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I, Tina: My Life Story
“Splendid...this is rock history with substance!” —Susan Brownmiller, Newsday
“What a tale she has to tell!” — Liz Smith, New York Daily News
A reissue of the one of the most fascinating and dramatic true stories in show business history—the massive bestseller I, Tina, in which the legendary Tina Turner tells all about her life and career: from her humble beginnings in Nut Bush, TN; to her turbulent and volatile marriage to Ike Turner; and, finally, to her triumphant return and massive success.
“What a tale she has to tell!” — Liz Smith, New York Daily News
A reissue of the one of the most fascinating and dramatic true stories in show business history—the massive bestseller I, Tina, in which the legendary Tina Turner tells all about her life and career: from her humble beginnings in Nut Bush, TN; to her turbulent and volatile marriage to Ike Turner; and, finally, to her triumphant return and massive success.
262 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1986
126 people are currently reading
5188 people want to read
About the author
Tina Turner
7 books336 followersTina Turner, one of the world’s most beloved performers, reveals the joyful wisdom behind her inspirational life story in her powerful new book about finding happiness, hope and love in your own life, "Happiness Becomes You: A Guide to Changing Your Life for Good."
A legendary singer, Tina has sold more concert tickets than any other solo artist in history. After her early hit songs including “Proud Mary,” her well-publicized hardships forced her to disappear from the music scene. She rebuilt her life by tapping into her spiritual strength and rose up to recreate her career with a string of megahits including her multi-platinum album "Private Dancer." During her 50th Anniversary Tour in 2009 she performed for more than a million fans.
A legendary singer, Tina has sold more concert tickets than any other solo artist in history. After her early hit songs including “Proud Mary,” her well-publicized hardships forced her to disappear from the music scene. She rebuilt her life by tapping into her spiritual strength and rose up to recreate her career with a string of megahits including her multi-platinum album "Private Dancer." During her 50th Anniversary Tour in 2009 she performed for more than a million fans.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
May 28, 2023
RIP Tina Turner the Queen of Rock and Roll
Top 5 Favorite Tina Turner Songs
1. A Fool in Love
2. Shake A Tail Feather
3. I Don't Wanna Fight
4. Private Dancer
5. River Deep - Mountain High
Honorable Mentions
1. Proud Mary
2. Rock Me Baby
Confession time....I don't really like the song Whats Love Got to Do With It.
One of my all time favorite movies is What's Love Got to Do With It. I don't know how many times I've seen this movie but since childhood I've just always loved it. For years I hated Lawrence Fishburne because of his portrayal of Ike Turner(I had trouble differentiating between acting and real life as a kid) and I instantly wanted to watch everything Angela Bassett was in. I also fell in love with Tina Turner. I always knew that the movie was based on a memoir but I just never got around to.
Lawd!! I thought I hated Ike Turner from the movie but y'all, he's so much worse in the book. The movie is actually quite kind to Ike, the book explores his true monstrousness. I tend to take separating the art from the artist on a case by case basis and with Ike Turner I choose to still enjoy his work even if I hope he's rotting in hell. Ike Turner is an important person in music history, he is believed to have written the first Rock & Roll song Rocket 88 in 1951( of course a white man took credit for inventing Rock & Roll) and he was in many ways ahead of his time.....but....he was also a violent man who abused his wife Tina and many other women.
I already knew Tina was a strong woman but God! After reading this book I have even more respect for her. Tina Turner had a rough first half of life. Abandoned by both parents as a child. Her best friend and cousin died when she was a teenager, she got pregnant as a teenager and then from 19 years old until 37 she was brutally abused by Ike. All the while she was also becoming one of the most respected women in Rock history. Had her story ended with her divorce from Ike, it still would have been a great story and she still would have ended up in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame....but then she scored her biggest hit Whats Love Got to Do With It at the age of 44(ladies it's never too late to live your best life).
I, Tina is a quick read and despite the grim content it's still a fun read. Tina Turner wasn't someone who spent time feeling bad for herself. I listened to her music the whole time I was reading this. I know she has a second memoir and I've already ordered it, it seems to be about her finding happiness so I'm looking forward to it.
I need to rewatch What's Love Got to Do With It because I haven't seen it in a minute. If you loved Tina Turner read this book, watch her movie and listen to her music. If you only heard about her this week because of her death than do the same. Tina Turner was one of the greatest Rock & Roll icons ever! She's up there with Mick Jagger and Jimmy Hendrix.
All Hail The Queen!
Top 5 Favorite Tina Turner Songs
1. A Fool in Love
2. Shake A Tail Feather
3. I Don't Wanna Fight
4. Private Dancer
5. River Deep - Mountain High
Honorable Mentions
1. Proud Mary
2. Rock Me Baby
Confession time....I don't really like the song Whats Love Got to Do With It.
One of my all time favorite movies is What's Love Got to Do With It. I don't know how many times I've seen this movie but since childhood I've just always loved it. For years I hated Lawrence Fishburne because of his portrayal of Ike Turner(I had trouble differentiating between acting and real life as a kid) and I instantly wanted to watch everything Angela Bassett was in. I also fell in love with Tina Turner. I always knew that the movie was based on a memoir but I just never got around to.
Lawd!! I thought I hated Ike Turner from the movie but y'all, he's so much worse in the book. The movie is actually quite kind to Ike, the book explores his true monstrousness. I tend to take separating the art from the artist on a case by case basis and with Ike Turner I choose to still enjoy his work even if I hope he's rotting in hell. Ike Turner is an important person in music history, he is believed to have written the first Rock & Roll song Rocket 88 in 1951( of course a white man took credit for inventing Rock & Roll) and he was in many ways ahead of his time.....but....he was also a violent man who abused his wife Tina and many other women.
I already knew Tina was a strong woman but God! After reading this book I have even more respect for her. Tina Turner had a rough first half of life. Abandoned by both parents as a child. Her best friend and cousin died when she was a teenager, she got pregnant as a teenager and then from 19 years old until 37 she was brutally abused by Ike. All the while she was also becoming one of the most respected women in Rock history. Had her story ended with her divorce from Ike, it still would have been a great story and she still would have ended up in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame....but then she scored her biggest hit Whats Love Got to Do With It at the age of 44(ladies it's never too late to live your best life).
I, Tina is a quick read and despite the grim content it's still a fun read. Tina Turner wasn't someone who spent time feeling bad for herself. I listened to her music the whole time I was reading this. I know she has a second memoir and I've already ordered it, it seems to be about her finding happiness so I'm looking forward to it.
I need to rewatch What's Love Got to Do With It because I haven't seen it in a minute. If you loved Tina Turner read this book, watch her movie and listen to her music. If you only heard about her this week because of her death than do the same. Tina Turner was one of the greatest Rock & Roll icons ever! She's up there with Mick Jagger and Jimmy Hendrix.
All Hail The Queen!
December 18, 2019
Tina Turner. She's simply the best. Better than all the rest.
That voice, those dance moves — will we ever see anyone like her again?
This book came to me by way of one of my book clubs. We wanted to focus on womens' stories for a while. It is an unusal approach in that parts are written in Tina's own words, other parts are narrative provided by music journalist Kurt Loder, and interviews with others in Tina's life. The latter includes direct comments from her abusive ex — Ike Turner — and her sons. It is surprising that they spoke so honestly after the fact. Of course, Ike is in major denial, at least at the time the book was published.
Tina's is quite a story. Thank God she survived and was willing to be so honest. Others can gain strength in knowing that cycles of abuse can happen to anyone, including the rich and famous. And, just as Tina, women can set their priorities and put their survival first. The details about Ike's abusive behavior, his threats, and his drug use made me wonder why all in his life allowed things to get to the low-bottom point they did. Musicians, backup singers, family members should have called for protection. I think his behavior was many steps beyond abusive — it seemed sadistic and psychotic. Everyone was obviously afraid of him.
When Tina left, she walked out with less than a dollar in change in her pocket. What courage. She didn't know where she was heading and what she would do, but she knew the cycle of abuse was over. She speaks openly, too, about her life before Ike, and the abandonment of both parents, who left Tina to live with relatives and basically raise herself.
I loved the spiritual side of the story. The girl born as Anna Mae Bullock, in Nutbush, Tenn., was raised with the church and Jesus. But it was Buddist chanting — introduced by a friend who helped protect her — that allowed her to build the inner strength to change her life.
After all was said and done. After she paid back all the concert promotors for the gigs she walked out on. And after she did cabaret to make ends meet, Tina Turner became the biggest of stars. She gained success, lost everything, and rose again.
Amreica loves a comeback story. This one is wonderfually inspiring.
That voice, those dance moves — will we ever see anyone like her again?
This book came to me by way of one of my book clubs. We wanted to focus on womens' stories for a while. It is an unusal approach in that parts are written in Tina's own words, other parts are narrative provided by music journalist Kurt Loder, and interviews with others in Tina's life. The latter includes direct comments from her abusive ex — Ike Turner — and her sons. It is surprising that they spoke so honestly after the fact. Of course, Ike is in major denial, at least at the time the book was published.
Tina's is quite a story. Thank God she survived and was willing to be so honest. Others can gain strength in knowing that cycles of abuse can happen to anyone, including the rich and famous. And, just as Tina, women can set their priorities and put their survival first. The details about Ike's abusive behavior, his threats, and his drug use made me wonder why all in his life allowed things to get to the low-bottom point they did. Musicians, backup singers, family members should have called for protection. I think his behavior was many steps beyond abusive — it seemed sadistic and psychotic. Everyone was obviously afraid of him.
When Tina left, she walked out with less than a dollar in change in her pocket. What courage. She didn't know where she was heading and what she would do, but she knew the cycle of abuse was over. She speaks openly, too, about her life before Ike, and the abandonment of both parents, who left Tina to live with relatives and basically raise herself.
I loved the spiritual side of the story. The girl born as Anna Mae Bullock, in Nutbush, Tenn., was raised with the church and Jesus. But it was Buddist chanting — introduced by a friend who helped protect her — that allowed her to build the inner strength to change her life.
After all was said and done. After she paid back all the concert promotors for the gigs she walked out on. And after she did cabaret to make ends meet, Tina Turner became the biggest of stars. She gained success, lost everything, and rose again.
Amreica loves a comeback story. This one is wonderfually inspiring.
April 20, 2009
"Eat the cake anime!" This is one of the funniest quotes from the book I, Tina. I, Tina is one of the few books I have read in my spare time out of boredom. Surprisingly, I enjoyed this book so much that I then went out my way to see the movie. The movie was just as amazing as the book itself. The fact that this book was non-fiction, made me enjoy it because I only like fictional books to a certain extent. The humor and sorrow played out well in I, Tina because it made me think and at the same time, I could relate to it. One more thing that I loved about the book was how it ended.
Being that I, Tina is somewhat of a biography on Tina Turner’s life, you should automatically know that this book is non-fiction. I love when I am able to relate to a book and that is exactly why I enjoyed this book. Tina included real characters and real events in the book, which made it very interesting and hard to put down. One part of the book that amazed me was when Tina spoke about the birth of her child and how Ike snuck her and the baby out of the hospital, knowing that Tina had a low blood count. He did this just so Tina could continue to sing, he didn’t care about her health. Tons of feeling and emotion was put into the book because you can feel it through writing.
Although I, Tina is a serious it is very humorous. I, Tina has very sad parts but I thought they were hilarious. The book has tons of emotional chapters it makes me feel like i was in Tina Turner's shoes but even though is heavily emotional it makes me laugh. A funny part of the book was when Ike Turner made Tina eat the cake. It was funny but sad at the same time because it wasn't funny to Tina.
In conclusion, the story of her flight from Ike with thirty-six cents to her name; the subsequent lawsuits for breach of contract and her comeback to fame and fortune that topped anything she had known when she was part of Ike-and-Tina-Turner is well known enough not to have to recount here; but most of this book is a fascinating and well-written exploration of her childhood, her rise to fame, and the hell of her marriage with Ike, told by many different voices besides hers and Ike's that were witness to it all. We listen to Tina's own voice: "I gave in to myself. I went inside of me to help me. You can do it." We look at Tina now, heading for seventy and still drop-dead gorgeous, and we feel a deep admiration and respect for a very magnificent lady. This book is inspired reading.
Being that I, Tina is somewhat of a biography on Tina Turner’s life, you should automatically know that this book is non-fiction. I love when I am able to relate to a book and that is exactly why I enjoyed this book. Tina included real characters and real events in the book, which made it very interesting and hard to put down. One part of the book that amazed me was when Tina spoke about the birth of her child and how Ike snuck her and the baby out of the hospital, knowing that Tina had a low blood count. He did this just so Tina could continue to sing, he didn’t care about her health. Tons of feeling and emotion was put into the book because you can feel it through writing.
Although I, Tina is a serious it is very humorous. I, Tina has very sad parts but I thought they were hilarious. The book has tons of emotional chapters it makes me feel like i was in Tina Turner's shoes but even though is heavily emotional it makes me laugh. A funny part of the book was when Ike Turner made Tina eat the cake. It was funny but sad at the same time because it wasn't funny to Tina.
In conclusion, the story of her flight from Ike with thirty-six cents to her name; the subsequent lawsuits for breach of contract and her comeback to fame and fortune that topped anything she had known when she was part of Ike-and-Tina-Turner is well known enough not to have to recount here; but most of this book is a fascinating and well-written exploration of her childhood, her rise to fame, and the hell of her marriage with Ike, told by many different voices besides hers and Ike's that were witness to it all. We listen to Tina's own voice: "I gave in to myself. I went inside of me to help me. You can do it." We look at Tina now, heading for seventy and still drop-dead gorgeous, and we feel a deep admiration and respect for a very magnificent lady. This book is inspired reading.
March 4, 2021
This is a very painful book to read. The emotional and physical abuse that she endured makes you wonder how she survived. It's inspiring that she had the strength to come through it and reinvent herself, but no one should have to live through a life like that. It's extra maddening that the perpetrator faced no consequences for his actions.
January 26, 2023
I've always loved Tina Turner's music and performances. I'd also heard about the abusive relationship she suffered from Ike Turner. Until I read her story, I never grasped the depth of her struggles in life and in the music industry. Hers is an extraordinary life from her teenage years and a naivete that enabled others, specifically Ike, to take control of her, then her years of relentless work as a singer under Ike that became unbearable. Through it all she was also a mother of four sons, did what she was told, traveled the world, met celebs, while navigating the excesses that surrounded her, always fearful of Ike's abuse.
Her narrative voice and the voice of those in her life drive the impact of this book. At times my heart was racing as I identified with the pressures Tina was facing. There is redemption for her once Ike was out of her life and the recognition that, through it all, she was always true to herself. It was freedom that she wanted most, the freedom to be and to sing. She paid a great price for it, but never regretted what she gave up, ever grateful for her gifts, especially the sweetness of that hard-earned freedom
Her narrative voice and the voice of those in her life drive the impact of this book. At times my heart was racing as I identified with the pressures Tina was facing. There is redemption for her once Ike was out of her life and the recognition that, through it all, she was always true to herself. It was freedom that she wanted most, the freedom to be and to sing. She paid a great price for it, but never regretted what she gave up, ever grateful for her gifts, especially the sweetness of that hard-earned freedom
March 31, 2012
It took an immense amount of courage for Turner to tell her deeply personal story of abuse, release and ultimate triumph. She does not shy away from things that she did wrong and her own responsibility in her circumstances, which is very brave because obviously, she was a victim of domestic violence over a long period of time. She obviously has a very strong nurturing/mothering instinct that's not immediately apparent if you only know her stage persona. She's a role model for overcoming, though, because deep inside she always knew she was better than that, meant for so much more, meant to be peaceful and happy. Tina Turner on stage and in her videos is a powerful icon, and Tina Turner the human being is even more powerful. She possesses a deep inner strength that is very admirable.
July 28, 2015
The other day, I played some Tina Turner music I put on the computer and I realized - I read this book! Must put on Goodreads!
I saw the movie. Really liked the movie. I then went out and bought this book and enjoyed reading it. It fleshed out scenes in the movie that were actually composites of several scenes in Tina's life.
I found her life both sad and inspiring. I can't remember the writing quality of this book and I no longer own it, but I remember liking it quite well. Every time I hear Proud Mary I have the urge to start dancing like one of Tina Turner's back up dancers, but I think I owe that more to the movie than the book
I saw the movie. Really liked the movie. I then went out and bought this book and enjoyed reading it. It fleshed out scenes in the movie that were actually composites of several scenes in Tina's life.
I found her life both sad and inspiring. I can't remember the writing quality of this book and I no longer own it, but I remember liking it quite well. Every time I hear Proud Mary I have the urge to start dancing like one of Tina Turner's back up dancers, but I think I owe that more to the movie than the book
October 15, 2012
I read this years ago when it came out in 1986. Saw it at the library last week and started reading and could not put it down. It is still that good. :)
April 4, 2012
That Ike was a real piece of work.
January 9, 2025
Fuck Ike. All hail Tina, the queen of her story. I love to see it.
June 30, 2024
Byłam świadoma, że życie Tiny Turner na początkowym etapie jej kariery było naznaczone olbrzymim cierpieniem. Dochodziły do mnie jakieś strzępy informacji o trudnym dzieciństwie w Tennessee i późniejszym życiu w 16 - letnim, toksycznym związku z Ike Turnerem, z którym wokalistka przeszła prawdziwą drogę przez mękę. Dorastając z jej muzyką, niewiele o niej wiedziałam, dopiero po jej śmierci zapaliłam się do poznania jej poruszającej historii. Lektura uświadomiła mi pełnię zmagań wokalistki z problemami własnego życia i przemysłem muzycznym oraz pozwoliła mi spojrzeć na nią w zupełnie inny sposób. To niezwykle silna kobieta, prawdziwe świadectwo determinacji i inspiracji nie tylko za sprawą niesamowitego talentu wokalnego ale także wytrwałości i niezwykłej wiary w marzenia.
Poruszająca historia z fantastycznym spojrzeniem na tragiczne i triumfalne życie Tiny Turner, gdy wstając z popiołów
stała się globalną i ponadczasową gwiazdą.
Poruszająca historia z fantastycznym spojrzeniem na tragiczne i triumfalne życie Tiny Turner, gdy wstając z popiołów
stała się globalną i ponadczasową gwiazdą.
April 1, 2021
I found this after seeing Tina's new HBO documentary film. To my surprise, most of the text in this book isn't from Tina herself, but from others in her life including her abusive ex-husband. Although Tina is wonderful, and her story is inspiring, this book is disjointed and written in interview style with one person talking for a while then another person, and so on. I far prefer Tina's newest book "Happiness Becomes You" which is all in Tina's own words and is a much more uplifting book than this one.
March 22, 2020
"Yea I was afraid of life without Ike but I was more afraid of what life WITH him would be like. But sometimes you've got to let everything go: purge yourself. My message here is if you are unhappy with anything: your mother, father, husband,wife, your job, boss, whatever is bringing you down, get rid of it! You'll find that your peace comes just on the other side of letting go. When you're free, your true self comes out." - Tina Turner
January 13, 2024
A really impressive and interesting story, I am so glad to have been recommended and read it! I can't say it covers the entire span of her life, as it was published in 1987 but I can definitively say "River Deep Mountain High" and "Proud Mary" are my favorite Tina Turner songs.
I reluctantly also recommend "Thinking Black" by Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm, as its an influencing hell of a bop. But also that man is beyond trash.
I reluctantly also recommend "Thinking Black" by Ike Turner & The Kings of Rhythm, as its an influencing hell of a bop. But also that man is beyond trash.
May 14, 2023
I have always been a huge Tina fan and went to wvery concert when ahe was here
I knew ahe had a difficult live with Ike but i am truly amazed at how she overcame and still believed in herself
I knew ahe had a difficult live with Ike but i am truly amazed at how she overcame and still believed in herself
October 23, 2018
WAited so long to read this book📖 📚 it’s been hard to find a copy it should be re-released since it’s been 29 years since it was first released. The back cover of the book really should’ve been the front cover that’s my favorite look . Tina Turner private dancer era really saved her career IMO. HER voice is so timeless. Can you imagine her and Toni Braxton on a record together.
The interview part of the book was so annoying , I would read Tina excerpts then
Family , friends , strangers and whoever else . It felt like a autobiography, memoir, and audition all at the same damn time. I have mixed reviews about this book it didn’t feel authentic enough . I liked the movie better. The abuse , cheating , and more abuse without Tina doing anything about it dragged on too long.
I felt really sorry for Tina , she was abandoned emotionally since birth , broke , and never knew what REAL LOVE was . I understand why she felt like Christianity wasn’t the right way for her look at all the alleged ‘Christians” she grew up around. It’s like she came from a long line of broken women who ran away instead of sticking up for herself.
Her whole relationship was more bizarre than the movie made it.... the vision of her saying “I felt like I was making love to my brother” really made me throw up 🤢 page after page of abuse had me screaming
“DAMN BITCH WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO LEAVE”.
Beat in the head with a shoe stretcher , fire poker , guitar 🎸 and anything else that derange negro Ike had. I was like when will this SOB luck run out.
Ike raped Anna Mae - emotionally , physically , mentally I know he’s burning Cajun style in hell 🔥 🔥 🔥.
It’s crazy how much Tina had loyalty to her when Ike could careless about her. I was hoping she would admit to having some type of PTSD but she went pass that and right into nam myoho renge kyo. With all the women that were around and scared of Ike all of them should’ve jumped his ass.
She worked her ass off , submitted to a man that didn’t deserve her or the talent he had. It was so disgusting how he made excuses for hurting her. She lived in PURE hell with sooooo many witnesses around , and she never did drugs that’s the amazing part , I have no idea 💡 I would have dealt with that. She was disrespected to the core yet made a way for herself when she left Ike for good. It’s sad how Ike never gave her money 💴 but put her in debt smh.
Her story about Phil Spector was dope who knew she was alone with him. That song Rolling in the deep is so underrated. I wish Tina would’ve stood up for herself more , so she wouldn’t have to endure such tragedy. She found her voice , her purpose , her strength and that’s better than anything.
Wow 16 years of this bullsh*t !! It couldn’t be me ...... the negro forced her to do things that made her sick , the cold part is she still went back omg that pissed me off...... Then when her sons grew up they ran over their mother too smh Tina is so forgiving I give her than. If she would’ve left Ike sooner I do believe she could’ve been bigger , enjoyed her early years , and collaborate with the greats but she’s great in her own right too.
The interview part of the book was so annoying , I would read Tina excerpts then
Family , friends , strangers and whoever else . It felt like a autobiography, memoir, and audition all at the same damn time. I have mixed reviews about this book it didn’t feel authentic enough . I liked the movie better. The abuse , cheating , and more abuse without Tina doing anything about it dragged on too long.
I felt really sorry for Tina , she was abandoned emotionally since birth , broke , and never knew what REAL LOVE was . I understand why she felt like Christianity wasn’t the right way for her look at all the alleged ‘Christians” she grew up around. It’s like she came from a long line of broken women who ran away instead of sticking up for herself.
Her whole relationship was more bizarre than the movie made it.... the vision of her saying “I felt like I was making love to my brother” really made me throw up 🤢 page after page of abuse had me screaming
“DAMN BITCH WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO LEAVE”.
Beat in the head with a shoe stretcher , fire poker , guitar 🎸 and anything else that derange negro Ike had. I was like when will this SOB luck run out.
Ike raped Anna Mae - emotionally , physically , mentally I know he’s burning Cajun style in hell 🔥 🔥 🔥.
It’s crazy how much Tina had loyalty to her when Ike could careless about her. I was hoping she would admit to having some type of PTSD but she went pass that and right into nam myoho renge kyo. With all the women that were around and scared of Ike all of them should’ve jumped his ass.
She worked her ass off , submitted to a man that didn’t deserve her or the talent he had. It was so disgusting how he made excuses for hurting her. She lived in PURE hell with sooooo many witnesses around , and she never did drugs that’s the amazing part , I have no idea 💡 I would have dealt with that. She was disrespected to the core yet made a way for herself when she left Ike for good. It’s sad how Ike never gave her money 💴 but put her in debt smh.
Her story about Phil Spector was dope who knew she was alone with him. That song Rolling in the deep is so underrated. I wish Tina would’ve stood up for herself more , so she wouldn’t have to endure such tragedy. She found her voice , her purpose , her strength and that’s better than anything.
Wow 16 years of this bullsh*t !! It couldn’t be me ...... the negro forced her to do things that made her sick , the cold part is she still went back omg that pissed me off...... Then when her sons grew up they ran over their mother too smh Tina is so forgiving I give her than. If she would’ve left Ike sooner I do believe she could’ve been bigger , enjoyed her early years , and collaborate with the greats but she’s great in her own right too.
October 24, 2022
I read this book a long time ago. Thought it would be nice to read this book again. { for one thing my daughter and I are going to see the musical play about Tina Turner next year} the author takes turns writing of her life up to the mid 1980s. Her childhood in Tennessee. The beginning of her career with Ike Turner. The years of physical and verbal abuse from Ike Turner. Her brave escape after a severe beating. her slow and brave rise to being successful on her own, starting up her band and travelling. Glad to read this again.
March 4, 2011
A remarkable story that I would recommend to any woman, whether they like her music or not. I never knew much about her and did not grow up with her music but her book made me look at her in a completely different way. I couldn't believe just how much she was able to live through and come out a stronger woman for. A very inspiring story about a incredibly courageous woman.
May 4, 2011
WOWWWWWWW! I want to be like Tina when I finally grow up! This sista went through some horrible things, but my goodness, she pulled through. If you haven't read this book, what the heck are you waiting for? I loved her story, and she is so beautiful! I love to read about people's lives and how they got to be where they are or were!
February 20, 2016
It's an amazing and powerful story, but not a very good book. Tina's contributions were clearly dictated and are connected by passages of Loder's formal, occasionally flowery language. It feels like two books cut and pasted together. But if you can get accustomed to the disjointed style it is remarkable.
June 19, 2025
Warning: longish and sappy review because Tina’s story hits close to home.
My mom always taught me that it’s not nice to hate someone. I should just dislike them because “hate” is a strong word. However, I think (matter of fact I know) that my mom would agree with me in saying hate is not a strong enough word to describe my feelings for Ike Turner. To know that he inflicted so much physical and emotional pain to so many women, makes me physically sick. And I hope he is slowly rotting in hell.
The emotional and serious physical abuse Tina endured is so heartbreaking but I am so beyond happy that she was able to get through it and pursue her dreams doing what she loves. Tina is such an inspiration and everytime I listen to her I can’t help but tear up because of how happy I am that she was able to survive all the abuse and still be a humble and hardworking woman.
I’ll never forget the day I found out Tina died because I knew the world had just lost one of the most amazing human beings ever. If you don’t read this book then I HIGHLY suggest the movie “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” starring Angela Bassett. Some parts may be uncomfortable to watch but the movie does a great job of showing Tina’s story and it’s just so empowering.
My mom always taught me that it’s not nice to hate someone. I should just dislike them because “hate” is a strong word. However, I think (matter of fact I know) that my mom would agree with me in saying hate is not a strong enough word to describe my feelings for Ike Turner. To know that he inflicted so much physical and emotional pain to so many women, makes me physically sick. And I hope he is slowly rotting in hell.
The emotional and serious physical abuse Tina endured is so heartbreaking but I am so beyond happy that she was able to get through it and pursue her dreams doing what she loves. Tina is such an inspiration and everytime I listen to her I can’t help but tear up because of how happy I am that she was able to survive all the abuse and still be a humble and hardworking woman.
I’ll never forget the day I found out Tina died because I knew the world had just lost one of the most amazing human beings ever. If you don’t read this book then I HIGHLY suggest the movie “What’s Love Got to Do With It?” starring Angela Bassett. Some parts may be uncomfortable to watch but the movie does a great job of showing Tina’s story and it’s just so empowering.
August 7, 2023
I've been a fan of Tina Turner ever since I saw the movie as a kid. I've seen her as a brave and strong woman.
With her recent passing, I decided it was time to read this book. Tina's passing hit me pretty hard.
She lived a hard but also incredible life.
While the film was adapted from this book, there were a lot of differences. Certain things were fictionalized for dramatic purposes.
And while Ike was not depicted favorably, his abuse was not shown nearly to the full extent of what it was. I disliked him in the film, but the book is on a whole other level. Tina didn't hold back about the abuse she experienced from Ike.
It's a bit different from other biographies as it's not just from Tina's view. Many others, including Ike - gross - were interviewed for this biography.
Except for Ike, I did enjoy reading what others had to say.
Tina went through so much. And she was strong to survive it all.
She was an incredible woman who I miss already.
Good book. If you're a fan of Tina or like music in general, you'll enjoy this biography.
With her recent passing, I decided it was time to read this book. Tina's passing hit me pretty hard.
She lived a hard but also incredible life.
While the film was adapted from this book, there were a lot of differences. Certain things were fictionalized for dramatic purposes.
And while Ike was not depicted favorably, his abuse was not shown nearly to the full extent of what it was. I disliked him in the film, but the book is on a whole other level. Tina didn't hold back about the abuse she experienced from Ike.
It's a bit different from other biographies as it's not just from Tina's view. Many others, including Ike - gross - were interviewed for this biography.
Except for Ike, I did enjoy reading what others had to say.
Tina went through so much. And she was strong to survive it all.
She was an incredible woman who I miss already.
Good book. If you're a fan of Tina or like music in general, you'll enjoy this biography.
July 27, 2025
Mahtava tarina. Tai oikeastaan vain osa siitä sillä kirja on julkaistu jo 1986. Ja mitä kaikkea hän sen jälkeen vielä saavuttikaan.
August 19, 2010
This one is probably a better read to someone who's a fan. The timeline of Tina's life is a bit jumpy on this one and I guess the storytelling could be a little more compelling. I thought there might be a lot lost in translation since I read this in finnish; just have that sense that this especially is one of those books you should read in the language it was written.
Nice little book though which paints a picture rather well what Anna Mae Bullock's - and later Tina Turner's life has been like (should be updated nowadays I guess!). A lot of the book is done by interviews, quotes and most of it in Tina's own words. The first time I interested about her story because of the movie "What's Love Got To Do With It" (highly recommended!) and by the time it came out there was lot of talk how bad picture it paints of Ike Turner. Well now. I think Ike Turner was way more evil than the movie showed; one of the most amazing aspects (for me) is just that how on earth did Tina survive all that!
It was also nice that Tina has a chance to talk about the spiritual side in her life which has always been a big part of her later life - all in all "I, Tina" is a journey and a tale about one's inner strengths and other powers in this world. I'd say it's a book you can learn from !
She's a great artist and this is a nice little bio about Tina Turner; recommended if you are a fan of hers or her music.
I like it **
I would recommend it ****
Nice little book though which paints a picture rather well what Anna Mae Bullock's - and later Tina Turner's life has been like (should be updated nowadays I guess!). A lot of the book is done by interviews, quotes and most of it in Tina's own words. The first time I interested about her story because of the movie "What's Love Got To Do With It" (highly recommended!) and by the time it came out there was lot of talk how bad picture it paints of Ike Turner. Well now. I think Ike Turner was way more evil than the movie showed; one of the most amazing aspects (for me) is just that how on earth did Tina survive all that!
It was also nice that Tina has a chance to talk about the spiritual side in her life which has always been a big part of her later life - all in all "I, Tina" is a journey and a tale about one's inner strengths and other powers in this world. I'd say it's a book you can learn from !
She's a great artist and this is a nice little bio about Tina Turner; recommended if you are a fan of hers or her music.
I like it **
I would recommend it ****
November 17, 2017
Determination. Perseverance. Strength of character and an incredible comeback. I read Tina's story when it first came out in ‘86. I didn’t know of Tina’s early music (60s/70s)—or her history with Ike and all that she went through while with him. I only knew of her as a stellar performer, and someone who sizzled on stage during the MTV era. Her songs, “Private Dancer” and “What’s Love Got To Do With It” were all over the radio and the clubs and she was the reigning Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll. I saw her 1985 Private Dancer tour less than a year later and of course when her book came out—buying and reading it was a no brainer.
I wasn’t, however, prepared for all the trauma she endured. We don’t think of performers who seem to be doing well as ever having gone through “hard times”—since we only see their successes—but she had a lot tough moments and yet she courageously pulled through. She was in incredible debt and yet managed to pay back all her promoters and the IRS by starting all over again, playing small venues and a round of shows in Vegas. It must have been excruciatingly difficult, and painful to basically start from scratch but she did it. The book takes us through this time period and of course the intense situation with her former husband, Ike Turner, to her eventual ability to leave him, which she credits to her faith, Nichiren Buddhism.
It’s a well-written, engaging story and one that really inspires. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, do so.
I wasn’t, however, prepared for all the trauma she endured. We don’t think of performers who seem to be doing well as ever having gone through “hard times”—since we only see their successes—but she had a lot tough moments and yet she courageously pulled through. She was in incredible debt and yet managed to pay back all her promoters and the IRS by starting all over again, playing small venues and a round of shows in Vegas. It must have been excruciatingly difficult, and painful to basically start from scratch but she did it. The book takes us through this time period and of course the intense situation with her former husband, Ike Turner, to her eventual ability to leave him, which she credits to her faith, Nichiren Buddhism.
It’s a well-written, engaging story and one that really inspires. If you haven’t had a chance to read it yet, do so.
January 17, 2015
I haven't always been a Tina Turner fan, so I was a little dubious about reading her story.
And what a story it is! Little Anna Mae has climbed to the top of the heap all by herself and showed us what a classy lady she is.
The book prepared me for the movie, "What's Love Got to Do With It?" which, although incomplete, was a very enlightening expose' of Tina's struggles and the development of her wonderful talent. She is now a superstar in her own right and could still be wearing her crown if she so desired.
I have gained so much respect for Tina Turner and an unexpected love of her music.
And what a story it is! Little Anna Mae has climbed to the top of the heap all by herself and showed us what a classy lady she is.
The book prepared me for the movie, "What's Love Got to Do With It?" which, although incomplete, was a very enlightening expose' of Tina's struggles and the development of her wonderful talent. She is now a superstar in her own right and could still be wearing her crown if she so desired.
I have gained so much respect for Tina Turner and an unexpected love of her music.
October 30, 2014
I loved Tina's book. I always loved her singing so I knew I would enjoy this book. In 1984 I divorced my alcoholic controlling husband and I went on my own voyage of self discovery watching telly programmes I wanted to see and listening to music i wanted to listen to. Not knowing any music before 1984 except what my husband wanted to listen to, I loved to see Tina Turner. I hadn't realised her career was re-emerging. Loved the book, love Tina Turner.
February 7, 2023
I Tina
The first major thing I noticed about this one was it was written in so many voices. It wasn’t just “Tina” talking. It was Ike. It was Anne. It might be an artist that worked with Tina. It might have been the narrator. If your reading this with your eyes, you may seen when it switches to her voice. When you're reading this with your ears, (like I was off and on) it can give you a confused (hunh?) moment when you hear the narrator describing Nutbush and then hear Tina herself talking about a night spot she went to and what went on there. WAY TOO MANY VOICES! It definitely wasn’t what I was use to. The biographies I read are the celebrity themselves telling their own story without commentary from the people in their live. (Although the next auto-biography I read following did the same, it was a bit clearer to keep all the voices separate).
There were some minor things I took note of in the beginning. I thought it was interesting (yet a little sad) that she thought love was something only white people did because she didn’t see it openly expressed by black people. I thought NO WAY would I have been lovers with a man that ate RATS! I don’t care how GOOD he was. UH NOOO! It struck me as funny that Tina’s first impression of Ike was that he was ugly. The way she kept saying it made me laugh.
But then as the chapters went on and it got deeper into the story, I started to see something and I thought WTH? I started to notice how SQEWED What’s Love Got To Do With It really was. Yes, I know a two-hour movie couldn’t not have recapped this book page for page BUT I think there are some VERY IMPORTANT things it fudged so much that it told an entirely different story that according to this wasn’t true.
I noticed this abrupt change first when Lorraine stands over Tina with the gun in the movie and tells her “Your not worth it.” Then the next thing you know she goes in the bathroom and you hear a gunshot. I don’t think in the movie, it was made clear at all that this was Ike’s wife Then maybe it was just me but after that scene, I thought she’d went in the bathroom and committed suicide because I don’t really remember seeing her anymore. Therefore, it came as a surprise to me to find out that through most of this book and Tina’s pregnancies, he was still with and MARRIED to this woman. Which if you know this then it kind of sours the whole thing.
The marriage scene while true (in that they did get “married” in Mexico) was “fake” because he was ALREADY married and it wasn’t done out of “love”. It was done out of fear. Even the infamous cake scene happened but it didn’t happen like the movie portrayed it.
I think the biggest shock for me was when it talked about all the women. Ike makes a statement in this that he had over 100 hundred girlfriends. Also, something the movie did not get into. Although I blame myself while watching that movie as many times as I did not for making that assumption. But I guess I was so wrapped up in the drugs and the abuse that I wasn’t thinking that he was also probably a cheater. So, the boldness of having it all of a sudden thrown in my face that he did things like disguise his female employees as managers, and call his band’s wife and have them in hotels where he’d meet with them after midnight, and in their house frequently kind of hit like icy water thrown to my face. I think the most shocking was having a woman (Anne) in a room that had connecting doors. He and Tina’s room on one side. Anne’s on the other. While in the bed with Tina he got up, went over to Anne’s side, had sex with her, then came back over to Tina’s side and went to sleep. WOW! I think I was more shocked with all the women he had than all the drugs he took and the abuse. The movie prepared me for those.
There’s always a stand-out moment in these auto-biographies that I particularly admire. In this one, it’s that Tina Tuner was smart enough to know from the START that Ike wasn’t someone she wanted to get involved with. She wanted love. She was smart enough to know that he was NOT the one to give her that. She didn’t want to follow him to California but unfortunately, her fear was to great. And of course, I loved in the book AND movie where she found her courage and started fighting back (and whupped Ike’s trifling behind in that limo). I also admire that through all she went through she says she never turned to drugs or alcohol. THAT is STRENGTH!
There was a quote I wrote down that spoke to me at the end. It said “What was it like when I walked out and left Ike? Yeah I was afraid, but sometimes you’ve got to let everything go-purge yourself- I did that. I had nothing but I had my freedom. My message, and I do hope that in this book there is a message for the people-is if there is anything you are unhappy with your mother your father your husband your family your job your boss your car whatever is bringing you down GET RID OF IT Because you’ll find that when you do your true creativity and true self comes out.” I like that but it’s not so easy sometimes to rid yourself of some things (like family) even if it doesn’t make you happy.
Rating 10
The only thing I did not like was it got a little long-winded. Not only did it talk about Tina’s story it went into events AROUND her story that happened in the same year and linked events in that eara into her story which kind of made it drag slightly.
The first major thing I noticed about this one was it was written in so many voices. It wasn’t just “Tina” talking. It was Ike. It was Anne. It might be an artist that worked with Tina. It might have been the narrator. If your reading this with your eyes, you may seen when it switches to her voice. When you're reading this with your ears, (like I was off and on) it can give you a confused (hunh?) moment when you hear the narrator describing Nutbush and then hear Tina herself talking about a night spot she went to and what went on there. WAY TOO MANY VOICES! It definitely wasn’t what I was use to. The biographies I read are the celebrity themselves telling their own story without commentary from the people in their live. (Although the next auto-biography I read following did the same, it was a bit clearer to keep all the voices separate).
There were some minor things I took note of in the beginning. I thought it was interesting (yet a little sad) that she thought love was something only white people did because she didn’t see it openly expressed by black people. I thought NO WAY would I have been lovers with a man that ate RATS! I don’t care how GOOD he was. UH NOOO! It struck me as funny that Tina’s first impression of Ike was that he was ugly. The way she kept saying it made me laugh.
But then as the chapters went on and it got deeper into the story, I started to see something and I thought WTH? I started to notice how SQEWED What’s Love Got To Do With It really was. Yes, I know a two-hour movie couldn’t not have recapped this book page for page BUT I think there are some VERY IMPORTANT things it fudged so much that it told an entirely different story that according to this wasn’t true.
I noticed this abrupt change first when Lorraine stands over Tina with the gun in the movie and tells her “Your not worth it.” Then the next thing you know she goes in the bathroom and you hear a gunshot. I don’t think in the movie, it was made clear at all that this was Ike’s wife Then maybe it was just me but after that scene, I thought she’d went in the bathroom and committed suicide because I don’t really remember seeing her anymore. Therefore, it came as a surprise to me to find out that through most of this book and Tina’s pregnancies, he was still with and MARRIED to this woman. Which if you know this then it kind of sours the whole thing.
The marriage scene while true (in that they did get “married” in Mexico) was “fake” because he was ALREADY married and it wasn’t done out of “love”. It was done out of fear. Even the infamous cake scene happened but it didn’t happen like the movie portrayed it.
I think the biggest shock for me was when it talked about all the women. Ike makes a statement in this that he had over 100 hundred girlfriends. Also, something the movie did not get into. Although I blame myself while watching that movie as many times as I did not for making that assumption. But I guess I was so wrapped up in the drugs and the abuse that I wasn’t thinking that he was also probably a cheater. So, the boldness of having it all of a sudden thrown in my face that he did things like disguise his female employees as managers, and call his band’s wife and have them in hotels where he’d meet with them after midnight, and in their house frequently kind of hit like icy water thrown to my face. I think the most shocking was having a woman (Anne) in a room that had connecting doors. He and Tina’s room on one side. Anne’s on the other. While in the bed with Tina he got up, went over to Anne’s side, had sex with her, then came back over to Tina’s side and went to sleep. WOW! I think I was more shocked with all the women he had than all the drugs he took and the abuse. The movie prepared me for those.
There’s always a stand-out moment in these auto-biographies that I particularly admire. In this one, it’s that Tina Tuner was smart enough to know from the START that Ike wasn’t someone she wanted to get involved with. She wanted love. She was smart enough to know that he was NOT the one to give her that. She didn’t want to follow him to California but unfortunately, her fear was to great. And of course, I loved in the book AND movie where she found her courage and started fighting back (and whupped Ike’s trifling behind in that limo). I also admire that through all she went through she says she never turned to drugs or alcohol. THAT is STRENGTH!
There was a quote I wrote down that spoke to me at the end. It said “What was it like when I walked out and left Ike? Yeah I was afraid, but sometimes you’ve got to let everything go-purge yourself- I did that. I had nothing but I had my freedom. My message, and I do hope that in this book there is a message for the people-is if there is anything you are unhappy with your mother your father your husband your family your job your boss your car whatever is bringing you down GET RID OF IT Because you’ll find that when you do your true creativity and true self comes out.” I like that but it’s not so easy sometimes to rid yourself of some things (like family) even if it doesn’t make you happy.
Rating 10
The only thing I did not like was it got a little long-winded. Not only did it talk about Tina’s story it went into events AROUND her story that happened in the same year and linked events in that eara into her story which kind of made it drag slightly.
October 5, 2024
Let me start off by saying that my rating is based on the writing style of this book and not Tina Turner's story...
But there were some things in this book that would have you side-eyeing, rolling your eyes, & tsk tsk-ing.
The WRITING STYLE: It was a bit chaotic and all over the place. It would bounce back & forth between the interview style and the third person. I honestly felt at times as if I was getting a history lesson on rock & roll, pop, and R&B. There was SO much information about music worldwide, and I didn't feel as if it was needed most of the time.
Tina's STORY: Let me just put a couple of quotes below because I can't even put into words of how I feel about what was mentioned.
"Sometimes, at the house on Virginia Place, I might even go into his room and sleep in the bed with him and Lorraine. It was nothing bad. We were friends, that's all, close friends. " 😑 [This was a constant theme. Tina befriending--and attacking-- the OTHER woman]
"It wasn't just me, of course. He'd beat the secretaries we had, he'd beat Ann Thomas (another one of Ike's mistresses/dancers). We'd be in the car with Rhonda (tour manager/secretary/mistress) driving, and he'd be calling her foul names and pulling whole handfuls of her hair out" [...🙄 and ya'll STILL didn't group together to whoop his ass]
Ya'll, you can tell something just wasn't right mentally with Tina and I know there were major factors in place that played a role (the way women were treated as a whole; Tina's relationship with her own parents; domestic violence with no real resources on how to escape)... BUT it was hard to believe that with all these people surrounding them that nobody did/said NOTHING! The kids even started to disrespect her, but they were mostly raised by other people.
I LOVE Tina's music, and I enjoyed playing her music while I read the book, but this was a tough one to get through. It's amazing that she stood by for almost 2 decades with THAT MAN & didn't SNAP the way she snapped on some of the women. I really enjoyed reading her comeback story towards the end, but you can definitely tell how much harder a woman had to work to make it in the music industry back then.
But there were some things in this book that would have you side-eyeing, rolling your eyes, & tsk tsk-ing.
The WRITING STYLE: It was a bit chaotic and all over the place. It would bounce back & forth between the interview style and the third person. I honestly felt at times as if I was getting a history lesson on rock & roll, pop, and R&B. There was SO much information about music worldwide, and I didn't feel as if it was needed most of the time.
Tina's STORY: Let me just put a couple of quotes below because I can't even put into words of how I feel about what was mentioned.
"Sometimes, at the house on Virginia Place, I might even go into his room and sleep in the bed with him and Lorraine. It was nothing bad. We were friends, that's all, close friends. " 😑 [This was a constant theme. Tina befriending--and attacking-- the OTHER woman]
"It wasn't just me, of course. He'd beat the secretaries we had, he'd beat Ann Thomas (another one of Ike's mistresses/dancers). We'd be in the car with Rhonda (tour manager/secretary/mistress) driving, and he'd be calling her foul names and pulling whole handfuls of her hair out" [...🙄 and ya'll STILL didn't group together to whoop his ass]
Ya'll, you can tell something just wasn't right mentally with Tina and I know there were major factors in place that played a role (the way women were treated as a whole; Tina's relationship with her own parents; domestic violence with no real resources on how to escape)... BUT it was hard to believe that with all these people surrounding them that nobody did/said NOTHING! The kids even started to disrespect her, but they were mostly raised by other people.
I LOVE Tina's music, and I enjoyed playing her music while I read the book, but this was a tough one to get through. It's amazing that she stood by for almost 2 decades with THAT MAN & didn't SNAP the way she snapped on some of the women. I really enjoyed reading her comeback story towards the end, but you can definitely tell how much harder a woman had to work to make it in the music industry back then.
January 18, 2023
Trouvé en vrac parmi des livres d'occasions à 1 ou 2e, je l'avais laissé végéter depuis quelques années entre divers sacs et étagères, incapable pourtant de m'en séparer.
Le moment était donc venu et, même si le livre n'est pas toujours parfait (notes de bas de page rares mais vieillottes, quelques clichés sur le contexte histoire de certaines années) et qu'il se ponctue tôt en 1986 au climax de son come-back mythique avec sa participation filmique et musicale à Mad Max 3, empruntant la structure typique du biopic rise-fall-rise (donc avant le succès de son 6ème album solo Break Every Rule, puis "Goldeneye", "The Best", la BO du Roi Lion, la sortie de son biopic avec Laurence Fishburne et Angela Bassett, sa perf de 2008 avec Beyoncé aux Grammy Awards, etc.), si l'on aime sa musique et l'icône, ça reste vraiment incroyable.
L'arpentage de sa carrière, bousculée par les sévices constants d'Ike Turner pendant 20 ans, est finement retracé, bourré de détails sur les tournées ardues à travers l'Amérique des années 60 encore ségrégationnistes avec parfois un orchestre mixte, sur le détonnant "River deep, mountain high" avec le Spector sound par rapport à la vieillissante revue d'Ike Turner et ses Ikettes, sur les gloires méconnues du R'n'B ayant marqué sa carrière et celle d'Ike comme Jackie Brenston, Larry Williams, Jimmy Thomas, Pinetop Perkins, Big Mama Thorton, Bootsie Whitelaw (avant d'être une de leurs chansons, c'était un musicien local de sa petite enfance qu'elle adorait), sur la ville effervescente et très dangereuse de Saint-Louis des 50's, sur l'importance du label Sue, sur le tournant musical inattendu de Tina dans les années 80 avec Martyn Ware, sur son amitié avec Ann-Margaret, David Bowie (c'était sa chanteuse favorite), Ann Cain ou encore Mick Jagger, sur son rôle dans le rock-opéra Tommy en Acid Queen!, sur le fait que toutes les femmes de la Revue (Ikettes comprises ainsi que la multitude d'amantes qu'Ike eut et fit bosser) étaient battues de façon constante et inouïe mais aussi violées, traquées quand elles s'enfuyaient et exploitées économiquement, empêchant pendant longtemps toute émancipation matérielle. On a une entrevue très légère du passage de P.P. Arnold (qui connaîtra un grand succès comme Tina en Angleterre mais choisira d'y rester) parmi les Ikettes et ses propres Mémoires - bien que non traduites en français puisque le publique outre-Manche la connaît malheureusement moins - m'intéresseront également !
Le moment était donc venu et, même si le livre n'est pas toujours parfait (notes de bas de page rares mais vieillottes, quelques clichés sur le contexte histoire de certaines années) et qu'il se ponctue tôt en 1986 au climax de son come-back mythique avec sa participation filmique et musicale à Mad Max 3, empruntant la structure typique du biopic rise-fall-rise (donc avant le succès de son 6ème album solo Break Every Rule, puis "Goldeneye", "The Best", la BO du Roi Lion, la sortie de son biopic avec Laurence Fishburne et Angela Bassett, sa perf de 2008 avec Beyoncé aux Grammy Awards, etc.), si l'on aime sa musique et l'icône, ça reste vraiment incroyable.
L'arpentage de sa carrière, bousculée par les sévices constants d'Ike Turner pendant 20 ans, est finement retracé, bourré de détails sur les tournées ardues à travers l'Amérique des années 60 encore ségrégationnistes avec parfois un orchestre mixte, sur le détonnant "River deep, mountain high" avec le Spector sound par rapport à la vieillissante revue d'Ike Turner et ses Ikettes, sur les gloires méconnues du R'n'B ayant marqué sa carrière et celle d'Ike comme Jackie Brenston, Larry Williams, Jimmy Thomas, Pinetop Perkins, Big Mama Thorton, Bootsie Whitelaw (avant d'être une de leurs chansons, c'était un musicien local de sa petite enfance qu'elle adorait), sur la ville effervescente et très dangereuse de Saint-Louis des 50's, sur l'importance du label Sue, sur le tournant musical inattendu de Tina dans les années 80 avec Martyn Ware, sur son amitié avec Ann-Margaret, David Bowie (c'était sa chanteuse favorite), Ann Cain ou encore Mick Jagger, sur son rôle dans le rock-opéra Tommy en Acid Queen!, sur le fait que toutes les femmes de la Revue (Ikettes comprises ainsi que la multitude d'amantes qu'Ike eut et fit bosser) étaient battues de façon constante et inouïe mais aussi violées, traquées quand elles s'enfuyaient et exploitées économiquement, empêchant pendant longtemps toute émancipation matérielle. On a une entrevue très légère du passage de P.P. Arnold (qui connaîtra un grand succès comme Tina en Angleterre mais choisira d'y rester) parmi les Ikettes et ses propres Mémoires - bien que non traduites en français puisque le publique outre-Manche la connaît malheureusement moins - m'intéresseront également !
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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