The friendship between music icons began in the 1960s and has continued through the decades, including a legendary collaborative performance
Mick Jagger he is one of the references when talking about rock frontmen and artists in general. Famous for his character even in old age and his unique way of dancing on stage, the singer of Rolling Stones learned to move with one of the best. In the 1960s it was not uncommon to find him watching shows of Tina Turner.
In the biography Tina Turner: My Love Story (2018) (via Lontano magazine), the singer recounts her first interactions with the then young singer of Stones. During the period, Jagger praised the way Tina and her dancers would dance and then she would try to learn a few steps.
She says:
When I finally saw Mick Jagger for the first time, he was standing at the side of the stage. Later, he appeared in the locker room and said, “I like how you girls dance.” It was a little strange then. We included him in our group and taught him to do the “pony” (dance step). To this day Mick says, ‘My mother taught me to dance,’ but I know the truth.”
In an interview with Rolling Stone USA available in the book The Masters: Conversations with Dylan, Lennon, Jagger, Townshend, Garcia, Bono and Springsteen (2023), by Jann S. Wenner, Mick Jagger cite influence and even compare Tina to another great artist. The singer of Rolling Stones he said:
I was influenced by her. Many female artists are static – or certainly were. In the 60s they did their best, but they weren’t Tina. It was like a female version of Little Richard and responded to the public.”
Homage and recognition
When Tina Turner passed away in May 2023, Mick Jagger he published a message on social media confirming once again the help he received in his youth. On his profile on X, the singer wrote:
“I am so saddened by the passing of my wonderful friend Tina Turner. She truly was an enormously talented singer and performer. Tina she was inspiring, warm, funny and generous. She helped me so much when I was young and I will never forget her.”
I am so saddened by the passing of my wonderful friend Tina Turner.
She was truly an enormously talented artist and singer. She was inspiring, warm, funny and generous. She helped me so much when I was young and I will never forget her. pic.twitter.com/TkG5VrdxXO
—Mick Jagger (@MickJagger) May 24, 2023
Mick Jagger and Tina Turner together
In 1985, Jagger AND Turner they performed together in one of the most remembered events in the history of music: the Live help. The duo sang “State of shock” – originally recorded by Mick AND Michael Jackson – AND “It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It)”of Stones.
The occasion is also remembered for the moment in which the Tina is removed by the singer. Even the so-called Queen of Rock and Roll talked about it in her biography (via the website Igor Miranda):
Mick and I could never stand there and sing – it wasn’t us. We had to do something. He looked at me. I was wearing a tight black leather blouse and skirt. I could see a mischievous idea forming. “Does that skirt come off?” he asked mischievously. ‘What?’, I replied scared… ‘I’ll take off your skirt’. I asked him why, but it was too late to talk, Mick had already made up his mind. It wasn’t like some random guy took off my skirt. He was a guy I’d known for a long time.”
The friendship has remained over the years. Turner she even declared that Jagger was her famous “crush”.
The singer toured with Stones in 1966, even when she was part of the duo with her then husband, Ike Turnerand in 1981, as a solo artist. Tina also appears in the documentary Give me shelter (1970), showing a British tour of the United States in 1969.
+++READ MORE: Cher reveals Tina Turner sought advice on leaving abusive husband
Collaborator: André Luiz Fernandes.
Source: Terra
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
