SOCIAL media was ablaze with reaction to the death of Tina Turner last night, including contributions from many familiar names here in the north, who were moved to pay tribute to one of the biggest names in music.

Niall Carson, a former Irish News photographer who now works for the Press Association, recalled capturing Tina at her Dublin concert in 2009:

RIP #TinaTurner I was so lucky to be able to photograph one of the worlds most gifted singers in 2009. That way she danced in high heels at 74 years of age would make Prince Jealous pic.twitter.com/e6FPJbQ4mZ

— Niall Carson (@niallcarsonpa) May 24, 2023

BBC Radio Ulster DJ and Irish News Cult Movies columnist Ralph McLean also paid tribute...

“Oh and do I love you, my oh my. River deep, Lord, mountain high”
Skill, soul and passion in every note. Rest in power Tina. #tinaturner pic.twitter.com/UiGPrMi1Ly

— Ralph McLean (@RalphMcLeanShow) May 24, 2023

... as did his Radio Ulster colleague and fellow Irish News columnist Lynette Fay, who described what an inspirational figure Tina Turner had been.

Survivor. Powerhouse. Icon. Defied the odds and made one of the best comebacks in history. Immortalised every time her Proud Mary moves are poorly copied on a dance floor. RIP #TinaTurner pic.twitter.com/kOCa3oUGqg

— Lynette Fay (@LynetteFay) May 24, 2023

Belfast-based music publicist James Rollins shared his memories of meeting Tina during his years working for her record company EMI.

Jimmy Fay, executive director of Belfast's Lyric theatre, shared his favorite collaboration between Tina Turner and fellow late music legend Frank Zappa:

One of my favourite Frank Zappa @zappa songs of all time, Montana, is actually an uncredited collaboration with Tina Turner and the Ikettes (Ike had nothing to do with it). It shows how extraordinary & adventurous she really was - https://t.co/G90hhFslHT

— Jimmy Fay (@Jimifay) May 24, 2023