We honestly loved you

We honestly loved you

The news that Dame Olivia Newton-John died has evoked genuine sadness from fans and admirers around the world. British-born but lovingly adopted by Australia, ONJ had a career that spanned five decades, transected genres, and garnered many prestigious awards. Her battle with breast cancer, which began 30 years ago, led her to establish the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre in 2012. 

Newton-John was born on 26 September 1948, in Cambridge, England. Her family moved to Melbourne, Australia when Newton-John was six years old. Her talent sprouted early and by the time she was 14 she was already appearing on local Australian television. Her destiny was sealed when she appeared on The Go! Show and met Pat Carroll, with whom she would later form a duet, and John Farrer, who would write songs for the duet and then continue to write for Newton-John when she went solo. 

Newton-John’s steady rise to success began in earnest when she moved to the UK after winning the trip as a prize in a talent contest. In 1970, she released her first solo album and from it, the first single, “If Not For You”, written by Bob Dylan, broke her into the US charts. Her follow-up single, “Banks of the Ohio”, reached the Top 10 in UK and Australia, but it wasn’t until 1973 that she was able to make inroads in the US again. “Let Me Be There” entered the top echelon of several US charts and earned Newton-John a Grammy Award for Best Country Female. 

In 1974, Newton-John sang the UK entry in the Eurovision Song Contest, “Long Live Love”. It was the same year that ABBA sang “Waterloo”. We know how that went. 

Her next hit single was “If You Love Me, Let Me Know” which faired well on the charts. Then she was presented with a song written by Peter Allen and Jeff Barry; a heartfelt ballad called “I Honestly Love You”. It became her first number one single, earned her the Grammys for Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance – Female. 

Soon after, Newton-John moved to the US. Though her 1977 single, “Sam” performed reasonably well, the album and singles that immediately followed saw a gentle backwards slide. 

In 1978, Newton-John starred opposite John Travolta in the smash hit film, Grease. It made her an international star. The soundtrack produced three more hit songs for Newton-John, two of which were especially written for the movie by long-time collaborator, John Farrar: “You’re The One That I Want” and “Hopelessly Devoted To You”. Grease catapulted Newton-John to international stardom. 

Her next film, also a musical, was Xanadu in 1980, in which she danced (and roller-skated) with screen legend, Gene Kelly. The theme song, “Magic” and “Suddenly” were hit songs from the film soundtrack. 

Arguably the second most pivotal career iteration for Newton-John was the release of the 1981 album, Physical, and with it, a new, steamy image. The song “Physical” caused outrage in some quarters due to its suggestive overtones, but that didn’t stop it becoming a phenomenal hit. 

Though Newton-John never quite repeated the success of Grease or Physical, she had established herself as a mega-star. 

Olivia leads the 2018 Wellness Walk and Research Run.

In 1986, she gave birth to daughter, Chloe and entered a new phase in her life. Then in 1992, on the brink of a come-back tour, Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer. Her experience through treatment into remission galvanised her resolve to be an advocate for the greater good. 

She promoted health and wellness and got behind many animal welfare and environmental causes. It wasn’t just lip-service; she was present and active and achieved much. 

Her proudest legacy, in her own estimation, is the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness and Research Centre she helped establish in 2012. It bears her name and it holds her spirit. Newton-John frequently visited the centre, spending time with staff and patients. 

Newton-John started the Walk for Wellness 5km walk or run fundraiser to support cancer research. 

ONJ will be remembered for the beautiful soul, angelic voice, and warm, generous heart she had and readily shared. 

Love and light, Olivia. 

www.onjcancercentre.org

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