Markus Leitz had counted down the times till his journey to London’s West Finish to see the musical Tina in heady anticipation. It was his second time watching the present in regards to the pioneering rock’n’roll singer, nevertheless it took on a brand new significance as a result of Tina Turner had died solely hours earlier than Leitz’s flight from Germany was as a consequence of depart.
“I didn’t even know if I ought to go, whether or not it’s the best factor to do, whether or not it’s respectful,” he stated. “However then I believed, it’s what she most likely would have wished. The present should go on.”
Turner, born in Brownsville, Tennessee, had skilled ill-health over the past decade, affected by a stroke in 2009, being recognized with intestinal most cancers in 2016 and having a kidney transplant in 2017. In a press release on 24 Could, her publicist stated: “Tina Turner, the ‘Queen of rock’n’roll’, has died peacefully right now on the age of 83 after a protracted sickness in her house in Küsnacht close to Zurich, Switzerland. Along with her, the world loses a music legend and a task mannequin.”
On Thursday night time, theatres throughout London dimmed their lights for 2 minutes at 7pm as a tribute to Turner. “The theatre world pays tribute to the immense expertise and impression of Tina Turner,” stated Hannah Essex, the co-chief govt of the Society of London Theatre and UK Theatre.
Leitz laid down a brilliant bunch of flowers towards a photograph of Turner outdoors the Aldwych theatre earlier than the efficiency, the place a small crowd had gathered to pay their respects. Some folks put down playing cards, thanking Tina for her music, and others simply stopped for a second earlier than shifting on.
“I used to be very unhappy however not unprepared as a result of folks knew she was unwell and she or he herself stated it’s OK to go, she had had life. She has all the time been a troublesome performer and that’s how I’ll keep in mind her. As soon as in Frankfurt, there was an enormous thunderstorm at a live performance and she or he saved taking part in. She stated, ‘you all sound a bit moist’ however she didn’t cease … She was inspirational actually,” stated Leitz.
As theatregoers queued alongside Aldwych, Hayley White and her mum, Laverne White, paid their respects outdoors the theatre. “It’s actually tragic, however I feel her music is everlasting, so she is going to stay on,” stated Hayley.
Laverne had booked the tickets as a fortieth birthday current for her daughter they usually had been shocked and saddened after they discovered of Turner’s dying. “Her music is iconic. You go to a marriage or something they usually all the time play Merely the Greatest or Proud Mary.
“We really feel a bit privileged developing as a result of it will be particular tonight,” she stated.
Rosemary Smith and Kaz Kilderry stopped outdoors the memorial that was forming to take images and be a “a part of historical past”.
“She’s my idol. I used to be devastated when she died. I’m not a TV individual, I’m not very savvy on the cellphone, however I put Tina Turner Proud Mary on on a regular basis. I simply liked her,” Smith stated.
The 2 girls, visiting from Queensland, Australia, stated it was a coincidence that they bought tickets for the present shortly earlier than discovering out Turner had died. “We’re right here just for three days, and we thought, let’s go and see a present, let’s go and see Tina. We bought two of the final tickets, how blessed are we?”
For Kilderry will probably be an emotional night time as Turner’s music reminds her of childhood. “We’re not as outdated as Tina, however we grew up along with her music so there’s lots of reminiscences from after we had been youngsters,” she stated.
Laverne White, earlier than going into the theatre, stated she felt it was essential that the theatre marks Turner’s dying ultimately. “I hope they are saying one thing at first [of the show],” she stated. “You’ve bought older folks there, youthful folks there. Everybody is aware of Tina Turner. Everyone. Her music is iconic.”
