Tina Turner's Style Through The Years Was Iconic And Yes, Simply The Best
Tina Turner, the legendary rock and R&B singer who started off in the Ike & Tina Turner Revue before launching a successful solo career, died Wednesday at 83. Turner died at her home near Zurich, Switzerland, a representative told Reuters.
Turner was known for her roaring, raspy voice ― a voice that led to her being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame not once, but twice. But her image was equally unparalleled: The fringe! Those legs! That swagger that even Mick Jagger couldn’t best!
Of course, fashion had a lot to do with her image as well: The woman widely known as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll” rocked everything from sequined minidresses to mod leather miniskirts and, in later life, even some completely sheer jumpsuits (and this was before “naked dresses” were a red carpet staple).
Below, we walk through some of the fashion icon’s most unforgettable looks.
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
1961
A 1961 promotional portrait of Tina Turner and her ex-husband, Ike Turner.
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
1961
Performing in Texas.
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
1964
Posing for a 1964 promotional photo.
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
1964
In purple performing with Ike in Dallas Fort Worth, Texas.
Charlie Gillett Collection via Getty Images
1965
Posing with Ike for a 1965 promotional portrait.
David Redfern via Getty Images
September 1966
In sunglasses for a performance on the television show "Ready Steady Go!" at Wembley Television Studios in London.
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
1969
The R&B duo in a 1969 portrait.
Len Trievnor via Getty Images
March 1969
The former couple at the London Airport on their way to Los Angeles in March 1969.
Jack Robinson via Getty Images
November 1969
Wearing a dark crocheted mini-dress for a promotional photo.
Walter Iooss Jr via Getty Images
November 1969
Performing in a fringe dress during a concert at the Felt Forum in New York City.
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
1970
Posing for a portrait in a bell-bottom jumpsuit.
Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images via Getty Images
July 1971
Performing in a red beaded dress during the Schaefer Music Festival at Wollman Rink in Central Park in New York City.
Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
September 1971
Performing in a sequined mini-dress at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles, California.
Peter Bischoff via Getty Images
1973
Performing "Nutbush City Limits" in a red jumpsuit on a German television program.
Anwar Hussein via Getty Images
1975
In a fur coat for a 1975 promo shot.
WWD via Getty Images
March 1975
At the New York premiere of "Tommy" in New York City on March 18, 1975.
CBS Photo Archive via Getty Images
April 1975
Performing on "Cher," the solo music and variety show spinoff Cher hosted after the "Sonny & Cher Comedy Hour" had concluded. From left is Cher, Turner and Kate Smith.
David Redfern via Getty Images
October 1975
Performing on stage in a patterned dress at the Hammersmith Odeon in London on October 24, 1975.
Harry Langdon via Getty Images
1977
In a white suit and fedora in Los Angeles, California.
Harry Langdon via Getty Images
1977
Posing in a winged-costume for a promo shot in Los Angeles, California.
David Redfern via Getty Images
March 1979
In animal print at the Hammersmith Odeon in London during her "Wild Lady of Rock" tour.
Gai Terrell via Getty Images
1979
Performing in Bob Mackie-designed bodysuit in 1979.
Ron Galella via Getty Images
May 1981
With Grace Jones at the Ritz in New York City.
Fin Costello via Getty Images
April 1982
In denim at the Hammersmith Odeon in London.
Aaron Rapoport via Getty Images
1984
Wearing a blue jumpsuit for a promo photo.
Paul Natkin via Getty Images
June 1984
Performing in leather at the Rosemont Horizon in Rosemont, Illinois.
Dave Hogan via Getty Images
1985
Performing in a leather dress with David Bowie and at the NEC Birmingham in the UK.
Lester Cohen via Getty Images
January 1985
Picking up an award at the 12th Annual American Music Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California.
frederic meylan via Getty Images
July 1986
In harem pants at her home in London.
James Andanson via Getty Images
December 1986
In fur on vacation in Gstaad, Switzerland.
Rob Verhorst via Getty Images
May 1987
Performing in red leather in 1987.
Dave Hogan via Getty Images
November 1989
Celebrating her 50th birthday with her husband Erwin Bach.
Dave Hogan via Getty Images
1990
Performing at Wembley Stadium in 1990.
New York Daily News Archive via Getty Images
1991
Performing at Radio City Music Hall in 1991.
Dana Nalbandian via Getty Images
June 1993
Performing at the Gorge Amphitheatre in Grant County, Washington
Dave Hogan via Getty Images
1995
Posing for a photo shoot at Pinewood Studios in London during the promotion for the 1995 Bond film "GoldenEye." Turner sang the theme song.
Fred Duval via Getty Images
November 1996
At the "Goldeneye" press conference in London.
NBC via Getty Images
April 1997
Performing on the "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on April 25, 1997.
picture alliance via Getty Images
1999
With her husband Erwin Bach at a Mercedes-Benz event.
Mirrorpix via Getty Images
July 2000
Performing at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Wales.
Paul Hawthorne via Getty Images
October 2003
At the New York premiere of Walt Disney's "Brother Bear" at the New Amsterdam Theater in New York City, New York.
Frederick M. Brown via Getty Images
May 2005
With her husband Erwin Bach at Oprah Winfrey's Legends Ball at the Bacara Resort and Spa on May 14, 2005 in Santa Barbara, California.
Jeff Snyder via Getty Images
December 2005
At the 28th Annual Kennedy Center Honors in Washington D.C.
Kevin Mazur via Getty Images
February 2008
Performing with Beyoncé in matching silver at the 50th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the Staples Center on February 10, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
Dave Hogan via Getty Images
January 2009
Performing in red at the first night of her European tour at the Cologne Arena on January 14, 2009 in Cologne, Germany.
GIUSEPPE CACACE via Getty Images
February 2011
Posing at the Emporio Armani Fall-Winter 2011-2012 ready-to-wear collection on February 26, 2011 during women's fashion week in Milan.
ChinaFotoPress
May 2012
Attending an Armani fashion show on May 31, 2012 in Beijing, China.
Daniele Venturelli via Getty Images
June 2013
Attending the 'One Night Only Roma' Giorgio Armani fashion show on June 5, 2013 in Rome, Italy.
Jacopo M. Raule via Getty Images
April 2015
With husband Erwin Bach at the Giorgio Armani 40th anniversary silos opening and cocktail reception on April 30, 2015 in Milan, Italy.
KOEN VAN WEEL via Getty Images
January 2016
Presenting Dutch musical and theater producer, Joop van den Ende a life achievement award during the Dutch Musical Awards at the Beatrix Theatre in Utrecht, on January 6, 2016.
Ian West - PA Images via Getty Images
October 2017
At a photocall for "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" at The Hospital Club on October 17, 2017 in London, England.
Bertrand Rindoff Petroff via Getty Images
July 2018
Attending the Giorgio Armani Prive Haute Couture Fall Winter 2018/2019 show as part of Paris Fashion Week on July 3, 2018 in Paris, France.
GEORG WENDT via Getty Images
March 2019
At the premiere of the musical "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" at Stage Operettenhaus on March 3, 2019 in Hamburg, Germany.
Variety via Getty Images
November 2019
With Adrienne Warren during the opening night of "Tina: The Tina Turner Musical" at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 07, 2019 in New York City.