How a Melbourne hotel helped relaunch a struggling Tina Turner’s solo career in the early 1980s – before the late star paid them back in the wake of her Private Dancer success
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford has revealed the role the Melbourne Hilton played in helping Tina Turner get back on her feet during a career slump.
Peter recalled how the career of the American megastar came to a complete standstill in the early days of her solo career in the early 1980s.
The star was convinced by Australian music producer Roger Davies to let him act as her manager, whereupon Davies booked her into the Hilton Ballroom.
‘One of the first gigs he got for her was a gig at the Hilton hotel in Melbourne’ Peter remembered 3AW on Thursday.
The Hilton ballroom had floor entertainment in the 1980s.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford revealed during a chat on 3AW on Thursday how a Melbourne hotel revived the solo career of a struggling Tina Turner in the early 1980s
Peter recalled how the hotel booked Tina 12 months in advance before her 1984 album, Private Dancer, came out.
‘She [The Hilton] booked her out for about 12 months and nobody really cared about Tina Turner at that point,” he said.
However, before Tina would hit the ballroom, Private Dancer fell out and became a huge worldwide hit.
In the US, it was certified five times platinum. In the UK, it was certified triple platinum.
The star was convinced by Australian music producer Roger Davies (pictured) to act as her manager, where he booked her into the ballroom of the Hilton Melbourne.
‘She [The Hilton] booked her out for about 12 months and nobody really cared about Tina Turner at that point,” he said. Pictured: The Melbourne Hilton
“She was the hottest music name in the world [once the album dropped],’ Peter recalled from the Private Dancer album. The album is credited with relaunching her career
It spawned some of her most iconic hits, including “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” and ‘Private Dancer’.
Despite her huge success from the album, Tina kept her commitments to the Australian hotel.
“She was the hottest music name in the world [once the album dropped],’ Peter remembered.
“But she still kept that promise, which is why she was performing here in Melbourne at the Hilton for a few hundred dollars a night.”
Peter revealed how she flew back to Europe to play stadium tours.
Peter revealed how she flew back to Europe to play stadium tours. ‘She’s gone from here [Melbourne] and Sydney returned to Europe and started performing in stadiums,” he said
‘She’s gone from here [Melbourne] and Sydney returned to Europe and started performing in stadiums,” he said of the star.
The entertainment reporter then echoed the sentiments of devastated fans around the world after her death was announced on Wednesday.
The star passed away at the age of 83 after several bouts of ill health.
“It’s an extraordinary career that involves so much stamina, apart from sheer talent, just stamina and survival,” he cooed.
“She was in her forties before she became a solo artist.”
“It’s an extraordinary career that involves so much stamina, apart from sheer talent, just stamina and survival,” he cooed. “She was in her forties before she became a solo artist.”