'Queen of Rock n Roll' Tina Turner dead at 83

Tina Turner speaks during the “Tina - The Tina Turner Musical” opening night at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 07, 2019 in New York City.
Tina Turner speaks during the “Tina - The Tina Turner Musical” opening night at Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on November 07, 2019 in New York City. Photo credit John Lamparski/Getty Images

Tina Turner, the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” died at the age of 83 on Wednesday, a representative of the singer announced.

The "What's Love Got To Do With It" singer won six of her eight Grammy Awards in the 1980s, with a string of hits including "Typical Male," "The Best," "Private Dancer" and "Better Be Good to Me." Her 1988 show in Rio de Janeiro drew 180,000 people, which remains one of the largest concert audiences for any single performer, according to Reuters.

But she wasn't just a powerhouse live on stage. She also made waves in the movie industry. Her abuse at the hands of ex-husband Ike Turner took center stage in a movie about their life.

"The superstar was forthcoming about the abuse she suffered from her former husband during their marital and musical partnership in the 1960s and 1970s. She described bruised eyes, busted lips, a broken jaw and other injuries that repeatedly sent her to the emergency room," Reuters reported.

"Tina's story is not one of victimhood but one of incredible triumph," singer Janet Jackson wrote about Turner, in a Rolling Stone issue that placed Turner at No. 63 on a list of the top 100 artists of all time.

"She's transformed herself into an international sensation - an elegant powerhouse," Jackson said.

Longtime music journalist Gary Graff told WWJ 950 "she was just this iconic figure who knew how to take a song, whether she wrote it or somebody else wrote it and turn it into the definitive piece of music.

He added "there are not that many singers who have that kind of instantly recognizable character to their voice."

Featured Image Photo Credit: John Lamparski/Getty Images