Morecambe musician wins Tina Turner song royalty
A musician from Morecambe who co-wrote a song for Tina Turner in 1990 says he has won a battle for royalties after help from his local MP.
Russ Courtenay, 54, co-wrote Whatever You Need which featured on Tina Turner's Twenty Four Seven album.
He received royalties at the time but said he struggled to get paid when when it came out on a later compilation CD.
Ms Turner's record company, EMI, was not available for comment.
Mr Courtenay, who co-wrote the song with Harriet Roberts when he was at university, said he had been chasing payment from EMI since 2008.
Morecambe MP David Morris, who used to work in the music industry, then stepped in.
Top of the Pops
Mr Morris was part of Stock, Aitken and Waterman's team of songwriters, and played keyboards for Rick Astley.
He utilised his connections in the music business to deal with the royalty claim.
Mr Courtenay declined to say how much he received. "It's a substantial amount but not enough to retire on."
He is a former drummer with the soul group Jimmy James and the Vagabonds and, like Mr Morris, has appeared on BBC One's Top of the Pops show.
He is still writing music and is currently working on a classical album titled Dolce which is due for release in the summer.