What was the stage name of soul singer born Anna Mae Bullock?

The stage name of soul singer born Anna Mae Bullock was Tina Turner. She adopted the name in 1960 after joining Ike Turner's musical revue and recording “A Fool in Love.” Ike chose “Tina” because it rhymed with Sheena, inspired by jungle-adventure characters, and added “Turner” to create a memorable performing identity.

The name became associated first with the duo Ike & Tina Turner, whose energetic performances blended soul, R&B, rock and funk. “A Fool in Love” introduced Bullock publicly as Tina Turner and became a major R&B hit. Although family and friends continued to call her Ann, the stage name stayed with her throughout her career.

A common mix-up is assuming Tina Turner was her birth name. It was not: she was born Anna Mae Bullock in Brownsville, Tennessee, in 1939. After leaving Ike Turner, she retained the name and built an enormously successful solo career, including the albums Private Dancer and Foreign Affair.