Tina Turner's 'unforgettable' performances in the East of England
The Queen of Rock 'n' Roll has died aged 83
Last updated 25th May 2023
Tina Turner, the legendary Queen of Rock 'n' Roll, who captivated audiences around the world with her electrifying performances and powerful voice, has died at 83.
Over the course of her remarkable career, she has graced stages in various regions, including the East of England, where' she's' been remembered as 'the business' and 'a spectacular performer'.
From intimate venues to grand stadiums, Turner has left an indelible mark on fans in the region with her energetic shows and timeless hits.
One standout performance occurred at Portman Road in Ipswich in 1990.
As part of her "Wildest Dreams" tour, Tina Turner mesmerized a massive crowd with her signature blend of soul, rock, and pop.
With hits like "What's Love Got to Do with It" and "Proud Mary," she ignited the stadium with her dynamic stage presence and unmatched vocal prowess.
Entertainment Agent Barry Dye played a key role in bringing Tina Turner to Ipswich in 1990.
After finding out he knew the worldwide promoter he gave him a call to see if she would play at the local football stadium:
"I said, what about Tina coming to Ipswich... he (her agent) laughed and said Where's Ipswich?
"I said it's in east Anglia and he said 'I'll ask Tina and get back to you... Tina said YES!"
"It meant an awful lot to Ipswich and set the scene for performances to follow"
"She had the dance moves, that incredible voice... she really was the business"
In the summer of 2000, Tina Turner returned to the UK with her "Twenty Four Seven" tour, which marked her final major world tour before retirement.
Thousands of fans gathered to witness the incomparable Tina perform seven dates across the UK.
Lauren from Buckinghamshire, went to see Tina at Wembley. It was her first ever gig:
"I was so small I could literally not see a thing. A security guard took me right up to the rails at the front. I was just this little girl, looking up at this ICON. She was amazing"
"She was dancing on stage, glittering in sparkles and sequins. Such an icon to go and see as my first ever concert".
Throughout her career, Tina Turner has performed at various other venues in the East of England, enchanting audiences with her magnetic stage presence.
Each performance showcased Turner's ability to create an unforgettable experience for her devoted fans - as well as inspiring many to emulate her.
Keilah is a Tina Turner tribute act in Essex.
She's told Greatest Hits Radio Tina's left a big musical hole in her life:
"I'm gonna miss her music, but I'll hold on to the memories".
"It's a massive loss for up and coming women artists to lose such a figure in the history of music. It will be so hard to live up to her standard and for us to find another Tina Turner"