Beyoncé Pays Tribute To Tina Turner By Performing 'River Deep - Mountain High' At Recent Gigs

Beyoncé and Tina Turner are both music icons in their own rights, so it’s only fitting that Beyoncé pays tribute to Turner, who recently passed away, one legend to another.

In 2005, the Crazy In Love singer performed Proud Mary in Turner’s honour at The Kennedy Center Honors. Beyoncé told the audience that when she looks for inspiration, “I think of the two Tinas in my life,” her mother and the iconic Tina Turner.

After Turner’s passing on Wednesday, 24 May, Beyoncé posted the following grief-stricken tribute to social media: “My beloved queen, I love you endlessly. I’m so grateful for your inspiration and all the ways you have paved the way. 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.”

Since then, the music superstar has performed River Deep – Mountain High during her two concerts at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, England on Monday, 29 and Tuesday, 30 May. While River Deep – Mountain High is credited to Ike and Tina Turner, Rolling Stone reports that her abusive ex-husband didn’t strum “a single string on a guitar for it.”

🪩 | Beyoncé covering “RIVER DEEP MOUNTAIN HIGH” by Tina Turner 🤍

pic.twitter.com/Lwc4bMyI06

— Beyoncé Press. 🪩 (@beyoncepress) May 29, 2023

River Deep – Mountain High has made it into this week’s sold-out Renaissance tour (during the first segment of the setlist, alongside Dangerously In Love and 1+1), but upon hearing upon Turner’s passing last week, Beyoncé addressed the audience in Paris like so:

“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.”

In 2008, Queen Bey had her dream come true when she performed Proud Mary with Tina Turner at the 50^th Grammy Awards. Check out the performance below.

Beyoncé’s highly anticipated Renaissance tour began earlier this month. The shows kicked off at Friends Arena in Stockholm, and on the first night, Beyoncé performed all 16 tracks from Renaissance. 

She also threw in some old-school classics, such as Crazy In Love, Naughty Girl, Love On Top, Run The World (Girls), Drunk In Love, Formation and many more, making up a whopping 40-song setlist (including medleys). 

Beyoncé’s Renaissance World Tour remains in Europe until 9 July before heading back to the US, with the first leg of the tour concluding in late September. She hasn’t announced any Australian dates yet, but when the Single Ladies singer returns, it will be her first time down under in over ten years.

Sydney’s Allianz and Accor Stadiums are in the middle of a bidding war for which venue will host Beyoncé upon her Australian return.