Terry Britten is an English-Australian songwriter, record producer, and guitarist best known for his influential work in pop and rock music from the 1960s onward. Over a career spanning six decades, Britten has established himself as one of the most successful and respected songwriters in popular music, with compositions recorded by many of the world’s leading artists.

Born in Manchester, Britten moved to Australia as a child in the 60’s and began his musical career as lead guitarist and chief songwriter for the Twilights, an iconic Australian pop-rock band who’s chart success included the psychedelic 9-50, If she finds Out and No 1 hit Needle in a Haystack. This early experience as a performer, writer and arranger helped shape his melodic style and practical understanding of songwriting, and recording.

After The Twilights disbanded in 1969, Terry returned to London and became a sought after   session guitarist, recording at Abbey Rd studios etc for artists such as The Walker Bros, Gene Pitney, Alvin Stardust, The New Seekers, Bonnie Tyler and numerous Cliff Richard songs, leaving his mark on many early 70’s hits with his distinctive guitar work.

As his career progressed, he shifted his focus toward songwriting and producing, where he would make his most lasting impact. 

Working with a wide range of artists he began a major period of collaboration with Cliff Richard as his main songwriter/producer/guitarist and musical director over 5 albums and international tours. The single Devil Woman (1976) was an international success, Cliff’s first No 5 hit in the US and opened the movie I Tonya in 2017. Terry co produced/wrote the UK No 3 album Rock ‘n’ Roll Juvenile (1979) with the single Carrie also becoming an international hit and reaching No 4 in UK.  By the end of the 70s, Britten was a significant force in pop music production and songwriting.

Carrying on his international songwriting success, his biggest and most iconic achievement came in 1984 when he produced and co-wrote, with Graham Lyle, What’s Love Got to Do with It for Tina Turner. This began Terry’s long and treasured association with Tina. The song topped charts worldwide, won 3 Grammy Awards for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Female Pop Vocal, was a Billboard No 1 single and the title of her biographical film. It was the centerpiece of her 1984 Private Dancer album and became her signature hit. 'What's Love' was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame and the National Museum of African American Music.

We Don’t Need Another Hero, also co-written with Lyle and sung by Tina for the film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome, won a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song. It also received two Ivor Novello Awards - Best Contemporary Song and Best Theme Film Song.

Both songs feature in past and current productions of the hit musicals Tina and Moulin Rouge including runs in London’s West End and on Broadway.  

Terry and Graham went on to co-write 4 songs (3 singles) produced by Terry including the title track and lead single Typical Male on Tina’s hit 1986 album Break Every Rule, with that single reaching no 2 in the US charts. Other songs include Two People, What You get Is What you See, Show Some Respect, Stay A While, Till The Right Man Comes Along, I Want You Near Me, and the haunting Something Beautiful Remains, which Terry re-worked in 2023 as a deeply felt and personal tribute to her. The track ultimately featured on Universal’s compilation album Queen Of Rock ‘n Roll, an anthology of her solo singles. 

Beyond those landmark songs, Terry has composed music for film and television, and has written and produced songs for many other artists including:

• Michael Jackson/Stevie Wonder - Just Good Friends (for his Bad album 1987)
• Michael Jackson She’s Trouble (1982)
• Crystal Gayle’s No 1 - Straight to the Heart (1986)
• Celine Dion - Rain Tax (2002)
• Dusty Springfield - Old Habits Die Hard  (1995)
• Dianna Ross – Change of Heart (1991)
• Bonnie Raitt - Storm Warning (1994)
• Lenny Kravitz - Heaven Help (1993) Circus (1995) Baptized (2004)
• Hall & Oats – Give It Up (1990)
• Olivia Newton John - Love Make Me Strong (1981) Toughen Up (1985)
• Patti Labelle – When you love somebody (1991)
• Pointer Sisters – See How the Love Goes (1982)
• Hank Marvin - Don’t Talk (1995) The Trouble With Me Is You (1982)
• Meat Loaf - Getting Away With Murder (1986)
• Patti Austin - Getting Away With Murder (1985)
• Randy Crawford - (1985)
• The Weather Girls - No One Can Love You More Than Me (1985)
• Melissa Manchester - No One Can Love You More Than Me (1985)
• Anita Baker - Soul Inspiration (1990)
• BA Robertson -  Bang Bang (1980) Kool In the Kaftan (1980)

Terry’s catalogue spans 6 decades and blends pop accessibility, with skillful song craftsmanship. His ability to adapt his style to different artists and formats has contributed to the longevity of his career and the enduring popularity of his work.

In 2021 he was inducted into the Australian Songwriters Hall Of Fame. 

Terry remains as prolific as ever, still plays every day and continues to write and produce for other artists, as well as his own projects. His double album Afterglow released in 2022 was his debut as a solo artist, and features an eclectic mix of hits and styles covering 50 years of songwriting. This was followed by the album Other Side of The Tracks in 2024 of mostly new material. A new recording project is near completion and is due for release in spring 2026. 

Terry Britten is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished British songwriters of his generation. His contributions to popular music—particularly his role in shaping some of the defining hits of the 1980s - continue to be covered, licensed, and rediscovered by new generations of listeners and resonate with audiences around the world.

All bios appear as they were submitted in the year of induction or award presentation.