Fans remember the moment Tina Turner surprised Oprah Winfrey for her 50th birthday
For Oprah Winfrey's 50th birthday celebration, Tina Turner flew in from Switzerland to surprise her friend with a performance of "Simply the Best."
Winfrey's shock and joy is palpable in the clip, which is going viral on Twitter. As John Travolta alludes to Turner's arrival ("she flew in from Switzerland to tell you that you're 'simply the best'"), Winfrey shoots to her feet. She later joined Turner on stage.
“Y’all remember when John Travolta surprised Oprah on her birthday with Tina Turner?” one shared. “And Oprah just lost her mind? And Tina just gliding down them steps and started performing. I always loved that moment.”
Winfrey's long friendship with Turner, more broadly, was also remembered, with someone suggesting someone "check on Oprah" in a Twitter post. They continued, “She ran around with that Tina Turner wig for a whole season of her talk show.”
In 2011, Oprah followed Turner around the country for her “Wildest Dreams Tour.”
Magic Johnson: Tina Turner 'created the blueprint'
Basketball legend Magic Johnson paid tribute to another legend in a tweet which included a photo of him with Turner.
"Rest in peace to one of my favorite artists of all time, the legendary queen of rock n’ roll Tina Turner. I’ve seen her many many times and hands down, she gave one of the best live shows I’ve ever seen," he wrote, and continued in a second tweet.
"Tina would have so much energy during her performances and was a true entertainer. She created the blueprint for other great entertainers like Janet Jackson and Beyoncé and her legacy will continue on through all high-energy performing artists. Cookie and I are praying for her husband and all of her friends and family," he wrote in another.
Mick Jagger shares statement on the passing of his 'wonderful friend'
Tina Turner and Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger had a decades long relationship of mutual admiration. Earlier this year, Turner told the Guardian she "always had a crush" on Mick Jagger. They performed together multiple times in the '80s. In 1985, she performed with Jagger at the Live Aid Festival in Philadelphia. During the performance, Jagger tried to rip Turner's skirt off on stage.
Jagger posted a statement to Facebook: "I’m so saddened by the passing of my wonderful friend Tina Turner. She was truly an enormously talented performer and singer. She was inspiring, warm, funny and generous. She helped me so much when I was young and I will never forget her," he wrote.
Flowers to be placed on Turner's Walk of Fame star
Flowers will be placed on Turner's star today at 2 pm PT, per a Walk of Fame spokesperson. Turner’s star is located 1750 N. Vine Street in front of the historic Capitol Records building, and was placed there in 1986.
Bryan Adams remembers meeting Tina Turner
Singer Bryan Adams remembered his own brush with the legend in a Twitter tribute.
"My condolences to Erwin and Tina’s family. I’ll be forever grateful for the time we spent together on tour, in the studio and as friends. Thank you for being the inspiration to millions of people around the world for speaking your truth and giving us the gift of your voice. It’s Only Love and that’s all," Adams wrote.
George Takei shares tribute: 'A true legend has passed'
George Takei wrote a Twitter tribute weaving in many references to Turner's music.
"A true legend has passed. Tina Turner has died at the age of 83. She was our River Deep and our Mountain High, the Private Dancer in our hearts. She showed us that love really does has everything to do with it, and that we really did need another hero. And she was it. Rest now, Proud Mary. Raise your voice high in the heavens," he wrote.
White House press secretary reacts
When asked about Turner's death by NBC's Peter Alexander during a press briefing, Karine Jean-Pierre responded with emotion.
"Tina Turner was an icon, a music icon who had many stages and many amazing moments in her career. Very sad to hear the news. I was a huge fan of Tina Turner. As you can see from my reaction, that is the first I’m hearing of it. And it is a massive loss, massive loss to the communities that that loved her and certainly to the music industry, and her music will live will continue to live on very sad. Our hearts go out to her family and her friends on on her on their loss," she said, per NBC News.
Tina Turner declared dead at 83 in official statement
A statement posted to the singer's Facebook and Instagram read as follows: "It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tina Turner. With her music and her boundless passion for life, she enchanted millions of fans around the world and inspired the stars of tomorrow. Today we say goodbye to a dear friend who leaves us all her greatest work: her music. All our heartfelt compassion goes out to her family. Tina, we will miss you dearly."