Jimmy Barnes Pays Touching Tribute To Tina Turner, Reveals The Eerie Moment He Discovered The Music Icon Had Died At 83
Jimmy Barnes paid tribute to Tina Turner on Thursday night following the music icon’s death at the age of 83.
The Aussie rocker appeared on The Project and was happy to share his memories of recording her iconic hit (Simply) The Best – and the creepy way he found out she had died Switzerland.
“I woke up at four this morning, I don’t know why,” the Working Class Man hitmaker told the panel.
“I couldn’t sleep, but I turned on the radio for a second and it said Tina passed away, so I couldn’t sleep,” he added.
He then phoned the recording of Simply The Best with Turner in 1992, which was used in a promotion for the NSW Rugby League.
Jimmy Barnes paid tribute to Tina Turner on Thursday night, following the music icon’s death at age 83. Pictured: Tina and Jimmy in 1992
Appearing on The Project, the Aussie rocker was happy to share his memories recording her iconic hit (Simply) The Best – and the eerie way he found out about her passing in Switzerland
‘[Doing the song] was one of the highlights of my career,” he said.
“The moment she opened her mouth, she was warm, she was graceful, nurturing,” he added. “I was like terrified.”
Barnes further revealed that Turner helped him when they shot the movie clip.
“Anyone who has seen me dance knows I dance like an elephant tied to a tree,” Barnes continued.
And Tina must have seen the panicked look on my face because she leaned over and whispered, “Stand still honey and I’ll make you look good.”
“And she almost did,” he laughed.
Barnes further revealed that he was paid a fortune to sing on the duet, but would have done it for nothing to sing with Tina Turner.
“It was just amazing and it was literally a career highlight to sing with her.
“It’s very sad news, but she left a mark on this world – there’s no singer like her.”
‘[Doing the song] was one of the highlights of my career,” he said. “The moment she opened her mouth, she was warm, she was graceful, nurturing,” he added. ‘I was like terrified’
Turner is survived by two of her four sons – two predeceased her – and her 67-year-old husband, Erwin Bach.
The couple got married in 2013 after nearly 30 years of dating.
Throughout her career, Turner won eight Grammys from 25 nominations and three lifetime Grammy Awards.
Her last stadium concert was in Sheffield, England, in 2009.
Her hits include Nutbush City Limits, Proud Mary and River Deep – Mountain High, but it was Simply The Best that fans of the League Down Under will remember most fondly.
The legendary singer died at her home in Küsnach near Zurich, Switzerland