‘Special moment’: NRL reveals details of grand final tribute to Tina Turner, 30 years after her ‘The Best’ performance at SFS
A special tribute to Tina Turner will take place at next month’s NRL grand final, honouring the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s contribution to rugby league.
The NRL announced on Wednesday the pre-game entertainment on October 1 will be headlined by a performance from the cast of Tina – the Tina Turner Musical.
Turner, who passed away in May at her home in Switzerland following a long illness, was instrumental to the success of the then Winfield Cup in the late 1980s and early 90s.
She appeared in advertisements with rugby league players during that time, firstly with her hit ‘What You Get Is What You See’ and then in the ‘Simply The Best’ promotion.
The commercials, regarded as highly successful, came as the sport attempted to attract a wider, more family orientated audience than the traditionally blue-collar fanbase.
Turner also delivered a powerhouse performance of ‘The Best’ at the 1993 Winfield Cup grand final, where the Brisbane Broncos defeated the St George Dragons.
The special tribute will also commemorate the 30th anniversary of that performance which took place at the Sydney Football Stadium.
“Thirty years on, Tina Turner’s 1993 performance remains one of the great grand final moments,” NRL CEO Andrew Abdo said.
“This collaboration is a perfect way for rugby league to pay tribute to Tina and everything she did for our game.
“And it will be a special moment for fans amongst the outstanding entertainment on offer on grand final day.”
Tina Turner appeared alongside rugby league players in advertisements in the late 1980s and early 90s. Picture: Peter Muhlbock
The musical was launched in 2018 and charts Turner’s rise from Nutbush, Tennessee to global stardom, featuring her hits including ‘Nutbush’ and ‘Proud Mary’.
The Sydney leg of the musical had its opening night in May just days before Turner’s death aged 83.
“To have our production as the centrepiece of the NRL grand final entertainment is testament to the enduring power of Tina’s music and her indomitable spirit,” Paul Dainty, AO/TEG Dainty and Stage Entertainment, said.
“Our cast and crew have worked tirelessly to deliver a performance that will be remembered for years to come.”
Australian rock band King Stingray, who performs in both English and Yolŋu Matha languages, will also take the stage at the grand final, as well as the NRLW grand final pre-game show.
SOURCE: SKYNEWS
