spotlight
HOPELESSLY DEVOTED TO YOU...
What music do you hear as the back- ground 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 phenom- enon 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.
28 RAGE monthly | MARCH 2016 RAGE monthly | MARCH 2016
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 remem-
ber... 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
Olivia NEWTON-JOHN by joel martens
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.
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