An underappreciated singer, Olivia Newton-John breathed sensuality into the soft rock of the ’70s
LA TimesOlivia Newton-John played a good girl gone bad in “Grease,” the movie that turned her into a superstar in 1978. “Physical” also pushed her early successes on the country charts into history, becoming a pop perennial as enduring as “Grease,” but it didn’t open another chapter in her career. “If Not for You” found Newton-John in familiar period garb, recording such contemporary standards as Bob Dylan’s title track, Kris Kristofferson’s “Help Me Make It Through the Night” and “Me and Bobby McGee,” plus Gordon Lightfoot’s “If You Could Read My Mind.” The sounds were as familiar as the songs, pitched halfway between the delicate folk-pop of Anne Murray and the cheerful country of John Denver, yet these productions are distinguished by Newton-John’s presence. The film may have flopped at the box office, but it showed how Newton-John sounded persuasive in a variety of settings: She’s at home in Jeff Lynne’s overcooked title track and duetting with a slick, cornball Cliff Richard on “Suddenly.” Some of this versatility can be heard on the “Physical” album, which hits harder in its rhythms and guitars than her previous albums, a directness that’s mirrored by its blockbuster hit and its sequel “Make a Move on Me.” Hardness never was Newton-John’s comfort zone, though, and the 1980s were a much harder decade than the 1970s. A better reflection of the breadth and depth of Newton-John’s influence may be “Juliana Hatfield Sings Olivia Newton-John,” a 2018 tribute from the indie-rock stalwart.
History of this topic
Olivia Newton-John tribute made by Delta Goodrem ahead of Hamer Hall state memorial for singer
Daily Mail
Grease The Musical London cast dedicate the show's run to Olivia Newton-John following her death
Daily Mail
Olivia Newton-John: Everything the Grease cast have said after late co-star’s death
The Independent
Grease star Dame Olivia Newton-John dies aged 73
The Independent
There was more to Olivia Newton-John than just Grease
The Independent
Olivia Newton-John, who played Sandy in Grease, dies at 73
Live Mint
Olivia Newton-John, who played Sandy in ‘Grease,’ dies at 73
Associated Press
Olivia Newton-John said being in denial about her cancer was a 'good thing' - two years before death
Daily Mail
Olivia Newton-John hailed as an ‘angelic voice’ following death aged 73
The Independent
Is Grease sexist?: Star Olivia Newton-John joins in heated debate around classic musical
The Independent
Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta recreate iconic Grease looks for the first time since 1978
The IndependentDiscover Related
)