Singer and actress Beyoncé certainly isn’t a woman who does things by halves – something she proved beyond all doubt when she took to the stage to pay tribute to Tina Turner at the Kennedy Center in 2005. The performance that followed left even Tina herself – who, of course, was in the audience that night – open-mouthed in awe, and has since racked up nearly 50 million views on YouTube alone.
The Tina Turner song that Beyoncé chose to cover for the tribute was ‘Proud Mary,’ and she owned the stage from the second she stepped onto it. The rendition starts off slow, all the focus on Beyoncé’s incredible voice, but soon things pick up the pace and she throws some incredible dance moves and more vocal acrobatics into the mix.
Unsurprisingly, particularly given Tina’s own overwhelmed reaction to the performance, hardcore fans of both singers have since taken to the YouTube comment section to show their praise for Beyoncé. “Love how much this amazing artist pays respect to those who came before her and inspired her,” said one fan, whilst another simply said, “this is so iconic.”
Another performer who paid a notable tribute to Ms. Turner that night was legendary soul singer Al Green, who sang ‘Let’s Stay Together,’ a song that both he and Tina recorded over the course of their illustrious careers. As Green’s soulful voice rings out across the audience, and Tina smiles in approval, you can really tell this is a special moment for both artists.
By far the most lauded tribute to Tina Turner that night, however, came courtesy of Beyoncé—and rightly so. The younger singer didn’t just pay tribute to Tina, she owned the stage in the process, showing exactly what it means to be an accomplished artist in her own right who is also unafraid to celebrate those who influenced and inspired her.
Beyoncé’s Kennedy Center tribute to Tina Turner — which left Tina herself speechless — remains an unforgettable, viral moment that proved her reverence and star power. Want to explore the performance, reactions and more? Useful links to videos, interviews and background are listed just below this paragraph.