Tina Turner was born as Anna Mae Bullock on November 26th of 1939. Ike Turner changed her name to Tina Turner for showbiz reasons in 1960. They began to record & perform together as an R&B duo called The Ike & Tina Turner Revue at that time. They married in 1962.

The Ike & Tina Turner Revue had the following songs reach the top 10 on the US R&B charts:

1960: “A Fool In Love”
1960: “I Idolize You”
1961: “It’s Gonna Work Out Fine”
1962: “Poor Fool”
1962: “Tra La La La La”
1971: “Proud Mary” (#4 on the overall Billboard charts.)

While their commercial success was not staggering they were a very influential group. The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, James Brown, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, Elton John, and Janis Joplin were among those who spoke positively of the group.

Turner released her first solo album in 1974 called Tina Turns the Country On (it did not chart.)

Her second solo album was 1975′s Acid Queen which tied into her role as the “Acid Queen” in the film version of The Who’s Tommy. It included covers of rock songs such as The Who’s “I Can See for Miles” & “Acid Queen” and The Rolling Stone’s “Under My Thumb” & “Let’s Spend the Night Together.” It charted at #115 on the US album charts.

It was not until 1984 at age 44 with her 5th solo album, Private Dancer, that Turner really became a superstar. The album reached the top 10 all around the world and has sold over 20 million copies worldwide to date. It includes “What’s Love Got to Do With It” which is her only #1 US single. “Better Be Good to Me” and “Private Dancer” also hit the top 10 on the singles charts.

She starred in Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome with Mel Gibson in 1985 and her song “We Don’t Need Another Hero” (from the film’s soundtrack) became a huge worldwide hit (#2 in the US.)

In 1986 she followed up with Break Every Rule which was also a commercial success although not at the level of Private Dancer. It has sold over 10 million copies worldwide. “Typical Male” was the album’s biggest hit. It reached #2 on the US charts.

In 1993 her life story was used as the template for the film What’s Love Got to Do with It? The soundtrack featured “I Don’t Wanna Fight” which hit #9 in the US (#1 in Canada.)

“Typical Male” Music Video