Written with Rolling Stone and MTV journalist Kurt Loder, I, TINA recounts the life of Tina Turner, the singer who, for an international pop audience, came to represent soul music for much of the late 20th century. Born Anna Mae Bullock in the backwater town of Nutbush, Tennessee, Turner's route to stardom was that of many soul singers, via gospel music. Something of a double-edged break came when she was discovered by musician and producer Ike Turner. Ike isn't portrayed here as either a model employer or a model husband: he subjected his wife to a constant cycle of violence and reconciliation, and it was not until Tina was persuaded by producer Phil Spector to sing on his legendary River Deep, Mountain High that hints of her own talent became apparent. She eventually emerged from the abusive relationship with a career of her own, including movie roles in Ken Russell's film of the Who's TOMMY and the Mel Gibson vehicle MAD MAX BEYOND THUNDERDOME, and a revived music career in Europe. Though Tina Turner's story is the depressingly familiar one of battered women everywhere, it's also that of a remarkable performer and an outstandingly resilient woman. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.