TINA: Live (Tour)

Lionel Richie (1984)

After Tina finished her UK-Tour, she recorded her new album Private Dancer from March to April. To promote the upcoming album, she did rehearsals in Los Angeles until May for a new show with her new song material as an opening act for Lionel Richie’s „Can't Slow Down Tour.“ After her own set of approximately forty minutes, she returned on stage during Richie’s show for the song Hot Legs and the duet „Three Times A Lady“ together with Lionel. It’s the first tour for Tina without any dancers and background singers.

Opening Night: May 15 / Tulsa, Maybee Center (USA)
Closing Night: July 15 / San Diego, Sports Arena (USA)
Regions: North America

Kenny Moore: Piano, Vocals / James Ralston: Guitar, Vocals / Bob Feit: Bass Guitar / Alan Clark: Keyboards / Hal Lindes: Guitar, Vocals / Henry Spinetti: Drums 

Billboard - April 21, 1984

Tina Turner, who topped Billboard’s Dance/Disco chart last month with the hit „Let’s Stay Together,“ has been set as the opening act on Lionel Richie’s upcoming 50-date tour, which opens May 15 in Tulsa and ends Aug. 17 in Las Vegas. The tour was booked by the Howard Rose Agency and focuses on major arenas across the U.S. and Canada. Richie’s show was produced and directed by Tony-winning Broadway veteran Joe Layton. Turner’s selection as opening act follows memorable support roles in shows starring the Rolling Stones and Rod Stewart.

Ebony - May, 1985

… Before she could catch her breath, Lionel Richie asked her to open his 1984 tour, and Tina was off and running - all by herself. Not only was she no longer with Ike, but the Lionel Richie tour was the first time she did major performances without the support of backup singers and dancers. „It was real hard being on stage by myself at first,“ Tina recalls of the first few shows of the tour: Because Lionel's crowd is not my crowd. Plus, it was brand new material, and the only thing they wanted to hear was „Nutbush City Limits,“ „Let’s Stay Together“ and „Proud Mary.” However, by the middle of the tour, the album began to get widespread radio play and rapidly moved up the charts. It wasn’t long before Lionel Richie’s crowd was, indeed, Tina Turner’s crowd. 

JoAnn Sardo, 1985

…  Prior to Richie’s tour, rumors were flying that he would be joined on stage by his opening act Tina Turner. That tale died a not-so-quiet death during the opening notes of „Hot Legs,“ a song tailor-made for Tina. With a pair of legs that just don’t quit, Ms. Tina slithered out on stage and proceeded to heat up both the audience and Richie. After singing „Three Times A Lady“ together, Tina left Richie to finish his show.