Tina Turner Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

CAPTION: Tina Turner proudly shows off her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame award, highlighting her achievements as a solo artist, with a pre-recorded message during the induction ceremony held at the Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse in Cleveland, Ohio, Saturday, October 30, 2021. Photo by Alberto Venzago.

BROWNSVILLE TN (November 1, 2021): The Queen of Rock and Roll wasn’t in Cleveland, Ohio, Saturday evening (October 30, 2021) for her second induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But scores of fans were and celebrities were quick to pay tribute to the little girl from Nutbush who grew up to become an international music icon.

“If they’re still giving me awards at 81, I must have done something right,” Turner said through a pre-recorded video message. “I’m very happy to have this.”

Turner had previously been inducted as a part of the duo Ike and Tina Turner in 1991. But this induction was clearly all about her amazing solo career and 50 + years of contributions to the music industry.

Angela Bassett, who portrayed Turner in the 1993 biopic movie “What’s Love Got To Do with It,” had the honor of inducting Turner. Her moving speech spoke of how Turner has been a role model and inspiration to all who know her and her music.

“Imagine,” said Bassett, “a black girl in Nutbush, Tennessee who embodied more talent than her small town could have ever dreamed. Imagine that same girl breaking through every barrier to one day make history. That woman, that queen — Tina Turner — is who we are here tonight to celebrate. What a life Tina has led. Her story has become a film, a documentary, a blockbuster Broadway show, and a best-selling autobiography. People still regularly tell me how much Tina has meant to them. I know exactly what they mean. Because she has meant that much, and more, to me. I, too, am one of those people blessed by Tina’s remarkable gift to inspire.”

Musicians paying tribute to Turner during the ceremony held at Cleveland’s Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse, included Keith Urban and H.E.R., Mickey Guyton and Christina Aguilera.

This bigger than life image of Tina Turner filled the arena as Keith Urban and H.E.R. performed a duet of “It’s Only Love,” a song Turner originally recorded as a duet for Bryan Adams’ 1984 album Reckless, during Saturday’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction. Photo by Dotty Wells Graff.

Turner sent this message to fans through her official social media channels, along with a photo holding the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame award, after the induction: “As you can surely tell from my beaming smile: I am thrilled to now be officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a solo artist. What an honor! I am grateful to so many beloved people who believed in me and stood by me on my journey here – especially you, my fans. Keep on rocking!”

Other members of the Class of 2021 inductees included: Carole King, The Go-Go’s, JAY-Z, Foo Fighters, Todd Rundgren, Kraftwerk, Charley Patton, Gil Scott-Heron, LL Cool J, Billy Preston, Randy Rhoads and Clarence Avant.

You can see a collection of Turner’s stage costumes and gold record awards exhibited inside her childhood school, Flagg Grove School, located on the grounds of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville. For more information about the museum, please call 731-779-9000 or visit the website: www.westtnheritage.com/ tina-turner-museum. The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday 9-5 and Sundays 1-5.