Well, it was a church person in the early days, Mahalia Jackson. And Rosetta Tharpe. These spiritual, very strong voices. I only knew that they were figures in the black race, recognizable and respected. But I must admit, I've always covered the songs of males. I haven't followed up on women or listened to that much women's music.

Her answer on the question who her first musical influences were. Mark Bego: Tina Turner: Break Every Rule, 2005, page 18.