An Iowan's tribute to Tina Turner

The rock and roll legend died at 83

As I drove through Memphis on vacation, my thoughts turned to Tina Turner, the most famous resident of tiny Nutbush, Tennessee.

Isn’t there a hometown museum dedicated to her? Yes, I’m sure there was. Then I discovered that on the very night I planned to stay in Memphis that a twilight celebration of her life was planned in Brownsville, northwest Tennessee.

Turner’s death was announced May 24. She passed at age 83 after a long career that included being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice (once solo, once for her career shared with Ike Turner), a dozen Grammy Awards, a significant film career and a reputation as one of the most electrifying live musical performers of all time.

A twilight vigil was held for Tina Turner at her museum in Brownsville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Naughton.)

Turner’s personal story, portrayed on the screen and in books, tells the audience about a battle for survival in an abusive marriage and reaching a phenomenal level of success.

The Queen of Rock and Roll, indeed.

Turner appeared in concert three times in Ames and twice in Iowa City from 1984 to 2000.

I had the opportunity to see Turner in concert. Like many fans, I was impressed by her powerful voice and energetic performance.

My visit to the Tina Turner Museum brought back memories.

Tina Turner (born Anna Mae Bullock) is featured in a copy of her high school yearbook as “Entertainer.” (Photo by John Naughton.)

I found a crowd, including several who had attended school with Turner, offering a profound and rather celebratory atmosphere in Brownsville, a town of about 10,000.

Candles were lit and a large banner was signed by fans, frequently accompanied by personal messages.