"Someone like her should live forever," says a Tina Turner fan as she lays flowers in front of the residence of the "Queen of Rock" in this very opulent market town not far from Zurich. "Your voice has died out but it's still in my heart," says Barbara Burkhalter.
She is part of the constant stream of admirers who came to pay their respects in front of the gates of the Algonquin castle, the sumptuous home of Küsnacht where the artist, who lived there for nearly three decades, died Wednesday at 83 years old.
Turner's death sparked tributes from presidents and other rock icons around the world, as well as from her neighbours in this suburb of Switzerland's financial capital, set on the shores of Lake Zurich, known as the evocative "Gold Coast".
Many bouquets were placed in front of Tina Turner's home. REUTERS/Denis Balibouse
"I brought flowers and a small card. I really had to come," says the 69-year-old. "On Tuesday, I saw that the garden was not lit, which is very unusual. It was completely dark," she says. "She was my favorite of all the ladies. I live just four minutes from here. I saw her several times when she was shopping. We loved that she was there but we would never have bothered her. »
Large bouquets and candles
A discretion and respect for privacy that has attracted more than one star to Switzerland, as well as attractive taxation. Large bouquets or a simple rose were placed at the gates of the castle, as well as dozens of card candles and handwritten messages. All in tribute to the US-born superstar.
A woman wearing a baseball cap lights a candle and leaves a message: "Thank you Tina for your music, your voice, your smile, your inspiration, your dance moves, your enthusiasm. Your neighborhood. Rest in power".
The admirer takes up the "Rest in power", the expression of mourning for those whose lives have been marked by injustice or discrimination. In addition to her music and showmanship, Turner's struggle to overcome domestic violence has touched many women around the world.
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"I really admire what she symbolized in the face of domestic violence: how she flourished without hatred," says Guia Greaves, another admirer, who recalls a kind, good neighbor, discreet and unpretentious person. "We now have the treasure of his music and we must continue to listen to him," she insists.
"A beautiful soul"
Tina Turner moved to Switzerland in 1995 with her longtime German partner, producer and actor, Erwin Bach, 67. Some left flowers in his name.
The gardens surrounding the magnificent mansion are surrounded by immaculately manicured hedges and huge colourful bushes in pink and blue tones. The three-storey white house is protected from the eyes of strangers by imposing trees.
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"His music became a part of my teenage life and made me think about what we do with this life," said Bryan Mackie, 29. "My girlfriend is even bigger fan than me. She is so sad, I brought these flowers for her. »
One man knelt down and threw three kisses towards the castle, one woman said prayers in Italian and another, who had already come last night, was in tears outside the entrance. Andrea Brunetti, 47, an Italian computer scientist who lives in Lucerne about sixty kilometers away, left a rose with a heart.
"She is the most beautiful woman of the last 200 years. It really is a treasure. She's more than an artist: she's a beautiful soul," he says. "She always gave 110% until the end. Some people will never die. Thank you Tina, for everything you have given people. »