1. The Beatles – I Want To Hold Your Hand – 12-63
2. Dusty Springfield – I Only Want To Be With You – 11-63
3. Kathy Kirby – Secret Love – 11-63
4. Andy Williams – Can’t Get Used To Losing You – 04-63
5. The Dave Clark Five – Glad All Over – 12-63
6. Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas – Do You Want To Know A Secret – 05-63
7. The Crystals – Then He Kissed Me – 09-63
8. The Bachelors – Charmaine – 03-63
9. The Four Seasons – Big Girls Don’t Cry – 02-63
10. Cliff Richard – Summer Holiday – 02-63
11. Rick Nelson – Fools Rush In – 11-63
12. Gene Pitney – Twenty-Four Hours From Tulsa – 12-63
13. The Chiffons – He’s So Fine – 05-63
And the ones that got away: The Ronettes – Be My Baby – 10-63 Peter, Paul & Mary – Blowin’ In The Wind – 11-63 The Singing Nun – Dominique – 12-63 Gerry & The Pacemakers – You’ll Never Walk Alone – 10-63 The Beatles – She Loves You – 08-63 The Crystals – Da Doo Ron Ron – 06-63 The Springfields – Island Of Dreams – 02-63 The Surfaris – Wipe Out – 08-63 Mel Tormé – Coming Home Baby – 01-63 Bobby Vee – The Night Has A Thousand Eyes – 02-63
This was very much the age of the space-race, with huge investment in the technology required to get a man into space, and many advances in miniaturisation thanks to the first silicon chip.
1960 Artificial sun tanning cream is developed. Jan 1: The USS George Washington, a state-of-the-art nuclear-powered submarine, is commissioned. Apr 1: Tiros 1, the first weather satellite, is launched. May 16: Theodore Maiman used a synthetic ruby to produce a laser. Aug 25: A Halogen Lamp which could fit into a standard lightbulb socket was invented by a general electric engineer, Fredrick Moby.
1961 The USS Enterprise aircraft carrier, run by eight nuclear reactors, is commissioned by the US Navy. Jan 31: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launches into space a capsule containing a chimpanzee, and successfully recovers the animal. Feb 6: Texas Instruments files a patent for the first “Solid Circuit” silicon chip used in electronics, invented by Jack Kilby. Apr 1: Cosmonaut Yuri A. Gagarin is the first Russian launched into space. Apr 23: The first industrial robot arm was used in a die-casting factory. Apr 25: The first patent for an integrated circuit awarded to Robert Noyce of Fairchild Semiconductors. May 5: Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. is the first American launched into space
1962 Kelvinator produces a dishwasher that employs high-frequency sound waves, rather than soap and water. Feb 14: Space War Video Game Realeased. This was the first computer game invented by Steve Russell, and the team took 200 hours to write the game. Jun 19: The first compact audio cassette tape released by Philips in the Netherlands. Jun 16: Cosmonaut Valentina V. Tereshkova is the first woman in space. Dec 14: The U.S. scientific space probe Mariner 2 reaches Venus 109 days after its launch.
1963 The USS Atlantis II clearly photographs the ocean floor. Oct 27: Video Disk invented by Dr. David Paul Gregg – a camera which could store several minutes’ worth of images onto an optical video disk.
1964 IBM produces a new product, the word processor, a hybrid of the typewriter and computer. May 1: BASIC (early computer language) invented by John G. Kemeny and Thomas E. Kurtz. Aug 5: Congress establishes the National Commission on Technology, Automation and Economic Progress, to analyze the impact of automation on unemployment.
1965 A computer at the New York Stock Exchange answers questions over the telephone using an artificial voice. Traffic control in Chicago, New York, and Detroit becomes computerized Jan 1: The first soft contact lens (invented by Kevin Tuohy in 1948) available. Feb 17: Ranger 8, a moon probe, blasts off into space and sends back more than seven thousand images of the moon’s surface before crashing into the lunar Sea of Tranquillity. Jul 15: Mariner 4 sends the first close-up photographs of Mars. Aug 5: Kevlar invented by Stephanie Kwolek – five times stronger than the same weight of steel. Aug 17: Compact Disk: the optical digital technology was initially met with scepticism, as people didn’t believe sound could be digitized.
1966 Jun 2: Sorcerer I makes the first soft landing on the moon. July: Fibre Optics proposed in England by Charles Keo and George Hockham. This study first theorized about using glass fibres to implement optical communication, the ideas (especially structural features and materials) described are the basis of today’s optical fibre communications. Sep 1: 1st video game that could be displayed on TV – Television engineer Ralph Baer created “The Brown Box.”
1967 Computer keyboards are developed, allowing immediate access between the operator and the computer. RCA develops a compact television camera weighing just over two pounds. A cordless, battery-powered telephone is developed. A solar-powered house is built. Mar 1: The first overseas direct telephone dialling begins. Aug 25: First Handheld calculator invented by Texas Instruments
1968 Scientists use radar to map the surface of Venus. The picosecond, the smallest period of time detectable, is measured at Bell Laboratories. Jan 1: First RAM chip – random-access memory allowed data to be accessed randomly, not just in the sequence it was recorded. Aug 16: The Poseidon 3, a new missile that can be launched from submarines, is tested. Oct 11: Apollo 7, the first manned Apollo flight, begins a seven-day mission. Dec 9: First computer mouse publicly unveiled in 1968 by the inventor, Douglas C. Engelbart.
1969 William Ducie and Tom Parry Jones developed and marketed the first electronic breathalyser. The Road Safety Act 1967 introduced the first legally enforceable maximum blood alcohol level for drivers in the UK and introduced the roadside breathalyser, made available to police forces across the country. Jan 22: The Atomic Energy Commission announces completion of the world’s largest superconducting magnet. Jul 16: Apollo 11 is launched. This flight culminates in the landing of the first human on the surface of the moon. Sep 2: Fred J. Gentile and Jack Wu Chang invented the ATM network and were recognized by the United States Patent Office. The first ATM in the United States was installed in Rockville Centre, New York. Oct 29: The first documented ARPANET connection was from UCLA to SRI. The ARPANET’s technology and deployment laid the foundation for the development of the Internet. Nov 18: Americans land on the moon for the second time in Apollo 12.
1. Chris Montez – Let’s Dance – 10-62 2. Brian Hyland – Sealed With A Kiss – 08-62 3. Neil Sedaka – Breaking Up Is Hard To Do – 08-62 4. Little Eva – The Loco-Motion – 09-62 5. B. Bumble & The Stingers – Nut Rocker – 04-62 6. Ray Charles – Your Cheatin’ Heart – 12-62 7. Cliff Richard – The Young Ones – 01-62 8. Chubby Checker – Let’s Twist Again – 01-62 9. The Everly Brothers – Cryin’ In The Rain – 01-62 10. The Four Seasons – Sherry – 10-62 11. Dion – The Wanderer – 03-62 12. Elvis Presley – Can’t Help Falling In Love – 02-62 13. Carole King – It Might As Well Rain Until September – 09-62
And the ones that got away: Cliff Richard – Bachelor Boy – 12-62 Brenda Lee – Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree – 12-62 Ray Charles – I Can’t Stop Loving You – 06-62 Sam Cooke – Twistin’ The Night Away – 03-62 Frank Ifield – I Remember You – 07-62 Bruce Channel – Hey! Baby – 03-62 Bernard Cribbins – Right Said Fred – 07-62 Nat ‘King’ Cole – Let There Be Love – 08-62 Elvis Presley – Return To Sender – 11-62
This was definitely the Aussie’s decade when it came to Wimbledon, with an astonishing number of all-Australian singles and doubles finals. The World Snooker Championship, which had been played every year since 1927 (apart from 1941 to 1945 because of World War II) was not held between 1958 and 1963 due to declining interest from players.
1960 The Grand National hit British TV screens live for the first time ever in its 114th year. The steeplechase was won by nine-year-old Merryman II, who, at odds of 13/2, became the first clear favourite to win for 33 years. The Wimbledon all-Australian men’s final saw Neale Fraser beating Rod Laver, and the women’s saw Brazilian Maria Bueno defeat South African Sandra Reynolds. David Broome (Show jumper) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Don Thompson (Athlete).
Aussie Kel Nagle won the British Open Golf Championship, beating American Arnold Palmer. A new Eurovision television circuit meant the Rome Olympics reached a greater worldwide television audience than ever before. While Anita Lonsborough and David Broome won gold for Britain, perhaps the most enduring domestic memory of the games is Don Thompson, who prepared for the heat by training in his bathroom and triumphed in the 50 kilometres walk.
1961 The Wimbledon all-British women’s final saw Angela Mortimer beating Christine Truman, and the men’s saw Aussie Rod Laver defeat American Chuck McKinley. Stirling Moss (Formula One) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Billy Walker (Boxer). American Arnold Palmer won the British Open Golf Championship, beating Welshman Dai Rees.
1962 The Wimbledon all-Australian men’s final saw Rod Laver beating Martin Mulligan, and the women’s saw American Karen Susman defeat Czech Vera Sukova. Anita Lonsbrough (Swimmer) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Dorothy Hyman (Athlete). American Arnold Palmer won the British Open Golf Championship, beating Aussie Bob Charles. England were the only British side to reach the 1962 Football world cup finals. But Brazil knocked them out in the quarter finals and went home with the trophy.
1963 The Wimbledon men’s final saw American Chuck McKinley beating Australian Fred Stolle, and the women’s saw Aussie Margaret Smith defeat American Billie Jean Moffat. Dorothy Hyman (Athlete) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Bobby McGregor (Swimmer). Aussie Bob Charles won the British Open Golf Championship, beating American Phil Rodgers. A left hook from British Boxer Henry Cooper floored Cassius Clay at Wembley in 1963. But Clay was saved by the bell and went on to triumph over Cooper.
1964 The Wimbledon all-Australian men’s final saw Roy Emerson beating Fred Stolle, and the women’s saw Brazilian Maria Bueno defeat Aussie Margaret Smith. World Snooker champion was John Pullman (ENG), who beat Fred Davis (ENG), who had won it 8 times – his brother Joe won 15 times in the 1920s and 30s.
Mary Rand (Athlete) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Barry Briggs (Speedway). Tony Jacklin won the British Open Golf Championship, beating Aussie Bob Charles. Olympic Games in Tokyo. Britain picked up a long jump double with Mary Rand picking up Great Britain’s first ever gold in women’s athletics and Lynn Davies upsetting the form book in the men’s event. Ann Packer matched their achievements with a stunning run in the 800 metres.
1965 The Wimbledon all-Australian men’s final saw Roy Emerson beating Fred Stolle, and the women’s saw Aussie Margaret Smith defeat Brazilian Maria Bueno. Tom Simpson (Cyclist) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Jim Clarke (Formula One). World Snooker champion was John Pullman (ENG), who beat Rex Williams (ENG) and Fred Davis (ENG) in challenge matches. Tony Jacklin won the British Open Golf Championship, beating Welshman Brian Huggett and Irishman Christy O’Connor Snr.
1966 The Wimbledon men’s final saw Spaniard Manuel Santana beating American Dennis Ralston, and the women’s saw American Billie Jean King (nee Moffat) defeat Brazilian Maria Bueno. Bobby Moore (Footballer) was voted Sports Personality of the Year , beating Barry Briggs (Speedway).
World Snooker champion was John Pullman (ENG), who beat Rex Williams (ENG), Fred Van Rensburg (SAF) and Fred Davis (ENG) in challenge matches. American Jack Nicklaus won the British Open Golf Championship, beating American Doug Sanders and Welshman Dave Thomas. Geoff Hurst hit a hat-trick as England clinched their only Football World Cup victory. England beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley and the nation went wild.
1967 Wimbledon saw the first scheduled UK colour broadcast. The men’s final had Australian John Newcombe beating German Wilhelm Bungert, and the women’s saw American Billie Jean King defeat Brit Anne Jones. Henry Cooper (Boxer) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Beryl Burton (Cyclist). Tony Jacklin won the British Open Golf Championship, beating American Jack Nicklaus. Celtic lifted the European Cup.
1968 The Wimbledon all-Australian men’s final saw Rod Laver beating Tony Roache, and the women’s saw American Billie Jean King defeat Aussie Judy Tegart. David Hemery (Athlete) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Graham Hill (Formula One). World Snooker champion was John Pullman (ENG), who beat Eddie Charlton (AUS). Tony Jacklin won the British Open Golf Championship, beating Aussie Bob Charles and American Jack Nicklaus.
Mexico Olympics. They were broadcast live and in glorious colour, and largely due to the altitude, a total of 34 world and 38 Olympic records were set. Bob Beamon broke the World Long jump record and American high jumper Dick Fosbury won gold with his ‘flop’ style that was to revolutionise the event and replace the conventional straddle technique. David Hemery broke the world record as he stormed to victory in the 400 metres hurdles. Manchester United lifted the European Cup.
1969 The Wimbledon all-Australian men’s final saw Rod Laver beating John Newcombe, and the women’s saw Brit Anne Jones defeat American Billie Jean King. Anne Jones (Tennis) was voted Sports Personality of the Year, beating Tony Jacklin (Golfer). World Snooker champion was John Spencer (ENG), who beat Gary Owen (WAL). Tony Jacklin won the British Open Golf Championship, beating Aussie Bob Charles.
The early 60s saw a continuation of the 1950s fashion-wise, with skirt suits and coordinating accessories. First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy epitomized this look during her husband’s short presidency. She was admired around the world for her put-together, lady-like look consisting of boxy skirt-suits like Givenchy suits, sheath and A-line dresses, and luxurious coats–all accessorized with white gloves, pearls, and a matching hat. Some common elements of her style included: pillbox hat, suits in pastel colours, short boxy-style jackets, shift dresses, oversized sunglasses, pearls.
The middle of the decade was very much influenced by the cultural phenomenon termed Swinging London which focused on youth, spotlighting music and fashion, the epicentre being the famous Carnaby Street. It brought us The Beatles and the miniskirt, Twiggy and The Who. The designer who led the way in the “youthquake” was Mary Quant who opened her first shop, Bazaar, on the King’s Road in Chelsea, London in 1955. Quant’s child-like, colourful designs appealed to teenagers and young people who had more disposable income than any generation before, differing from the stuffy looks of the older generation. Boutiques were groovy places where modern music played and young owners and customers collaborated on new looks that came only in small sizes.
By the late 1960s, more new styles and culture emerged, some heavily influenced by the space-race, putting man on the moon, others using way-out materials such as PVC. Skirts dipped back to mid-calf and, by 1969, the full-length maxi-skirt saw a move towards the “hippie” aesthetic. Suede, headbands, kaftans, Afghan coats, beads and other non-Western elements of adornment were embraced as were flowing skirts and second-hand clothing.
1. Del Shannon – Runaway – 05-61
2. Dion – Runaround Sue – 11-61
3. The Shirelles – Will You Love Me Tomorrow – 02-61
4. Bobby Vee – Take Good Care Of My Baby – 11-61
5. Neil Sedaka – Calendar Girl – 02-61
6. Billy Fury – Jealousy – 09-61
7. Elvis Presley – Wooden Heart – 03-61
8. Mr. Acker Bilk – Stranger On The Shore – 12-61
9. The Dave Brubeck Quartet – Take Five – 11-61
10. Ray Charles – Hit The Road Jack – 10-61
11. John Leyton – Johnny Remember Me – 08-61
12. Ricky Nelson – Hello Mary Lou/Travellin’ Man – 06-61
13. Helen Shapiro – Walkin’ Back To Happiness – 10-61
And a couple bubbling under: Danny Williams – Moon River – 11-61 Elvis Presley – Are You Lonesome Tonight – 01-61
1960 Psycho – A Phoenix secretary embezzles forty thousand dollars from her employer’s client, goes on the run, and checks into a remote motel run by a young man under the domination of his mother. Spartacus – The slave Spartacus leads a violent revolt against the decadent Roman Republic. The Magnificent Seven – Seven gunfighters are hired by Mexican peasants to liberate their village from oppressive bandits. The Apartment – A Manhattan insurance clerk tries to rise in his company by letting its executives use his apartment for trysts, but complications and a romance of his own ensue.
1961 West Side Story – Two youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy. Breakfast at Tiffany’s – A young New York socialite becomes interested in a young man who has moved into her apartment building, but her past threatens to get in the way. One Hundred and One Dalmatians – When a litter of Dalmatian puppies are abducted by the minions of Cruella de Vil, the parents must find them before she uses them for a diabolical fashion statement.
The Hustler – An up-and-coming pool player plays a long-time champion in a single high-stakes match.
1962 To Kill a Mockingbird – Atticus Finch, a lawyer in the Depression-era South, defends a black man against an undeserved rape charge, and his children against prejudice. Lawrence of Arabia – The story of T.E. Lawrence, the English officer who successfully united and led the diverse, often warring, Arab tribes during World War I in order to fight the Turks. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance – A senator returns to a Western town for the funeral of an old friend and tells the story of his origins. Dr. No – A resourceful British government agent seeks answers in a case involving the disappearance of a colleague and the disruption of the American space program. Lolita – A middle-aged college professor becomes infatuated with a fourteen-year-old girl.
1963 The Pink Panther – The bumbling Inspector Clouseau travels to Rome to catch a notorious jewel thief known as “The Phantom” before he conducts his most daring heist yet: a princess’ priceless diamond with one slight imperfection, known as “The Pink Panther”. The Great Escape – Allied prisoners of war plan for several hundred of their number to escape from a German camp during World War II.
1964 A Fistful of Dollars – A wandering gunfighter plays two rival families against each other in a town torn apart by greed, pride, and revenge. Goldfinger – While investigating a gold magnate’s smuggling, James Bond uncovers a plot to contaminate the Fort Knox gold reserve. Dr Strangelove – An insane general triggers a path to nuclear holocaust that a War Room full of politicians and generals frantically tries to stop. Mary Poppins – In turn of the century London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father. A Hard Day’s Night – Over two “typical” days in the life of The Beatles, the boys struggle to keep themselves and Sir Paul McCartney’s mischievous grandfather in check while preparing for a live TV performance.
1965 The Sound of Music – A woman leaves an Austrian convent to become a governess to the children of a Naval officer widower. Doctor Zhivago – The life of a Russian physician and poet who, although married to another, falls in love with a political activist’s wife and experiences hardship during World War I and then the October Revolution. The Ipcress File – In London, a wisecracking spy investigates the kidnapping and brainwashing of British scientists while dealing with the constraints of his agency’s bureaucracy.
1966 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly – A bounty hunting scam joins two men in an uneasy alliance against a third in a race to find a fortune in gold buried in a remote cemetery. Batman: The Movie – The Dynamic Duo faces four supervillains who plan to hold the world for ransom with the help of a secret invention that instantly dehydrates people.
1967 The Jungle Book – Bagheera the Panther and Baloo the Bear have a difficult time trying to convince a boy to leave the jungle for human civilization. Bonnie and Clyde – Bored waitress Bonnie Parker falls in love with an ex-con named Clyde Barrow and together they start a violent crime spree through the country, stealing cars and robbing banks. In the Heat of the Night – A black Philadelphia police detective is mistakenly suspected of a local murder while passing through a racially hostile Mississippi town, and after being cleared is reluctantly asked by the police chief to investigate the case. The Dirty Dozen – During World War II, a rebellious U.S. Army Major is assigned a dozen convicted murderers to train and lead them into a mass assassination mission of German officers. The Producers – A stage-play producer devises a plan to make money by producing a sure-fire flop. The Graduate – A disillusioned college graduate finds himself torn between his older lover and her daughter.
1968 The Thomas Crown Affair – A debonair, adventuresome bank executive believes he has pulled off the perfect multi-million dollar heist, only to match wits with a sexy insurance investigator who will do anything to get her man. Once Upon a Time in the West – A mysterious stranger with a harmonica joins forces with a notorious desperado to protect a beautiful widow from a ruthless assassin working for the railroad. 2001: A Space Odyssey – After discovering a mysterious artifact buried beneath the Lunar surface, mankind sets off on a quest to find its origins with help from intelligent supercomputer H.A.L. 9000. Planet of the Apes – An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet where highly intelligent non-human ape species are dominant and humans are enslaved.
1969 The Italian Job – Comic caper movie about a plan to steal a gold shipment from the streets of Turin by creating a traffic jam. The Wild Bunch – An aging group of outlaws look for one last big score as the “traditional” American West is disappearing around them. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid – Wyoming, early 1900s. Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid are the leaders of a band of outlaws. After a train robbery goes wrong they find themselves on the run with a posse hard on their heels. Their solution – escape to Bolivia. Midnight Cowboy – A naive hustler travels from Texas to New York City to seek personal fortune, finding a new friend in the process. Easy Rider – Through the open country and desert lands, two bikers head from L.A to New Orleans, and along the way, meet a man who bridges a counter-culture gap they are unaware of.
1. Roy Orbison – Only The Lonely – 09-60 2. Elvis Presley – It’s Now Or Never – 11-60 3. Johnny Preston – Running Bear – 02-60 4. Shirley Bassey – As Long As He Needs Me – 08-60 5. The Drifters – Save The Last Dance For Me – 11-60 6. Bobby Darin – Beyond The Sea (La Mer) – 02-60 7. The Everly Brothers – Cathy’s Clown – 04-60 8. Eddie Cochran – Three Steps To Heaven – 05-60 9. The Shadows – Apache – 08-60 10. Johnny Tillotson – Poetry In Motion – 12-60 11. Ricky Valance – Tell Laura I Love Her – 09-60 12. Johnny Kidd & The Pirates – Shakin’ All Over – 07-60 13. Brian Hyland – Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polka Dot Bikini – 07-60
And the ones that didn’t quite make the grade: Elvis Presley – Girl Of My Best Friend – 08-60 Neil Sedaka – Stairway To Heaven – 05-60 Peter Sellers & Sophia Loren – Goodness Gracious Me – 11-60
During the years Britain was at war (1939–45), life was frequently hard and people lived with with fear, injury, death and destruction. Families were often separated due to evacuation and fathers going away to fight. The British had to endure the bombing of their towns and cities in the Blitz, as well as attacks from flying bombs and rockets. In all 60,595 civilians were killed and 86,182 seriously injured. Rationing of food began in January 1940 and clothes in June 1941. By 1943, virtually every household item was either in short supply and had to be queued for, or was unobtainable.
Despite the danger and deprivations, there was a great and genuine community spirit in wartime Britain which often transcended class and other barriers. But there was also an almost universal feeling, that after victory the country could not go back to pre-war social conditions. For starters, women had stepped up to the demands for them to take on ‘men’s work’ in factories, offices, and out in the fields. Many women learned to drive to help with ambulances and fire engines, and some even flew planes (mostly transporting between airfields). VE Day found Britain exhausted, drab and in poor shape, but proud of its unique role in gaining the Allied victory.
In 1948, four years after the war ended, the state of play looked like this:
People often lived in the same town all their lives, near their families and there were often more than three children in every family.
One third of the British population went to the cinema at least once a week , other regular entertainment saw church halls and ballrooms packed with people dancing to swing music or attending concerts of classical, jazz and big band music.
There were only 14,500 television sets in the whole country and there was only one channel (BBC). Hardly any homes had a television and most families listened to the wireless (radio) for their entertainment.
A quarter of British homes had no electricity. Many homes did not have a washing machine, telephone or an indoor toilet. With no central heating, coal fires heated the main living rooms. Fitted carpets were rare, most houses having stone floors downstairs and wooden floors with rugs.
Cooking was done from scratch using produce grown locally. You could only buy items that were in season and most of what you bought was made or grown in the UK.
There were only just over a million cars on Britain’s roads. Petrol rationing remained until 1954. For most people, this made the car an unaffordable luxury. Most people used public transport to get around. Air travel was mainly for the rich. To go abroad, most people travelled by ship.
The average weekly wage was £3 18s (£3.90). Now it is about £600 (2023)
Tina was a huge influence on my musical tastes, right back from Nutbush City Limits in 1973, and I followed her from then, loving her skillful meld of rock and soul and fascinated by her style, energy and phenomenal performances.
For my 40th, I became Tina at a fancy-dress Halloween party – ran 3 miles, 3 times a weeek for 3 months to get the legs for it! A couple of my friends bought me a session at Olan Mills and this was the result – nowhere near a match, but I had great fun doing it.
She touched a lot of people’s lives, and inspired many women to stand up for themselves, but more than anything, she brought us joy. Rest in peace, Tina – we love you.
In time-honoured tradition, here’s my Tina Turner top thirteen. 1. Private Dancer – 1984 2. What’s Love Got to Do with It? – 1984 3. (Simply) The Best – 1989 4. We Don’t Need Another Hero – 1985 5. Nutbush City Limits – 1973 6. Addicted to Love – 1988 7. Steamy Windows – 1989 8. Better be Good to Me – 1984 9. Let’s Stay Together – 1983 10. Proud Mary – 1993 11. Way of the World – 1991 12. Golden Eye – 1995 13. When the Heartache is Over – 1999
She also made a bunch of duets with some awesome superstars: • It Takes Two (with Rod Stewart) – 1990 • Tonight (with David Bowie) – 1984 • It’s Only Love (with Bryan Adams) – 1985 • In Your Wildest Dreams (with Barry White) – 1996 • On Silent Wings (with Sting) – 1996 • Tearing Us Apart (with Eric Clapton) – 1987
JRo Author 