Tina Turner’s hope to became a pop sensation in her own right came true during the mid 1980s. The album Private Dancer, released in 1984, sold 8 million copies during its first year. She won a Grammy for Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Female Pop Vocalist for her number one hit What’s Love Got To Do With It,
a song Turner initially disliked when it was brought to her by her manager Roger Davies, but she kept an open mind, worked with the tune’s songwriter Terry Britten, and made it her own. The song You Better Be Good to Me,
another big hit from the album, won a Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance. Mark Knupfler, the lead singer of Dire Straits wrote the song Private Dancer,
a song he deemed better suited for a woman to sing. Turner crafted the tune and made it the third hit of the album. With cable television rapidly expanding in America, MTV (Music Television) provided artists with a visual medium to showcase their latest creations. Tina Turner’s videos showcased a vibrant, sexy woman, which added Generation X to her fan base. Tina Turner’s dream of having her own hit album became reality.
Tina Turner’s dream of returning to the big screen also became a reality. Hollywood began offering her non-prostitute roles. She had the chance to play Shug Avery in the movie The Color Purple, but declined that role for the character reminded her of her time with Ike Turner. She instead decided to play Aunty Entity in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. Tina Turner liked the character who is a strong woman who fought her way to respect. Turner also sang the movie’s theme song We Don’t Need Another Hero,
which became another hit single.
©2023 Tim Sheehan