursday to celebrate her birthday, so make sure you’re listening to East Coast Gold all day if you’re a fan!
Main image courtesy of YouTube/Official Tina Turner
Listen to East Coast Gold throughout the day on the 26th, as we play loads of Tina Turner's biggest hits.