Tina Turner died yesterday at her home in Switzerland, after what her reps called a “long illness”. She was 83 years old. (Just a few months before her death, Tina had said that she was in “great danger” due to kidney disease.)
Tina rose to fame in the 1960s as part of the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, with her husband Ike Turner.
After escaping Ike’s abuse in 1976, she did what she had to do to survive, before her solo career took off with her 1984 album “Private Dancer”, featuring the hits “What’s Love Got to Do with It”, “Better Be Good to Me”, and the title track.
The following year, she played Aunty Entity in “Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome”, featuring her hit song “We Don’t Need Another Hero”.
Tina sold 200 million albums and won eight Grammys. At 56, she was hired as the face of a $20 million campaign for Hanes pantyhose.
Tina’s 1986 memoir “I, Tina” detailed Ike’s abuse and her journey back to the top. It inspired the 1993 movie “What’s Love Got to Do with It”, starring Angela Bassett.
Tina credited her legendary stamina to exercise, eating well, and never smoking, drinking, or doing drugs.
Bassett issued a statement saying, quote, “Tina Turner showed others who lived in fear what a beautiful future filled with love, compassion and freedom should look like.”
Tina Turner gave up performing live in 2009 when she was about 68. She was on “Oprah’s Next Chapter” in 2013 and said the decision to stop was easy and with good reason. (She worked her tail off on stage and fans would always expect that.)
What famous rock ballad was meant to be a Tina Turner song but was foiled by a record company, who demanded that the rock band who wrote it keep it for themselves? Here’s the answer. (Play the clip.)
Of Note: Whitesnake singer David Coverdale says that he originally wrote the song “Is This Love” for Tina Turner, but when the band’s label heard it, they refused to let it go. It became one of their biggest hits. It was released in May of 1987.
Pictures went viral yesterday of Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson on the Cannes red carpet . . . appearing to be angrily scolding some poor guy. Of course, that could seriously tarnish Tom’s image as the nicest guy in the universe.
So Rita took to social media to preserve that image. She says she and Tom weren’t freaking out on the guy . . . they were just trying to figure out what he was saying.
Quote, “This is called ‘I can’t hear you. People are screaming. What did you say? Where are we supposed to go?’
“But that doesn’t sell stories! Nice try.”
(Page Six)
“Sopranos” star Michael Imperioli is cool about posing for pictures with fans. But there’s one thing he WON’T do . . . even if you ask nicely.
He says, quote, “Some people want to take a picture with me pretending I have a gun to their head, and I never will do that . . . I’ll strangle them, but not put a gun to their head .
“That’s horrible. That’s bad vibes.”
(Here’s video.)
The DC Universe has been treading water for years, but all the buzz seems to indicate that “The Flash” is gonna turn things around.
And yesterday, director Andy Muschietti spoiled a major cameo that’s guaranteed to put butts in seats: Superman . . . played by NICOLAS CAGE. (!!!)
Muschietti says, quote, “Nic was absolutely wonderful. Although the role was a cameo, he dove into it. I dreamt all my life to work with him. I hope I can work with him again soon.”
This comes 25 years after Cage ALMOST played Superman. He was set to star in “Superman Lives”, with Tim Burton directing . . . but the movie was scrapped in 1998.
(Here’s video of Cage trying on Superman outfits, with Burton supervising. This really DID almost happen.)
The “Brady Bunch” house is on the market again.
The last time it was for sale, back in 2018, HGTV outbid Lance Bass for it . . . then produced a series called “A Very Brady Renovation”, where they made the inside look just like it did on the original show.
HGTV paid $3.5 million for the house, which is in North Hollywood, and spent about $2 million renovating it. Now they’re selling it for $5.5 million.
Some of the money is going to the Turn Up! Fight Hunger initiative.
(TMZ)
AVClub.com put together a list of popular songs that you might be surprised to find out are actually COVERS.
Here are 13:
1. “China Girl”, David Bowie (1983). Originally recorded by Iggy Pop in 1977
2. “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”, Cyndi Lauper (1983). Originally recorded by Robert Hazard in 1979.
3. “Dead Souls”, Nine Inch Nails (1994). Originally recorded by Joy Division in 1979.
4. “Don’t Cha”, The Pussycat Dolls (2005). Originally recorded by Tori Alamaze in 2004.
5. “If I Were a Boy”, Beyoncé (2009). Originally recorded by BC Jean in 2008.
6. “Always on My Mind”, Pet Shop Boys (1987). Originally recorded by Brenda Lee in 1972.
7. “Tainted Love”, Soft Cell (1981). Originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964.
8. “Respect”, Aretha Franklin (1967). Originally recorded by Otis Redding in 1965.
9. “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll”, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (1981). Originally recorded by The Arrows in 1975.
10. “Love Song”, 311 (2004). Originally recorded by The Cure in 1989.
11. “Land of Confusion”, Disturbed (2005). Originally recorded by Genesis in 1986.
12. “Waiting for Tonight”, Jennifer Lopez (1999). Originally recorded by 3rd Party in 1997.
13. “Torn”, Natalie Imbruglia (1997). Originally recorded by Danish singer Lis Sorensen in 1993.
Aly Raisman is 29. Two-time Olympic gymnast. She took 3 Gold medals, 2 Silvers, and a Bronze from the London and Rio de Janeiro games.
Cillian Murphy is 47. The Scarecrow in “Batman Begins”, the guy whose dream gets invaded in “Inception”, the bad guy in “Red Eye”, and a reluctant zombie fighter in “28 Days Later” . . . even though they technically weren’t zombies.
Demetri Martin is 50. Funny dude from “Important Things with Demetri Martin” on Comedy Central. He graduated from Yale, got in to New York University’s law school . . . then made his parents proud by dropping out to be a comedian.
Jamie Kennedy is 53. Randy Meeks in “Scream”, and Brad ‘B-Rad’ Gluckman is “Malibu’s Most Wanted“ . . . co-starring, Taye Diggs, Blair Underwood, Bo Derek, Jeffrey Tambor, and Anthony Anderson.
Kevin Heffernan is 55. Farva in the “Super Troopers” movies.
Mike Myers is 60. “Shrek” and “Austin Powers” superstar.
Paul Weller is 65. British genius behind The Jam and The Style Council. The Mod Father! “Town Called Malice“! “My Ever Changing Moods“!
Klaus Meine is 75. Scorpions lead singer. Biggest hits: “Rock You Like a Hurricane“ and “Winds of Change“.
Frank Oz is 79. Multi-talented genius. He’s the voice and original puppeteer of Fozzy Bear, Cookie Monster, Bert, Grover, Animal, Miss Piggy and YODA. He also directed “The Dark Crystal”, “Little Shop of Horrors”, “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” and “What About Bob?”
Sir Ian McKellen is 84. Gandalf in the “Hobbit” and “Lord of the Rings” movies, and the older Magneto in the “X-Men” movies.
Jets host former Bills punter Matt Araiza for workout
The New York Jets hosted Matt Araiza for a workout Wednesday, – Araiza has been out of the NFL since
being released by the Buffalo Bills last August, two days after a lawsuit was filed accusing him and two
former San Diego State teammates of being involved in an alleged gang rape of a 17-year-old girl.
The San Diego district attorney decided late last year to not press criminal charges against Araiza, and
San Diego State announced last week that an internal investigation found no wrongdoing by Araiza. The
school also said none of the former students named in the lawsuit is the subject of a current investigation,
although it reserved the right to “reinstate” an investigation if there are new developments.
Araiza, who was 21 at the time of the alleged incident, has maintained his innocence. The civil case
remains ongoing in the matter.
Mahomes – Priority Winning rings not money
Ever since signing what at the time was the richest contract in NFL history, Patrick Mahomes has watched
as his annual pay has slipped to seventh among the league’s quarterbacks.
Mahomes indicated Wednesday after the Chiefs concluded their first week of offseason practice that he
has no problem with that.
“I’ve always said I worry about legacy and winning rings more than making money at this moment,” he
said. “We see what’s going on around the league, but at the same time, I’ll never do anything that’s going
to hurt us from keeping the great players around me. So it’s kind of teetering around that line.”
“You just want to do whatever to not hurt other quarterbacks [financially],” Mahomes said. “Whenever
their contracts come up, you want to keep the bar pushing [higher].
“It’s not about being the highest-paid guy; it’s not about making a ton of money. I’ve made enough money
where I’ll be set for the rest of my life. But at the same time, you got to find that line where you’re making
a good amount of money but you’re still keeping a lot of great players around you so you can win these
Super Bowls and you’re able to compete in these games.”
Mahomes became the NFL’s highest-paid player in summer 2020 when he signed a 10-year extension
worth $450 million. No player has since topped that contract in terms of total value, but six other
quarterbacks — including Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson and, this offseason, Jalen Hurts and Lamar
Jackson — have passed Mahomes in average pay.
Mahomes could fall further down the salary list this summer if lucrative extensions are signed by Joe
Burrow and Justin Herbert, who are both eligible for long-term deals for the first time.
“You just want to do whatever to not hurt other quarterbacks [financially],” Mahomes said. “Whenever
their contracts come up, you want to keep the bar pushing [higher].
“It’s not about being the highest-paid guy; it’s not about making a ton of money. I’ve made enough money
where I’ll be set for the rest of my life. But at the same time, you got to find that line where you’re making
a good amount of money but you’re still keeping a lot of great players around you so you can win these
Super Bowls and you’re able to compete in these games.”
MLB – CARDS
Ben Lively earned his first victory as a starter since 2017, Kevin Newman drove in three runs and
Cincinnati had its highest hit total in almost a year in a 10-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on
Wednesday night.
Rookie shortstop Matt McClain hit the second homer of his big league career and Spencer Steer had a
career-best four hits with two RBI for Cincinnati, which pounded out 18 hits, the team’s highest total since
posting 20 against the Chicago Cubs last May 26.
St. Louis left-hander Steven Matz remained winless after giving up up four runs in the first inning. Matz
(0-6) allowed a season-high 11 hits and matched a season high by allowing six earned runs.
TOUGH STRETCH
The Cardinals are in the midst of a stretch in which they play 19 games in 19 days. With six games still
remaining before an off day, the schedule is beginning to take its toll.
“Guys are worn down,” Marmol said. “We have to dig deep and find a way to give guys some days off.
From a starting rotation standpoint, we wanted more innings today.”
TRAINERS ROOM
Cardinals: OF Dylan Carlson (left ankle sprain) took some swings Wednesday from the right side. He will
swing from the left side in a few days. …. OF Tyler O’Neill (lower back strain) hit off a tee Wednesday. He
has had two setbacks in his recovery.
MIKE TROUT
is going to tie and pass many greats on his climb up the home run list. Yet, there is something special
when for a couple days you can say you are tied with the Yankee Clipper.
Trout’s two-run shot in the eighth inning of Tuesday night’s 4-0 win over the Boston Red Sox is the 361st
home run of his career, which ties him with Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio for 85th.
NHL
Matthew Tkachuk’s third game-winning goal of this postseason came with just 4.9 seconds left and
delivered the eighth-seeded Florida Panthers to their first Stanley Cup Final in 27 years.
With their 4-3 victory Wednesday night, the Panthers completed a four-game sweep of the Carolina
Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference finals — Florida’s first playoff series sweep in franchise history. The
Panthers, who scraped into the postseason as a wild card, will now make their second Cup Final
appearance, and first since 1996. They await the winner of the Vegas Golden Knights-Dallas Stars series.
Wayne Gretzky’s Record-Setting Jersey From Final NHL Game Hits Auction
Brace yourself, hockey fans … the last jersey NHL legend Wayne Gretzky wore during the final game of
his historic career is being offered publicly for the first time, and the threads could be yours — if you’ve got
deep pockets!
TMZ Sports is told Gretzky’s jersey — which he had on in 1999 when he racked up his 2,857th point with
an assist — is now up for grabs at Grey Flannel Auctions.
Gretzky wore the jersey, which features his handwritten signature on the tag and the game date,
“4-18-99”, against the Penguins at Madison Square Garden, and although Wayne’s Rangers team came
up short, losing 2-1 in overtime, it was the “Great One’s” emotional farewell that stole the night.
Bids already reaching 200K and continues through June 11th.
Just last year, a game-worn jersey from his final contest with the Edmonton Oilers sold for $1.45 million,
also through Grey Flannel Auctions.
GFA says the iconic blue #99 jersey — complete with the word “Rangers” on the front and “Gretzky” on
the back — shows signs of game use. John Rosasco, the Rangers’ long-time Senior Vice President of
Public Relations, authenticated the jersey with a letter to GFA.
Of course, Gretzky, who made 18 All-Star games, is widely considered the greatest hockey player of all
time … and one of the best athletes to ever play a sport.
Just how amazing was he?
Wayne, the only player to score over 2,000 points, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame just
months after retiring … after officials waved the usual 3-year waiting period. The NHL also retired number
99 leaguewide … making WG the only player in the NHL to have achieved that honor.
Bidding has already started. Good luck!!
NBA
Police conduct welfare check on Grizzlies’ Ja Morant after posts
Police in Tennessee conducted a welfare check on Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant following cryptic
messages on his Instagram account Wednesday, with officials telling ESPN that he’s just “taking a break
from social media.”
Earlier Wednesday, Morant posted — and then deleted — messages and pictures to social media saying
“Love ya ma [blue heart emoji],” “Love ya pops [blue heart emoji]” and “You da greatest baby girl [blue
heart emoji] love ya.” He then followed those with a post that simply said, “Bye.”
The Public Information Officer for the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office confirmed to ESPN that officers went
to Morant’s home on Wednesday morning to check on him and “he is fine