Tina Turner: Simply The Best

Tina’s back – and she’s still simply the best.

Monday night, I had the great pleasure of seeing Tina Turner at Madison Square Garden. Eight years have passed since I last saw Tina perform, but the legendary singer –who just turned 69 a few days ago – proved once again that she still knows how to bring the house down.

Still Rockin' At 69: Tina Turner kicks up her heels at MSG

In an energetic two-hour show packed with dazzling choreography and special effects that included pyrotechnics, risers and ninja characters, Tina took all of us in the audience on a nostalgic journey spanning her five decades in show business.

After opening with vintage hits like “Steamy Windows” and “River Deep, Mountain High,” Tina delighted with a string of more recent classics, including "Better Be Good To Me," “Private Dancer” and one of my all time favorites, “What’s Love Got To Do With It.” Tina called on everyone to sing along, playfully pitting the women in the audience against the men. When the guys failed to deliver, she said playfully--

“We’ll give you another chance -- like we always do.”

For her movie power ballads “Goldeneye” and “We Don’t Need Another Hero,“ Tina pulled out all the stops, with film clips and theatrical staging.

Aunty Entity Returns: Tina revisits her role from 1985's "Mad Mad Beyond Thunderdome"

A montage of photos and videos of Tina through the years, the perfect segue way to a heartfelt, bluesy rendition of The Beatles’ “Help!” and then two of her most exhilarating signature hits -- “The Best” and “Proud Mary.”

She's Got Legs: Tina struts her stuff as she sings "Proud Mary"

During her encore, just as she did during her 2000 tour, Tina soared over the first 20 rows on a cherry picker while she sang “Nutbush City Limits.”

What A View: Tina soars over the crowd during her encore

She drew thunderous applause when she urged two special audience members -- Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes -- to sing along.

As Tina took her final bow, the large screen behind her rolled a list of producing credits for her fiftieth anniversary tour. I marveled once again at the fact that this dynamic diva is approaching 70. If a fountain of youth exists, there’s no question – the ageless Miss Turner has most definitely found it.