Tina Turner’s Australian Connection - Noise11.com
Tina Turner Private Dancer

Tina Turner’s Australian Connection

by Paul Cashmere on May 25, 2023

in News

Tina Turner had very strong ties with Australia with thanks to the man who became her manager Roger Davies.

Australian Roger Davies was born in Melbourne in 1952. The first act he managed was Sherbet (1970-1979). He then managed Olivia Newton-John (1979-1986) and that’s where the association with Tina Turner began.

In 1980, Tina didn’t have a record label or a manager. She had escaped her cruel marriage to Ike Turner and set about to build a new career. Roger was managing Olivia and in March 1980 met Tina on the set of an Olivia Newton-John special for the ABC. In 1981, he became Tina’s manager.

Roger project managed Tina’s comeback. He contacted another Australian, his friend, songwriter Terry Britten who had written a song for Cliff Richard but Cliff rejected it. The song was ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’.

Roger Davies also managed Australia’s James Reyne. In the Tina Turner biopic movie ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ James played the part of Roger Davies.

Tina rebuilt her live career going back to the clubs and pubs of Australia. Her shows in Australia in 1982 included appearances at:

17-19 June 1982 – St. George Leagues Club, Kogarah – Australia
20 June 1982 – Paramatta Leagues Club, Paramatta – Australia
1-3 July 1982 – St. George Leagues Club, Kogarah – Australia
9-11 July 1982 – Revesby Workers Club, Sydney – Australia
13 July 1982 – Astrodome – Traralgon – Australia
15 July 1982 – Collendina Hotel, Ocean Grove – Australia
16 July 1982 – The Venue, St. Kilda – Australia
17 July 1982 – Waltzing Matilda Hotel, Springvale – Australia
18 July 1982 – Dorset Gardens Hotel, Croydon – Australia

Another Australian connection was her appearance in the George Miller and George Ogilvie film ‘Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome’. Tina played Aunty Entity, the ruthless, determined ruler of Bartertown.

Filmmaker George Miller also made the first two Mad Max Movies, Twilight Zone The Movie, The Witches of Eastwick, Babe and Happy Feet. Tina also contributed the theme song for the movie ‘We Don’t Need Another Hero’ also co-written by Terry Britten.

Tina Turner’s last ever show in Australia was 5 April 1997 in Perth.

Whatever You Want (from Wildest Dreams, 1996)
Do What You Do (from Wildest Dreams, 1996)
River Deep, Mountain High (from Ike & Tina Turner, River Deep Mountain High, 1966)
Missing You (from Wildest Dreams, 1996)
In Your Wildest Dreams (from Wildest Dreams, 1996)
GoldenEye (from Wildest Dreams, 1996)
Private Dancer (from Private Dancer, 1984)
We Don’t Need Another Hero (Thunderdome) (from Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome soundtrack, 1985)
Let’s Stay Together (from Private Dancer, 1984)
Undercover Agent for the Blues (Tony Joe White cover)
I Can’t Stand the Rain (from Private Dancer, 1984)
Steamy Windows (from Foreign Affair, 1989)
Givin’ It Up for Your Love (Delbert McClinton cover)
Better Be Good to Me (from Private Dancer, 1984)
Addicted to Love (Robert Palmer cover)
The Best (from Foreign Affair, 1989)
What’s Love Got to Do With It (from Private Dancer, 1984)
Proud Mary from Ike & Tina Turner, Working Together, 1970)

Encore:
Nutbush City Limits (from Ike & Tina Turner, Nutbush City Limits, 1973)
On Silent Wings (from Wildest Dreams, 1996)
Something Beautiful Remains (from Wildest Dreams, 1996)

Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert. Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here

Be the first to see NOISE.com’s newest interviews and special features on YOUTUBE and updated regularly. See things first SUBSCRIBE here: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11.com

Follow Noise11 on Social Media

Noise11 on Instagram

You’ll discover music news first following Noise11 on Twitter

Comment on the news of the day, join Noise11 on Facebook

Related Posts

The Beatles Australasian Tour 1964
New Beatles Book Marks 60 Years Since The Australian Tour

A new book on The Beatles by Andy Neill and Greg Armstrong is focused on The Beatles one and only ever Australian tour from back in 1964.

1 day ago
The Who Roger Daltrey. Photo by Ros O'Gorman
Roger Daltrey Closes Princes Trust 2024 Event With Plant, Vedder, Weller

Closing a week of incredible shows last night was Ovation - A Celebration of 24 Years of gigs for Teenage Cancer Trust, a show featuring Roger Daltrey’s friends and fans, many of those who helped establish these gigs as a celebrated annual event: Roger himself, alongside Kelly Jones, Robert Plant with Saving Grace, Eddie Vedder and Paul Weller.

4 days ago
Deep Purple: Photo By Ros O'Gorman
Deep Purple Reveal UK Dates For End of 2024

Deep Purple are hitting the road this November.

March 20, 2024
Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend, The Who. photo by Ros O'Gorman
Roger Daltrey To Do Most Acoustic Tour of UK

Roger Daltrey has announced a "mostly acoustic" solo tour this summer.

March 20, 2024
Crosby, Stills & Nash - Photo By Ros O'Gorman
Todd Rundgren, Rickie Lee Jones To Play Crosby, Stills & Nash Tribute Show In New York

A tribute show to Crosby, Stills & Nash is planned for May with Todd Rundgren and Rickie Lee Jones just two of the star lined up to perform.

March 18, 2024
Smokey Robinson, Noise11, Photo
Smokey Robinson Could Be In For Glastonbury

Smokey Robinson is being lined up for his first Glastonbury headline slot.

March 14, 2024
The Doors Alive
The Doors Alive To Return To Australia In October

Since 2008 The Doors Alive have been performing the music of The Doors with around 200 performances in 20 countries over that time.

March 12, 2024