A stunning 10-foot statue of the iconic rock n’ roll queen Tina Turner was unveiled on Saturday in Brownsville, Tennessee, the small rural community where she grew up. This momentous occasion took place during a special ceremony at a local park, celebrating the life and legacy of the Grammy-winning singer, electrifying stage performer, and one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers.
Brownsville, a quaint city with a population of about 9,000 people, is located roughly an hour's drive east of Memphis. This community is situated near Nutbush, Turner’s childhood home where she attended school. Notably, as a teenager, she went to high school just steps away from where her statue now stands, making this unveiling particularly poignant for the local community and her fans alike.
The statue, which captures Turner in her signature wild hairdo while holding a microphone, was designed by the talented sculptor Fred Ajanogha. He expressed his intention to embody her dynamic movement on stage, emphasizing how she held the microphone with her index finger extended, and likening her hairstyle to the “mane of a lion.” Ajanogha crafted the statue in clay in Atlanta before it was cast in bronze by a foundry in West Tennessee. The entire process took about a year to complete, resulting in a statue that stands at an impressive height of 10 feet (3 meters), consisting of a 7 feet 9 inches statue on a 2 feet base.
Tina Turner passed away on May 24, 2023, at the age of 83 after a long illness in her home in Küsnacht, near Zurich. Her remarkable career included a series of hit songs such as “Nutbush City Limits,” “Proud Mary,” “Private Dancer,” and “We Don’t Need Another Hero,” from the film “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.” Turner also made her mark in the film industry, with credits that include “Tommy” and “Last Action Hero.” Alongside her husband Ike Turner, she achieved fame during the 1960s and '70s, and after overcoming a troubled marriage, she experienced a resurgence in her career with the chart-topping hit “What’s Love Got To Do With It” in 1984. Her influence spanned generations, earning her admiration from artists like Mick Jagger, Beyoncé, and Mariah Carey, solidifying her status as the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.
The unveiling of the statue was part of the annual Tina Turner Heritage Days, a celebration dedicated to honoring her life and upbringing in rural Tennessee before she ventured out as a teenager. The event attracted numerous visitors, including Karen Cook, who traveled from Georgia to attend with her friend, a cousin of Turner’s. “She’s a great artist, I love her music,” said Cook, 59. “My mom listened to her a lot. It’s a big deal and a great thing for the community to have Tina Turner in her small town.”
The statue was made possible through the contributions of about 50 donors, including a significant donation of $150,000 from Ford Motor Co.. The automotive giant is currently building an electric truck factory in nearby Stanton, further highlighting the community's connection to this celebration of one of its most famous residents.
