May 9, 2008
Tina Turner To Rock Anew
Taking Her Energy On Tour In October For First Time In 8 Years; Chats With Julie Chen About It
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Tina Turner (AP)
Now, "The Queen of Rock 'n Roll," is hitting the road -- in October -- after an eight-year hiatus.
With her sexy, smoky voice, and thigh-high hemlines, Turner has rocked the house for more than half a century -- becoming one of the most successful rock stars of all time, with more than 170 million albums sold.
She sat down with Early Show co-anchor Julie Chen to the keys to her powerful concerts.
"My blessing," she told Chen, "is that most of my audiences are right there with me. They know what to expect. ... They're so ready. It's just like -- even when they're in their chairs, they don't stay in their chairs very long!"
Turner admits, "It's hard for me to sing a sad song on stage, because I'm emotional. And I feel emotional about songs. And I don't want to cry in my show. ... But I like to sing the blues, because it's a bit naughty. In a good way. In a clean way."
On the other end of the scale, "Certain songs, I know, have to be sung," Turner says. " 'Proud Mary' is definitely coming. People look forward to the energy of that song."
"The ultimate," Turner says, "is the climax, when it's all over. And everyone has just danced themselves out of, all of their energy, and they're just pleased."
Turner is not only known for her voice, energy-packed performances, hair and costumes -- but for her legs. Yet, she says she "didn't develop that sense of my legs until way later in life, because it wasn't like that in the beginning. ... They didn't fit when I was young. I was like a little pony. You know, little ponies' legs are always clunk in the knees -- everything was wrong in the beginning. Well, thank God, maybe it pays off in the end!"
At 68, Turner still sizzles, Chen observes.
Her duet with Beyonce at the Grammys brought down the house -- even though Turner was wearing trousers.
"I have walked on stage a few times with trousers and the place was quiet," Turner recalls (It was as if the audience was saying) 'Go back and put on the dress!' They want to see the legs."
Through the decades, Turner's look has changed but there's no mistaking that distinctive voice.
Her fans have had to without Turner concerts since she retired in 2000.
But even her friend, screen legend Sophia Loren, told her it was time to go back on tour.
"She said, 'So, when do you go back to work?' And I said, 'I really don't want to go back, I need a little bit of a rest.' She said, 'So, you rested, you had a rest, it's time to go now! ' "
The new tour will launch in Kansas City. The final leg will take Turner back to Europe, where she's lived since the "80s.
She says European audiences are different. Monaco, in particular, is a challenge: "The ladies are all dressed up in their jewels. And I mean -- 'How do I fit there?' ... It becomes fun when you break them down and they..."
"They let out their inner-Tina Turner!" Chen chimed in.
"That's right!" Turner agreed.
Tickets to see Turner on tour go on sale Monday.
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- You go girl! She rocks big time with me. I''m 61 and my RA prevents me from some of those rocking moves I used to make back in the 70'', 80''s. and 90''s, but I can still tap my feet to Tina''s music.
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- She''s a used up old has been...
- Reply to this comment
- I''ve missed seeing Tina in the past but, I''m going to try and see her this time. I''m not her biggest fan but, I am a fan just the same. I hope to see Melanie this year too. Think I could get Tina too sign a petition to help Melanie? Tina sang and danced with Melanie once, did you know that? If you know Tina, please ask her to visit my site.
Thank you,
Jim
http://LetHerIn.org - Reply to this comment
- I''ve missed seeing Tina in the past but, I''m going to try and see her this time. I''m not her biggest fan but, I am a fan just the same. I hope to see Melanie this year too. Think I could get Tina too sign a petition to help Melanie? Tina sang and danced with Melanie once, did you know that? If you know Tina, please ask her to visit my site.
Thank you,
Jim
http://LetHerIn.org - Reply to this comment
- I''ve missed seeing Tina in the past but, I''m going to try and see her this time. I''m not her biggest fan but, I am a fan just the same. I hope to see Melanie this year too. Think I could get Tina too sign a petition to help Melanie? Tina sang and danced with Melanie once, did you know that? If you know Tina, please ask her to visit my site.
Thank you,
Jim
http://LetHerIn.org - Reply to this comment
- I''ve missed seeing Tina in the past but, I''m going to try and see her this time. I''m not her biggest fan but, I am a fan just the same. I hope to see Melanie this year too. Think I could get Tina too sign a petition to help Melanie? Tina sang and danced with Melanie once, did you know that? If you know Tina, please ask her to visit my site.
Thank you,
Jim
http://LetHerIn.org - Reply to this comment
- I''ve missed seeing Tina in the past but, I''m going to try and see her this time. I''m not her biggest fan but, I am a fan just the same. I hope to see Melanie this year too. Think I could get Tina too sign a petition to help Melanie? Tina sang and danced with Melanie once, did you know that? If you know Tina, please ask her to visit my site.
Thank you,
Jim
http://LetHerIn.org - Reply to this comment
- Tina: Please make a stop in the Twin Cities. I''d love to see your concert. I love you, babe. You are one AWSOME WOMAN! Keep on Rockin''!
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- Rock on Tina!!! Love them legs!!!
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- Big wheels keep on turnin'',
Proud Mary keep on burnin'',
Rollin''
Rollin''
Rollin'' down the River!!! - Reply to this comment
- TINA THE DIVA IS BACK ! Sweet I would love to see her. I saw Ray Charles 10 years ago at Starlight Theater in Kansas City, Fantastic Show! I AM GLAD YOUR ON TOUR AGAIN TINA YOU KNOW HOW TO ROCK IT AND YOUR ARE A FABULOUS DIVA.
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