Career
Britten is a native of Manchester, but began writing for the Adelaide, Australia band The Twilights, a popular 1960s band for which he played lead guitar. At times he co-wrote with Glenn Shorrock and Peter Brideoake. He also recorded a single under his own name, "2000 Weeks" / "Bargain Day" (1969).
One single was issued in 1969 on Decca in the United Kingdom and Australia and London in the United States: "Now" / "Will My Lady Come" (Decca United Kingdom-F12974, Aust Y-8977, United States London LON 1031) and a second single in the United Kingdom only in 1970 "Joseph" / "Mama Where Did You Fail" (Decca F13072).
After the Twilights broke up, he returned to England and moved to London, where he did session work. Britten"s multi layered guitars featured on Alvin Stardust"s 1973 hit "My Coo Ca Choo".
In 1973 he was part of Cliff Richard"s Eurovision Song Contest 1973 entry and, along with John Farrar, Alan Tarney and Trevor Spencer, submitted six songs. Of which "Power to All Our Friends" was chosen and came third.
After a lean charting period for Cliff Richard, Britten gave him "Devil Woman" and, in 1976, it became Richard"s first top 10 in the United Kingdom for three years (and his first top 10 hit in the United States).
He was a guitarist in Richard"s band for many years and was the co-producer and main songwriter for Richard"s 1979 album Rock "n" Roll Juvenile, which reached Number. 3 in the United Kingdom Album Chart. He wrote and co-wrote with Bachelor of Arts Robertson 10 of the 12 songs, of which "Carrie" reached Number.
4 in the United Kingdom Singles Chart.
In the early 1980s, Britten"s psychedelic rock song, "9.50", was revived by Australia"s Divinyls as a b-side to their 1984 single, "Good Die Young". With Graham Lyle, Britten also wrote "What"s Love Got to Do with lieutenant" and this became Tina Turner"s million selling hit.
"What"s Love Got to Do with lieutenant" (1984), reached Number. 3 in the United Kingdom Singles Chart and Number.
Later that year, they co-wrote "We Don"t Need Another Hero" for the film Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome.
Also sung by Tina Turner, the song reached Number. 2 in the United States and Number. 3 in the United Kingdom. lieutenant also earned Turner a 1986 Grammy nomination for best female popular vocal performance. He also acted as a record producer for Turner.
Britten has also penned songs for Olivia Newton-John, including "Love Make Maine Strong" (1981) and "Toughen Up" with Graham Lyle (1985).
He has also written for Meat Loaf, Melissa Manchester, Bonnie Raitt, and Hank Marvin. Britten continues to compose from his home base in rural England, but has returned to Australia on occasion, including the Twilights" reunion for the Long Way to the Top concert tour.
In 2002, the song "Rain, Tax (lieutenant"s Inevitable)", co-written by Britten and Charlie Dore, appeared on Celine Dion"s album A New Day Has Come. Britten presently has a home in Richmond, London, and a home recording studio called State of the Arkansas