For our second Tina Turner fan of the month post, we got to know a bit more of Tina’s American superfan Laurel! We asked Laurel a few questions about her Tina Turner passion!
Laurel and Tina Turner's dancers
Name: Laurel
Hometown: Corpus Christi, TX, USA
Favorite Tina song: Addicted to Love or Heard It Through The Grapevine (live version)
Favorite Tina album: Wildest Dreams
Favorite Tina tour: Twenty Four Seven
Number of Tina concerts: between 20 – 25
What is your favorite Tina song?
“Addicted to Love or Heard It Through The Grapevine (live version), very difficult to decide!”
What is your favorite Tina album?
“Wildest Dreams – mainly because that was the first time I saw her live!”
What is your favorite Tina Tour?
“Twenty Four Seven. It was wonderful to finally get to meet so many Tina fans and many are now life long friends.”
How did you discover Tina?
“As I recall, it was from seeing her on either American Bandstand or Soul Train – I loved her energy, voice and dancing!”
What do you think was the reason you were first attracted to Tina?
“Her voice, her dancing, her energy, and I love anything with a good beat. Back then I had no clue as to what she was going through with Ike – I just loved the music.”
What is the craziest thing you did for Tina?
“I helped make her a quilt! Another fan, Judy, who lived only a few hours away from me, suggested we make Tina a ‘fan quilt’ and she needed help. I’d never made a quilt in my life but the two of us ended up with quilt panels from all over the world. With Elle’s help in getting it to the right person, we were told it was given to Tina and she loved it.”
Homemade Tina Quilt by Laurel
If you could ask Tina one question, what would you ask?
“I don’t know that I’d have a question as much as I’d like to just tell her that because of her, there is a beautiful group of people who have built worldwide friendships.”
How many Tina concerts did you go to?
“Somewhere between 20 and 25 both in the US and Europe. I’m a novice compared to many other fans!
I was only able to go to 2 during Wildest Dreams. I’d only been to one concert in my life – to see Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, but in ’97 my mother passed away and I heard that Tina was going to be in Houston. It was a dream of mine to see her in concert so my husband and I went to her first concert on that tour and I was hooked and i knew that after I lost my Mom I’d need something to give me a ‘kick start’ and seeing Tina helped me get over that slump.As I recall, I went to 9 during Twenty Four Seven Tour and something like 10 times for “50th Anniversary Tour.”
Any story or anecdote related to Tina you would like to share?
“I think the funniest one was about my husband – we were in Vegas and a couple of other fans knew that Ken was crazy about Ivona. They saw the girls playing black jack and told them there was ‘this older guy’ who would like to meet them. The girls were great and told us to meet them in an area behind the stage. We did, and I have a great picture of Ken with Ivona. I’ve been fortunate to have met most of the dancers and band members and they couldn’t be a nicer group of people.”
Laurel and husband Ken
What is your favourite Tina moment?
“During her very last concerts in Anaheim (2000) and in Sheffield (2009), I was on the front row for both and Tina walked across the stage and acknowledged all of us – getting that little wink or having her blow a kiss had me smiling for weeks!!”
Ever get tired of Tina?
“Absolutely not!! LOL”
Do you ever get strange reactions from other people because you are such a big Tina fan?
“Actually, most people are in awe of getting to see her so many times, in so many venues and being able to do so right down front! What surprises people is that I actually joined a fan club!! LOL”
What other music do you like?
“Rolling Stones, Joe Cocker, Cyndi Lauper, Peter Gabriel, Dolly Parton and a whole list of others.”
Will Tina ever tour again?
“I’d like to think so, but I doubt it. I don’t think I would if I were in her shoes!”
Laurel, age 4
Thanks Laurel, for taking the time to answer our questions and sharing your memories about Tina!
Really enjoyed reading Laurel’s interview, it is wonderful to have had so many opportunities to see Tina’s show and even meet the dancers! Wow, congratulations!:)
Tina Turner Blog 
Thnx Ben and Sjef… I am curious how long this list of fans is going to be.. And to Laurel, thnx for your sharing your Tina story!
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Great story Laurel. I met you at a concert awhile back but lost touch – glad to see you on here. Hugs – Gary
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Nice, cute to see Laurel at the age of 4 😉
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Hey Laurel, just read this, wonderful! Love your stories and pictures 🙂
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chance d’avoir été en concert,
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Oui !
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Really enjoyed reading Laurel’s interview, it is wonderful to have had so many opportunities to see Tina’s show and even meet the dancers! Wow, congratulations!:)
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