Judy L. Hasday - Tina Turner

Tina Turner, hugged by singer/songwriter Lionel Ritchie, holds the three Grammys she received at the 1985 awards ceremony. Tina was honored for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance (for the song "Better Be Good to Me"), and she won Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and Record of the Year for "What's Love Got To Do with It," her first number-one hit.

Source: Ann Summa/London Features International.

Throughout the rest of the evening, audiences were treated to performances by such artists as Kenny Loggins, Stevie Wonder, and the first Grammy winner of the night, Cyndi Lauper. But even the legendary composer and conductor Leonard Bernstein kept his Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech brief because, he explained, "it would mean taking one more minute away from guess who? Tina Turner."

Before the evening's telecast, Tina had already won the Grammy for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance for "Better Be Good to Me." Awards ceremony host John Denver announced her stage performance. "So let's see, 'River Deep, Mountain High,' 'Proud Mary,' 'I Want to Take You Higher' you know who I'm talking about," said Denver. "Here's the explosive, the one and only, Tina Turner!" Clad in an elegant shimmering red mini-gown, the woman described by the New York Times as "two sensational legs topped by an explosion of hair" strutted on stage to an enthusiastic outpouring of affection from the audience. After the husky-voiced singer finished performing her hit single "What's Love Got To Do with It," she was rewarded with a thunderous standing ovation. It would truly be a night to remember.

The Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance was announced by co-presenters Andy Summers and Julian Lennon. Nominated along with Tina were Sheila E., Sheena Easton, Cyndi Lauper, and Denice Williams. Before Summers even finished announcing Tina's name, the audience was on its feet, filling the auditorium with cheers and applause.

An elated Tina accepted the award, thanking not only the songwriters and her manager, Roger Davies, but also her fans. "I've been waiting for this opportunity for such a long time," she said. "I want to thank all the people [who] voted for me and all of the viewers [who are] rooting for me, and all of you here this evening. I feel really good. Thank you very much."

Only Chaka Khan's win for Best Female Rhythm-and-Blues Vocal Performance prevented Turner from becoming the first woman to win in three vocal categories in the same year. But there was more to come before the end of this magical night in Tina Turner's life.

The long ceremony came to a close with the announcement of the winner of Record of the Year, the evening's highest honor. Presenting the award was Motown great Diana Ross, who teased the audience before announcing the winner: "What's Love Got To Do with It." The audience was standing before Tina and her producer, Terry Britten, even reached the stage.

Once on stage, Tina, now wearing a slinky black and silver minidress, confessed that she hadn't really liked the title song when she first heard it. "It wasn't my type of song. It wasn't written for me. It's a bit odd, but that's what hit records are about," she said. She looked out at the audience as she continued: "My goodness, this has been a wonderful evening. I'd love to tell everyone just how it really feels, but I don't have the time." While some in the crowd were still yelling, "We love you Tina!" the singer focused her attention on a particular spot in the audience as she continued. "I'd like to take this award and give it to someone that's been wonderful to me as a friend and in business and in many ways, my manager Roger Davies." Tina raised the Grammy award in Roger's direction and said, "It's been a wonderful year."