This weekend, Brownsville, Tennessee will honour one of its most legendary daughters with a fitting tribute. A larger-than-life bronze statue of Tina Turner will be unveiled on Saturday, 27th September, during the city’s annual Tina Turner Heritage Days celebrations.
The Ceremony
The unveiling is set to take place at 10:00 a.m. at Heritage Park (709 E. Jefferson St.), directly facing Carver High School, where Tina once studied and showed her first sparks of greatness. Fans, locals, and visitors from around the world are expected to gather to pay tribute to the Queen of Rock ’n’ Roll.
The Statue
Standing at an impressive 7’9” tall, the bronze was sculpted by renowned artist Fred Ajanogha. The statue captures Turner’s trademark power and presence, a reminder of the unstoppable force she was on stage. The project has been supported by Ford Motor Company, making it not just a hometown effort but a collective celebration of Tina’s legacy.
A Fitting Tribute
Tina Turner’s journey began just a few miles down the road in Nutbush, Tennessee—immortalised in her classic hit Nutbush City Limits. From humble beginnings, she rose to global superstardom, selling over 100 million records, redefining rock and soul, and inspiring countless artists who followed.
For Brownsville, the unveiling isn’t just a celebration of her music, but a reminder of the lasting pride she brought to her community.
Tina Turner Heritage Days
The statue unveiling is part of the wider Heritage Days festival, a yearly event that includes live music, local culture, and tours of the Tina Turner Museum at Flagg Grove School, which holds memorabilia from across her incredible career. For fans making the trip, it’s the ultimate pilgrimage to walk through the places that shaped Tina’s story.
Why It Matters
Statues stand the test of time, and this tribute ensures Tina’s story will continue to inspire future generations—both in her hometown and far beyond. From her electrifying stage performances to her resilience and strength off stage, Tina Turner remains one of the most important icons in rock history.
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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