Tina Turner before she was famous
A Nutbush girl grabs a mic. Rock is never the same.
1939: Born Anna Mae Bullock
In 1939, in Brownsville, Tennessee, a girl named Anna Mae Bullock is born. No stage name yet, no spotlight, just a small West Tennessee town and a birth certificate that will one day be a footnote in rock history.
Was born Anna Mae Bullock in Brownsville, Tennessee. Source
1940s-1950s: Growing up in rural Nutbush
She grows up in Nutbush, a rural community in Tennessee. Fields, dirt roads and country quiet make up the whole world of her childhood.
Grew up in the rural community of Nutbush, Tennessee. Source
mid-1950s: High schooler in the R&B scene
As a high-school student she throws herself into the rhythm-and-blues scene across the river in East St. Louis. The music isn't a hobby to her, it's the air she breathes.
mid-1950s: Watching the Kings of Rhythm
One night she watches Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm play Club Manhattan. The band is tight, loud and local royalty, and she can't take her eyes off the stage.
1956: Sings during the intermission
In 1956 she finally gets hold of a microphone during an intermission, and she sings. The room stops, because whatever just came out of that teenager is not ordinary.
Sang during a Kings of Rhythm intermission after getting hold of a microphone. Source
1956-1957: Invited to join the band
Ike Turner hears that voice and invites her to sing with the Kings of Rhythm. Just like that, the girl from the audience is standing with the band.
Was invited to sing with the Kings of Rhythm after impressing Ike Turner with her voice. Source
1958: Recording debut as Little Ann
In 1958 she makes her recording debut on a song called Boxtop, released by Tune Town Records. The label doesn't say Tina Turner yet, it says Little Ann.
Made her recording debut on Boxtop, released by Tune Town Records, using the name Little Ann. Source
1960: Sings when the vocalist no-shows
In 1960 the session for A Fool in Love is booked, but the male guide vocalist never shows up. She steps to the microphone instead, and the record that follows changes everything.
Recorded A Fool in Love after the intended male guide vocalist did not attend the scheduled session. Source
mid-1950s
Immersed herself as a high-school student in the East St. Louis rhythm-and-blues scene. Source
mid-1950s
First watched Ike Turner and the Kings of Rhythm at Club Manhattan in East St. Louis. Source