Spotlight on Oliva Newton-John

What music do you hear as the background setting for your teen/young adult years? For those of us who grew up during the '70s and '80s, the songs on the radio were offerings such as, "Midnight Blue" from Melissa Manchester, "Dancing Queen" from ABBA, "Bennie and the Jets" from Elton John, "Mandy" from Barry Manilow and from the ethereal, ever-eternal David Bowie, things like "Ziggy Stardust." It was a heady moment in time and as Bob Dylan fortold, "The times they are a changin.'"

One of the standouts back then, was a gifted Australian import by the name of Olivia Newton-John. Her silky, sweet voice first caught fire in the U.S. with
a song penned by the aforementioned Bob Dylan, "If Not For You," planted
her firmly in our minds and on American charts... Country, that is. "I Honestly Love You," "Have You Never Been Mellow," "Please Mr. Please" quickly trailed, followed by her film debut in the phenomenon that was "Grease" and the string of hits from the film's soundtrack. Much more came after, with many, many attached accolades and awards, making her a part
of the fabric of our lives and cementing her place in our hearts.

She hasn't slowed since, not even for cancer. And now, we have a chance to know her a little better.

I usually start most of my interviews by asking musicians what the earliest memories are around music. Do you have something that you'd mind sharing?

I would say my earliest memories around music were around the piano with my family when I was a young girl. My mum said I used to sing all the time and my dad was a wonderful singer, too. I have a lot of memories singing around the piano with them... It was very special.

What would you say sparked your desire to perform?

I have been singing as far back as I can remember... And that's a long time ago. (Laughs) When I was a young girl, my sister Rona convinced me to enter a talent contest that was sort of like "American Idol" or "The Voice," only much smaller. Much to my amazement, I won! The prize was a trip to England. I didn't want to leave my friends and family, but my mum convinced me that I had to go. I am forever grateful to her for that.

From what I've researched, your first hit in 1971 was the Bob Dylan song "If Not For You," from your album of the same name. Please tell me the story of how it came to you and why you decided to record an album under that name.

I don't remember the exact details, other than my producers in the U.K. wanted me to record a Bob Dylan song. To be honest, at the time, I didn't like the song very much, but, it went on to be my first hit record in America. I've grown to love it and what makes it even more special, is that it's my husband John's favorite song of mine!

I find it interesting that you have been so popular across so many genres. To what do you attribute that phenomenon?

I've been lucky! (Laughs) I really have to give credit to my producers and songwriters. I was blessed to have wonderful songs and talented people around me. Often when I recorded, I didn't think the song was a particular genre. But in America, it was very different than in Australia or the U.K. at the time. I never would have thought that recording songs in London, with Aussie and British songwriters and producers, would have been country hits in America. But, what did I know! (Laughs)

Do you think that it has been an asset or a challenge over the course of your career?

I don't see it either way. I've had a wonderful career, and all of those songs were a part of it. I'm still here and people still turn up to my concerts. So, I guess we did something right! (Laughs)

You are one of the earliest people to record a piece of music about AIDS, back in 1988. What prompted you to include the song "Love and Let Live" on your "Rumors" album?

The '80s were such a difficult time for everyone. I remember during the AIDS crisis we were losing so many dear friends. I know... I lost a lot of them. That's what really prompted me to record that song. We need to do what we can, to bring awareness when we can.

What was the first thing that sparked your passion for advocacy?

I have always wanted to do what I could to help. I think my mum really instilled that quality in me. Whether it was helping animals or doing what I could to do my part to preserve our planet, I've just always felt we need to help others any way we can.

One of the many things that I enjoy about interviewing musicians is how much their music becomes a part of the fabric over time. You will always be identified with a certain moment because of things like "Grease" and your many hit songs around that time and after. Do you have a sense of how much people identify you with a specific moment in their lives and admire you because of it?

You're very sweet... That means a lot. During my "Summer Nights" resident show in Las Vegas at the Flamingo, after the show we do a "meet and greet," where I get to hear beautiful stories from fans from all over the world. I love hearing how certain songs were a big part of their lives, whether it was "I got married to 'I Honestly Love You,' or 'Magic' was playing when my daughter graduated from school." All of those stories make me proud that those moments will live forever with fans.

Do you have any fan stories that you'd like to share?

There are so many beautiful stories, and funny ones too! In fact, a dear friend of mine, Del Shores ("Sordid Lives"), said to me early on that I was his crush when he was still "straight." I get that from a lot of my gay male fans. (Laughs) I've had a few fans propose in front of me, and now that marriage equality is here, the memory makes me even happier! I've had a few gay couple's proposals at my meet and greets, and it makes me so happy. Love is love!

If you had to name your top five "moments" in your career or your life that stand out for you, what would they be?

I would say first and foremost the birth of my daughter, Chloe. And, speaking of my number one, I am so proud that a duet that she and I did last year, "You Have to Believe," a remake of "Magic" from Xanadu, hit #1 on the Billboard Dance Club chart! The others that come to mind are marrying my husband John Easterling, on a mountaintop in Peru; the summer we filmed "Grease"; the opening of the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in my hometown of Melbourne, Australia and performing at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. How about a story about some of the people that you have worked with: Do you have a favorite?

I've been very lucky to have worked with some wonderful people. I guess two of my favorites were dancing with Gene Kelly and John Travolta. Both were so wonderful to me in their own ways when we were filming "Xanadu" and "Grease."

You're returning to a residency at the Flamingo again this summer. How does that compare to touring for you?

I love touring and seeing all the different parts of the world, but, I do love performing in Vegas because it's such a great city and a wonderful community. It's the most "normal" job I've ever had. (Laughs) I actually have a routine, and I get to sleep in the same bed every night! But, what makes me happiest about Vegas is that Caesars and the Flamingo have agreed to donate a portion of every ticket to my cancer and wellness centre in Australia. So every night, it gives me even more purpose to be out on stage, because everyone in the audience is helping someone through their cancer journey by supporting our wellness programs!

What would you say are the biggest factors for staying healthy? Have they changed for you over the years?

Eating properly and exercising are big factors for sure-I try to eat organic as often as I can! I also love to be out in nature; that helps keep me balanced! My mum taught me at a very young age to enjoy life, and it just keeps getting better and better! Oh, and laughing, that is so important! I laugh at myself sometimes too! You can't sweat the small things or take yourself too seriously!

Is there anything we've missed you want to add?

I am so excited, because we just announced a new CD recording project that I am very proud of. It's called "LIV ON." It is a collaboration with two very dear friends of mine, Beth [Nielsen Chapman] and Amy [Sky] and intended for those who wish to transcend loss while walking a journey toward newfound meaning and hope. As a group, it's our intention to create songs with a message of compassion and hope with this album. They are for anyone facing a time of challenge in their life, whether it is grieving a loss, or on the journey to health and recovery. It will be available in June, and I
hope it helps a lot people!

Thank you so much for doing this and I can't wait to see you in March!

I look forward to seeing you there!

Olivia Newton-John will be at Pala Casino on Friday, March 25. For tickets and more information, go to palacasino.com/pa_event/olivia-newton-john.

LIV ON, the album collaboration with Beth Nielsen Chapman and Amy Sky she mentions, is due out on Friday, June 10. For more information on the album, go to livonmusic.com