Tag: Olivia Newton-John

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Photo Round-Up: Olivia Newton-John Premieres New Music Video In Las Vegas

On the red carpet with Olivia Newton-John, Chloe Lattanzi & Michael Caprio
Click to enlarge pic – Photo by Bryan Steffy

Spent last night at Share Nightclub attending the premiere party for Olivia Newton-John’s collaboration with her daughter Chloe Lattanzi and dance music producer Dave Aude, a re-imagining of Olivia’s hit song from XANADU “Magic.”

The new song is a dance track with new verses sung by Chloe and Olivia anchoring the famous chorus. And the video features iconic Las Vegas performers and tribute artists in a late night playground filmed at Vegas’ premier gay nightclub, Share Nightclub.

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Movie Musical XANADU Celebrates 35th Anniversary Today

Thirty-five years ago today the Olivia Newton-John/Gene Kelly musical movie XANADU hit the theaters with a mega-smash hit soundtrack.

Over the past 3+ decades Olivia has often acknowledged that, while the movie’s script had some issues, the honor of working with Gene Kelly was easily one of the highlights of an already stellar career.

She’s also quick to note how successful the soundtrack for the film scored on the music charts.

The soundtrack album hit #2 in the UK and #4 in the US. It was certified Double Platinum in the US and Gold in the UK, plus yielded five top 20 singles.

Three big hits for Olivia:

“Magic” –  #1 for 4 weeks on the Billboard Pop chart, and #1 for 5 weeks on the Adult Contemporary Billboard Chart
“Xanadu” –  hit #8 on the Billboard Pop chart, #2 on Billboard AC chart, and was #1 in the UK
“Suddenly” –  reached #20 on Billboard Pop chart and #4 on the Billboard AC chart

And two hits for ELO:

“All Over the World” – Electric Light Orchestra (No. 13 Pop, No. 45 AC)
“I’m Alive” – Electric Light Orchestra (No. 16 Pop, No. 48 AC, certified gold)

The cult following of the film led to the surprise success of a Broadway musical version of the film, and tonight in Las Vegas Olivia will be premiering the music video of a newly re-worked/remixed version of “Magic” with her daughter Chloe Lattanzi and dance music producer Dave Aude.

But for now, can we just sit back and take in the fabulosity that was the finale of the fab cult favorite?

I have to add – if you look closely you’ll see Golden Globe winner and iconic Bob Fosse dancer Sandahl Bergman as one of Olivia’s sister “muses.” I worked with Sandahl for a long time and THAT was one of the great highlights of my dancing career 🙂

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Entertainment Tonight Previews Olivia Newton-John’s New Music Video: “You Have To Believe”

Last night’s broadcast of ET including a behind the scenes look at the making of Olivia Newton-John’s new music video “You Have To Believe” co-starring her daughter Chloe Lattanzi.

The song is a re-imagining of Olivia’s huge hit “Magic” from her 1980 movie XANADU, which was released exactly 35 years ago today.

Olivia and Chloe mixed it up in the recording studio with mega-dance producer Dave Aude (over 100 #1s on the Billboard Dance Chart).

Watch the preview below. The music video is be available on iTunes this coming Tuesday, and the track will drop on August 21st.

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Teaser: Olivia Newton-John “You Have To Believe”

Tomorrow is the 35th anniversary (to the day!) of the release of the Olivia Newton-John film XANADU.

In honor of that, Livvy and daughter Chloe Lattanzi have mixed it up in the recording studio with UBER-dance remixer Dave Aude to re-invent Olivia’s #1 hit song “Magic” for today, now titled “You Have To Believe,” as a new dance single.

The music video will have it’s big world premiere at Share Nightclub in Las Vegas tomorrow night, where the video was shot with cameo appearances by several big-time Vegas tribute performers.

ONJ wanted to shoot the video in her temporary “hometown” where she has been selling out during her concert residency at The Flamingo Las Vegas, now in her second year.

The music video is set to be available on iTunes this coming Tuesday.

But for now, we get this sneak peak. I have to say – Olivia looks fantastic. #TrueDiva

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Olivia Newton-John & John Farnham Announce LIVE Concert CD

After the record-breaking Australian tour, TWO STRONG HEARTS, uniting superstars Olivia Newton-John and John Farnham, Sony Australia is announcing a treat for the fans who couldn’t get to the concerts.

Via press release:

Sony Music Entertainment Australia is proud to announce the new live album from John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John, TWO STRONG HEARTS LIVE, set for release on Friday June 26th.

The album will be available to pre-order starting Friday, May 28th.

Click here to pre-order through iTunes

Link coming soon to order physical CD in USA


 Together, Farnham and Newton-John’s voices are bound up in the collective DNA of Australian music lovers. Recorded in Melbourne with the Australian Philharmonic Orchestra, the twenty-one track album features fifteen duets with two of Australia’s most iconic singers.

With a 60-piece orchestra behind them, Farnham and Newton-John recently sold out houses around the country. With Chong Lim leading the orchestra, alongside Farnham’s core band and singers, audiences were treated to a thrilling series of gigs that saw each artist dig into their own personal songbook with stunning results.

Today, in 2015, Farnham and Newton-John remain our ‘King and Queen of Pop’. Both are national treasures and, together on stage, they’ve got a helluva set list between them.

“Olivia and I opened the show together,” explains John, “we finished the show together and there was lots of interaction in between. It’s terrific singing with Olivia.”

“It’s a perfect blend of songs,” continues Olivia. “The show just flowed so well. We do duet and sing parts of each other’s songs as well as our own. It was a wonderful experience.”

Highlights From TWO STRONG HEARTS LIVE will be released on June 26th.

Click here to pre-order through iTunes

Complete Tracklist:

1. Overture
2. Two Strong Hearts
3. Let Me Be There
4. Xanadu
5. I Honestly Love You
6. Tenterfield Saddler
7. No One Comes Close
8. Love To Shine
9. Suddenly
10. Dare To Dream
11. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
12. Burn For You
13. Hit The Road Jack/Fever
14. You’re The One That I Want
15. Summer Nights
16. Hearts On Fire
17. If Not For You
18. Every Time You Cry
19. Physical
20. You’re The Voice
21. It’s A Long Way To The Top (If You Want To Rock ’N’ Roll)

Watch the teaser video from TWO STRONG HEARTS LIVE below:

Olivia Newton-John & John Farnham – TWO STRONG HEARTS LIVE CD from Randy Slovacek on Vimeo.

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Missing My Dear Rona Newton-John

I originally posted this two years ago when my dear, fun loving friend Rona Newton-John passed away on Memorial Day 2013 from a diagnosis of brain cancer.

I miss her laugh and smile all the time.

Today, Olivia Newton-John shared a painting of Rona (see above) by her longtime bestie Pat Farrar. It makes me smile to see Rona’s spirit captured so beautifully.

******************************************************

My dear, beautiful Rona. You are instantly missed.  But will smile in my heart forever.

“Goody, goody.”

Rona Newton-John, Michael and I backstage

Rona being Rona 🙂

With Olivia, Michael, Gregg Cave and Rona after Olivia judged the
“You’re The One That We Want” reality talent show

In the studio while Olivia and Rona recorded “Mickey” for the
“A Few Best Men” soundtrack

Olivia, Michael and Rona taping a TV special

Rona, Michael, Olivia, Jon Secada and Amy Sky in Washington DC for
Christmas at Fords Theatre TV Special

Pat Farrar, Olivia, Michael, Rona and I backstage in Las Vegas

Rona, Michael and Olivia on set for the “Sordid Lives” TV series
Rona and I at Christmas party in 2011
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DVD: Rebel Wilson & Olivia Newton-John – A FEW BEST MEN

Thrilled to see A FEW BEST MEN finally get a DVD and On-Demand release here in the USA.

I got to attend the world premiere a couple of years ago in Australia and thoroughly enjoyed it. Olivia Newton-John breaks out of “good girl” mode and gives her funniest performance to date.

And, of course, PITCH PERFECT star Rebel Wilson never disappoints. Plus, side men Xavier Samuel and Kevin Bishop are hysterical at those “best men.”

Rebel Wilson (Pitch Perfect) and Olivia Newton-John (Grease) deliver massive laughs in this wickedly funny comedy about supporting your best friends “for better or for worse.”

When David unexpectedly gets engaged during a whirlwind vacation, his best friends are determined to send him off into married life in signature style.

But when they arrive in Australia for the ceremony, the nuptial plans go from bad to worse as the guys discover that unpredictable relatives, a cross-dressing sheep and a deranged drug dealer don’t necessarily add up to a match made in heaven.

It’s going to be a day no one will forget in this hilarious film also starring Laura Brent (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader), Xavier Samuel (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2), Kris Marshall (Love Actually) and Kevin Bishop (Muppet Treasure Island).

Available May 5th.

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So This Happened Last Night

Me with Sia at the Flamingo Las Vegas

Can you imagine?

Last night, huge pop star Sia attended Olivia Newton-John’s sold out “Summer Nights” concert at the Flamingo Las Vegas. And I had the chance to meet her backstage!

I’m a big fan of hers. And she is a BIG fan of Olivia’s. So, it all worked out great, huh?

Sia has a “no touring” policy. But that isn’t keeping her from getting offers to do so. And apparently huge offers. So, she’s recently stated that she might consider touring… IF.

What if? This if: “I don’t care about doing it so I’ll throw the most ludicrous idea out and say say ‘I’ll do a live show if you can get Olivia Newton-John to perform with me’, because that’s my childhood dream.”

And so, there she was last night, dancing throughout the concert to all those ONJ hits. And then afterward, she came backstage to meet her idol.

Very, very cool night 🙂

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The Number One Album 40 Years Ago Today

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00000DAZ0/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B00000DAZ0&linkCode=as2&tag=onlinestorelink-20&linkId=4TA3SKAFILEVFZGZ

Olivia Newton-John’s Have You Never Been Mellow was the number one album in the US forty years ago today. It was her 2nd consecutive number one album.  A week before, the first single from the album (same title) had hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

I recall my dad coming home from a trip to Las Vegas (where I now live) and he’d seen this great new singer. She appeared on The Tonight Show shortly thereafter and I can remember standing in front of our TV as he urged us listen to the gorgeous blond named Olivia Newton-John.

How funny that years later I would call Olivia a friend and have the opportunity to work with her.

Life is funny.

When my husband Michael started working with her many years ago in the 90s, I was surprised that much of the world discovered her through her mega-hit movie, GREASE. I’d been a fan of her music for so many years before GREASE that it was hard to believe folks didn’t know her earlier music, which to this day is some of my favorite.

Here latest album, Summer Nights – Live In Las Vegas, is a complete recording of her sold-out concert residency at the Flamingo Las Vegas.

But for now, let’s go back in time and remember when folks were just getting to know the fab talent that is Olivia Newton-John.