The outpouring of love and glowing tributes for Olivia Newton-John following her passing earlier this month has been staggering. And it’s a true testament to how much of an affect she had as a person and a performer to people all around the world.
Olivia Newton-John will always be one of my pop culture touchstones for numerous reasons. Notably:
- Grease (1978) is my all-time favourite movie and was the first movie I ever owned on video cassette—and this was way back before videos were priced for retail, so it wasn’t cheap (thanks, Dad)!
- “Xanadu”, the title track from the silly-sweet 1980 film featuring Newton-John as a roller-skating muse, has a permanent spot on my Top 10 favourite pop singles list.
- The very first record album I owned was the sublime Olivia’s Greatest Hits, Vol. 2.
Her accomplishments were many, and she was known for her sincerity, kindness, and charm just as much as she was for her talent and beauty. And she was a pro in the art of reinvention years before Madonna made it her calling card.
That Newton-John went from being 1974’s Grammy winner for Best Female Country Vocal Performance to the singer who took the racy 80s synth-pop anthem “Physical” to the top of Billboard’s Hot 100 (where it stayed for a staggering, then-record-tying 10 weeks), is nothing short of amazing. Reinventing herself and her sound just came naturally to her, and she made it look effortless.
Perhaps her most enduring legacy, however, will be her portrayal of Sandy in Grease (a character who goes through a sweet-to-sexy reinvention of her own). Beloved by generations of fans, the 50s-set film is widely regarded as one of the greatest movie musicals of all time.
At Stanley Park, here in Vancouver, we have an annual Outdoor Cinema series that presents a different film each Tuesday over the summer. Just last week they had their closing show of the season, and it just so happened to be Grease (having been listed on the schedule since June).
And on that night in the park, when Olivia Newton-John had her spotlight moment as Sandy, singing “Hopelessly Devoted To You”, hundreds of people watched her onscreen, enraptured by this beautiful soul and her beautiful voice.
As her last note faded into the ether, the eruption of cheers and applause that followed left no doubt as to the lives she has touched, the respect she has earned and the impact she has had, and will continue to have, on movie-goers and music fans alike. Now and forever.
Pop Culture Problems 