Afternoon:
10°c
John Aizlewood's rating
, Tina Turner hits the turbo
By
John Aizlewood
4 Mar 2009
If Take That’s comeback is the most spectacular of recent years, it’s dwarfed by Tina Turner’s half-century riches-uppers-riches saga.
A Sixties soul star, she seemed a lost cause by the early Eighties until Heaven 17 emerged as unlikely saviours. Since then, according to the Guinness Book Of Records, she has sold more concert tickets than any other artist, and despite not playing Britain since 2000 and not having had a non-compilation Top 10 album this century, she remains astonishingly popular.
Never a songwriter, the source of her appeal has always been her turbo-charged live show rather than her beige, pop-soul records. Last night, she showed why with a lavishly staged, expertly choreographed, hit-strewn performance which injected such new life into barnacled old tosh such as The Best that even those marooned at the back of the 02 were dancing like it was 1989.
Turner will be 70 in November, but even after two high-octane hours, backed by a supertight band including Seventies hitmaker John Miles, she spent Nutbush City Limits gyrating like a frisky puppy on a giant crane as it swooped her above the audience.
Then, she was dressed as a toreador, but that was Turner at her most dressed, if we exclude the grim evening dress and Bet Lynch wig on We Don’t Need Another Hero.
If the prospect of a pensioner in a microskirt telling us she likes it (whatever “it” may be) “rough” makes anyone not a man over 75 feel slightly queasy, then, in this case at least, it’s time to think again.
Naturally, where she aches this morning must remain between her and her doctor but I was exhausted just watching her. Glorious.
Tina Turner plays the O2 Arena tonight, 7, 8, 11 March.
Details are correct at the time of publication - please check with venue before booking.
Reader views (13)
I had the chance to see her last night (3rd May) for a postponed gig. I'd personally hyped it up too much, and I knew it. How could she have any hope of pulling off the kind of spectacular, once in a lifetime event that I had been dying to see since I was ten? And then, well, then, she just came out and sang. There's really not a lot more to say, but that I got home shaking with excitement. It's not a question of being old and still pulling it off; it is simply a question of great soul, rich pounding vocals, and a warm stage presence that stems from a genuine delight of entertaining. She totally rocked the O2, and she loved it as much as we did. She even managed to get the oldies on their feet and forget their embarrassment for a good portion of the show. It was a near flawless vocal performance. She shunned none of the big notes, and pulled out a few surprises too. I walked away with a sore throat from just singing along. Thanks Tina, for an unforgettable night.
- William Haviland, United Kingdom, 04/05/2009 12:10
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went to Tina Turner saturday 7th March at the o2.
great fantastic, "simply the best" what a performer at the age 70.
Nutbush city limits oncore - what a fantastic end to a wounderful show.
the musicians also one of the best backing groups ever heard
so honnered that I have seen her - possibly her last - but she danced and sang tonight as if it was her first gig!
- Michael Alexander, borehamwood UK, 08/03/2009 21:11
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I went to see Tina on Tues. 3rd. Though we had only a side view- with the help of a Big Screen , we were still able to appreciate Tina's fantastic talent.We are so lucky to have tickets for her Dublin show because this will definitely be her "Swan Song" tour. I expected her to have slowed down a little since I last saw her in 2000 but its better she has got. Better looking, moving better than ever, singing better than ever etc etc. My God let me have whatever she's on because I was exhausted just looking at her. In these recessionary, gloom and doom times its so uplifting to see someone like Tina Turner who overcame complete downfall through no fault of her own. Thank you Tina for a wonderful experience. We love you.
- John Wren, Ireland, 06/03/2009 18:00
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I've seen hundreds of gigs over the last 25 years and this ranks as one of the best, I was simply blown away with Tina, her voice, her strutting, the spectucular sets, the dancers, the fireworks... just everything. Her voice kicks like a donkey and god, does she know how to belt them out. She moves like someone 40 years younger and still looks as sexy as ever. I was on my feet the whole time, I haven't had so much fun in years! I nearly saw her in 1983 at the Manchester Apollo when I was 15, but that loss was more than made up for by this experience. Don't miss out if you get the chance.
- Andrew, London, 06/03/2009 10:20
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Totally awesome show; best vocals I've heard in years, Tina simply rocked the O2. River Deep Mountain High will stay with me forever it was just so good - she is simply the best!
- Grant, Glasgow, Scotland, 05/03/2009 21:19
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Went to see Tina Turner on Tues she absolutely ROCKED,we were on our feet singing and dancing the whole show,fantastic !!!!! she looks amazing,great legs such energy for her age i was so tired the next day and I'm only 41 and was not on stage strutting my stuff like her.If you can get a ticket go and see her.She is SIMPLY BEST BETTER THAN ALL THE REST.
The rain after didn't dampen our night we went home on a high.
THANKYOU TINA & TEAM..!!!!
- Kim, lydden,Kent, 05/03/2009 10:19
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my excitement was almost exsposive on the way to london yesterday, the thought of seeing tina turner sing live at the 02, being stuck in traffic for nearly two hours in london, getting to see this maga star sing was worth 6 hours on the road, iv never been more pleased to see such a great turn of her fans fill this stadium, her deliverance was fantastic and electric the show was undoutable the best iv seen, it was SIMPLY THE BEST.
- Dawn Baker, plymouth devon, 04/03/2009 22:08
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I am aching everywhere today, have a bit of a cold because it was pouring with rain last night, but I am as Happy as can be.
What a show, what a star. I am so lucky I got to see it.
She is fantastic, and if there is one show of all those I have ever seen that I would not have missed for the world, this is the one. Amazing woman. Such an inspiration. Thank you Tina...
- Maria, London, 04/03/2009 18:19
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An amazing concert by one amazing woman!!!! If you don't have tickets I highly recommend getting some, you really don't want to miss Tina Turner live in concert. She is the best ever!
- Shane Yates, Oxford, 04/03/2009 16:30
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We saw her at Mannheim SAP-Arena some days OK. She was BRILLIANT. She had the crowd dancing through the whole phantastic show!
- Chris, Mannheim, Germany, 04/03/2009 15:37
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This was our first concert at the 02, what a fantastic show, TIna Turner must be one of the all time greats. She is an amazing lady, I would recommend that if you can obtain tickets before the 11th March do so.
- Tony Baldwin, CHINGFORD, 04/03/2009 15:32
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No wonder she is one of the Greats ! Amazing voice, amazing legs, and I am in awe of her , she does make you feel exchausted, and ashamed at the same time that she can dance and have so much energy at the age of 69, my god she was brilliant. I recommend any one to see the show and feel so uplifted.
- Lindajanemiller, IChigwell Essex., 04/03/2009 13:17
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I couldn't agree more, what a fantastic performance, I too danced like it was 1989! it was simply the best
- Annette, London, 04/03/2009 13:13
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