By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
For the first time in its nine years of summer concerts, the Decatur Chamber is bringing the music of Tina Turner to the Madison St. Plaza.
“Simply the Best,” a tribute to the Queen of Rock & Roll, will perform from 7 to 9:30 Thursday night.
The tribute band’s name derives from “Simply the Best,” the first greatest hits compilation by Tina Turner which was released on Oct. 22, 1991.
Handling the Tina role will be Jenn Cristy, a Bloomington-based Hoosier who has seven solo albums.
No admission is charged for the Chamber concerts.
Food and drink will be available, along with adult beverages from The Oasis Pub.
MET MELLENCAMP: Cristy began her career with John Mellencamp, meeting him in Bloomington, where she was in the midst of an all-American swimming career at Indiana University.
Information provided by Cristy says that during her stint with Mellencamp’s band she proved her versatility, playing flute, piano, percussion, organ, and violin in addition to singing.
She embarked on her solo career in 2003.
Cristy has played around the country, sharing the stage with artists like Kelly Clarkson, Bob Seger, Pentatonix, Paramore, Shawn Mullins, John Eddie, Bree Sharp, Jeffery Gaines, and Michael Gabliki (Rusted Root).
THE QUEEN: Known as the “Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Tina Turner rose to fame in the 1960s with Ike Turner before launching a massive solo career in the 1980s.
She won 12 Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame both as part of Ike & Tina Turner and as a solo artist.
Tina died on May 24, 2023, at the age of 83 at her home in Küsnacht, near Zurich, Switzerland, following a long illness.
RESCHEDLED: Last Thursday’s concert, featuring Derek Jones & The 50 South, was postponed by pending rain.
It has been rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10, 7-9:30 p.m., on the plaza stage.
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