Beyoncé stunned the audience at her ‘Renaissance‘ London tour stop with a beautiful and powerful tribute to the late Tina Turner. During her set, Beyoncé covered the classic 1966 hit, “River Deep – Mountain High,” giving it her own unique spin by delivering a stripped-back ballad, instead of an energetic version like Ike & Tina Turner’s original.
The Grammy winner’s cover was a moving gesture, honoring the iconic “What’s Love Got To Do With It” hitmaker, who passed away on May 24, 2023. It was a touching (and now viral) moment during the ongoing, highly anticipated tour in support of Beyoncé’s seventh studio album, Renaissance.
At Beyoncé in London… and she’s doing “River Deep – Mountain High” in tribute to Tina Turner pic.twitter.com/WRrQqsKRHp
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) May 29, 2023
Beyoncé’s tribute to the lovely Tina Turner pic.twitter.com/M4Y8gEeg7a
— A (@beyyyy4) May 30, 2023
Beyoncé Salutes Tina Turner with Stunning, Stripped-Back Cover
While performing during the UK leg of her tour, the “Cuff It” singer treated her Tottenham Hotspur Stadium audience to the cover, which can be seen and heard via fan-shot footage shared on Twitter.
At her Paris show one week before, the mom of three also paid homage to Turner by asking her audience to cheer for the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll.” Beyoncé sweetly said to concertgoers about her idol, “I just want to take a second and honor Tina Turner.”
“If you’re a fan of mine, you’re a fan of Tina Turner. I wouldn’t be on this stage without Tina Turner. I want you guys to scream so she can feel your love. I feel so blessed that I was alive to witness her brilliance.”
Beyoncé on Tina Turner in Paris. #RENAISSANCEWorldTour pic.twitter.com/7mhikREwxC
— RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR (@RenaissanceWT) May 27, 2023
The “Break My Soul” crooner added, “If you’re a fan of mine, you’re a fan of Tina Turner. I wouldn’t be on this stage without Tina Turner, so I want you guys to just scream, so she can feel your love. I feel so blessed that I was allowed to witness her brilliance.”
Soon after Turner’s passing, Beyoncé wrote on her website, “My beloved queen. I love you endlessly.” The “Love on Top” singer continued, “I’m so grateful for your inspiration, and all the ways you have paved the way.”
She went on, “You are strength and resilience. You are the epitome of power and passion. We are all so fortunate to have witnessed your kindness and beautiful spirit that will forever remain. Thank you for all you have done.” (We couldn’t have said it better ourselves!)
Back in 2008, Beyoncé took to the 50th annual Grammy Awards stage with her inspiration, Turner. The dynamic duo memorably performed a duet of “Proud Mary,” like Ike & Tina Turner’s 1971 cover of the Creedence Clearwater Revival song.
