Only in Hollywood
How my classmate became Tina Turner
By Ruben V. Nepales
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:14:00 03/30/2008
Filed Under: Entertainment (general), Music
LOS ANGELES—Among the girls in my University of Sto. Tomas AB Communication Arts class in the mid-1970s, Luisa Mendez stood out because she always wore the reddest lipstick and full makeup.
Students of communication arts (termed mass communication in other colleges) are always looked up to or looked down on as “show biz na show biz.” No one was more show biz-y even back then than Luisa. She had already appeared in a Repertory Philippines production of “Stop the World, I Want to Get Off.” She went to auditions to join show bands (eventually landing a spot on the last generation of The Ambivalent Crowd). In class, and this will probably be the first time that she’ll hear this, we called Luisa the “Wella Girl” because, well, when she was called on to recite, she always began with “Well, ah … ”
When Luisa joined the Hall of Fame show band, I occasionally saw her at Manila’s watering holes. Cut to many years later—a classmate, Babsie Amurao, who is based in Manhattan, told me that another classmate who lives in Vancouver thinks that a Tina Turner tribute performer named Tiny Tina could be none other than Luisa. This classmate, who saw Tiny Tina in a Vancouver TV show and read about her in a local newspaper, decided to watch her show. Later, she found that it was indeed our Luisa, who won the title, “World Rock and Roll Tribute Artist Champion,” in the first World Tribute Artist Championship held in 2003.
Last January, I formed a Yahoo e-mail group to reconnect with the UST Com Arts Class of 1977. I convinced Luisa to join.
Meeting the star
Late last month, when I visited and interviewed on the set of “The X Files 2” in Vancouver, I grabbed the chance to meet Luisa. My wife Janet and I had a blast seeing Luisa and her Canadian husband, Steve Marshall, who is also her manager and drummer. The couple has two daughters, Kim and Zenia. Over wine and dinner, we reminisced about those giddy days in the late ’70s and early ’80s.
Luisa wasn’t born to hold a 9-to-5 job. After gigs at Manila’s five-star hotels, Luisa and the Hall of Fame band performed in Japan, Malaysia, US, Canada and Dubai, where she began her Tina Turner tribute act one fateful night in 1995. She has entertained audiences in Canada and the US and peacekeeping forces in Europe, Egypt and Israel. About five years ago, she dropped the stage name Tiny Tina. Now known as Luisa Marshall, she is taking “Tina, A Rock ‘n’ Roll Journey” on the road, including stops in Europe next year.
This theatrical production, directed by Leandro Mendez, Luisa’s youngest brother, is a multi-media show complete with dancers, live band and costumes.
Check out Luisa’s websites, www.luisamarshall.com and www.tinajourney.com. Below are excerpts of an e-mail interview with Luisa:
You sang in college but you probably did not imagine you’d someday win a World Rock and Roll Tribute Artist Championship as Tina Turner.
In our college days, I wasn’t even aware of Tina Turner. I was a snooty, boring musician whose focus was on Broadway musicals and jazz songs. Living in North America since 1989 changed my view on a lot of things. I have a more fun, open perspective.
How did it all start in, of all places, Dubai?
My band, Hall of Fame, which consisted of three white males and two Filipina singers (that’s me and my sister), did a really cool gig in Dubai in 1995. A British fan suggested I wear a Tina wig when I sing “Proud Mary.” Impersonating somebody wasn’t my thing so I ignored this guy. For several weeks, he kept begging me until finally I considered it. Hesitantly, I marched out to hot downtown Dubai to look for a Tina wig. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was like magic: a Tina wig at a novelty store in a posh, high-end mall. When I decided to wear the wig, to secure it, I cut a hole right in the middle top so my own hair was showing. I didn’t know if I looked like Tina. I felt like the big sister of my neighbor’s poodle.
But my first Tina impersonation went through the roof. People screamed and clapped as though I was the real Tina.
How long did it take for you to finally be satisfied with your Tina impersonation?
I learned the hard way through my shows in front of a big audience. Then I started to really get serious by watching Tina’s live concerts, mimicking closely her big voice and nasal tone, hiring a professional wig maker to weave the perfect Tina hair for me (from a cheesy $10 wig I bought in Dubai to a serious $2,300 pro wig), copying every little detail of her facial contour with the help of a professional makeup artist, and practicing her somewhat awkward mannerisms. But most of all, I had to have Tina’s powerful strength and stamina throughout my show. Aside from the wig, I have to wear the dreadful five- to six-inch spike high-heeled shoes, the very short skirts and mini sequined dresses to convince even myself that I’m actually Tina Turner.
How competitive was the tribute championship that you won?
It was super competitive. I never expected to win. I just performed Tina’s hit songs, “The Best” and “Proud Mary.” There were lots of tribute artists from all over the world who participated. I enjoyed every minute of it. But I wouldn’t do it again. I didn’t think all the Elvis impersonators liked me.
Which aspect of Tina’s life or career do you empathize with the most?
I understood her vulnerability during her younger years. She loved Ike despite his abuse of her ... Why she stayed so long in the relationship with Ike was remarkable. She was hoping for a miracle to happen. Didn’t we all do at one point in our lives?
Which of Tina’s songs still make an impact on you whenever you perform or hear them?
“The Best” and “I Don’t Wanna Fight.” I will never get tired of these songs.
How do you maintain the high energy level since you really sing, not lip-synch, while dancing and acting?
I do a full cardio workout six days a week. This really helps regain my diminishing youthful energy and stamina so I can sing and dance at the same time for two hours.
(To be concluded tomorrow)
E-mail the columnist at rvnepales_5585@yahoo.com and read his blog, “The Nepales Report,” on http://blogs.inquirer.net/nepalesreport.
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