Simply TINA, Book Review

“Simply Tina’ by Paul Cox is a remarkable collection of photographs capturing Tina Turner’s iconic moments.

When Paul Cox captured Tina Turner’s legendary 1983 comeback performance with Heaven 17 on Channel 4’s The Tube, it was the beginning of a friendship that would last for over two decades. During that time, Paul was commissioned to photograph Tina on numerous video shoots and live performances.

These color pages kickstart in 1983, chronicling Tina’s comeback with Heaven 17 on ‘The Tube’ and her debut single ‘Let’s Stay Together.’ This marked the beginning of a lifelong friendship and numerous commissions. Spanning 144 pages, these captivating photos, both black and white and in vivid color, unfold over two decades—a period of monumental change in the music industry and for Tina herself. Tina’s electrifying performances were perfectly suited for the emerging music video era, igniting with the arrival of MTV.

Get a glimpse of Tina’s real essence in candid shots during video shoots for hits like ‘Private Dancer’ and ‘Typical Male.’ You’ll be captivated by her sense of humor and authenticity. Witness Tina’s grace and beauty even in challenging conditions, like the rain-soaked night during the recording of ‘Two People.Tina’s live performances were electric, though capturing her in action was a hurricane of its own. These photos are high voltage!

Explore precious photo negatives and behind-the-scenes moments that offer a unique perspective of Tina’s life. Simply Tina’ isn’t just a coffee table book; it’s a treasured archive filled with the essence of freshly published pages. Paul Cox’s words, beautifully transcribed by Daryl Easlea, offer insight, respect, and endearment. Their shared moments, like Tina’s graceful tumble in her 60s, show her indomitable spirit.

I’m not an emotional person but I can tell you that I had my eyes filled with tears going through this marvelous piece of work. It is a must have for every TINA fan.

Our enduring heroine, remains an icon—’What You Get Is What You See,’ just as she told us and to quote Martyn Ware from the book’s foreword:

There will never be another Tina. I miss her, you miss her, we will all miss her for ever – but at least we have these precious memories…