Tag: Olivia Newton-John

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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.

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Documentary: Video Killed The Radio Star – Olivia Newton-John

This 2011 documentary, hosted by director Brian Grant and Olivia Newton-John, looks back at some of Olivia’s most famous music videos such as Physical, Silvery Rain, Stranger’s Touch, Twist of Fate, Livin’ in Desperate Times and Shaking You.

Grant (who directed all these clips) and Olivia talk about their on-set experiences and discuss how the videos impacted Liv’s career.

Really interesting to hear how some choices were made and why; some technical things you may not even think about. For instance, in the video for Twist of Fate Olivia wore all black on an entirely black set. So to keep her from looking like a “floating head” she wore a silver necklace to help her stand out without losing the sexy black look of the video.

Plus, great highlights from all those terrific music videos.

Very interesting to watch. Happy Sunday!

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Olivia Newton-John, Ariana Grande, Demi Lovato To Guest Judge On RuPaul’s Drag Race

RuPaul has shared a list of celebrity guest judges for the upcoming season of RuPaul’s Drag Race have been announced, and what a line-up it is.

Olivia Newton-John, Jessica Alba, Mel B, Demi Lovato, John Waters, Kathy Griffin, Jordin Sparks, Michael Urie and Rebecca Romijn are all slated to appear in the new season beginning March 3rd on Logo Network.

In addition to the guest star power, Ru brings in new judges – Queer Eye fashion expert Carson Kressley and Ross Matthews.

Executive Producer RuPaul had this to say about the new judges: “Yes, Virginia, there is a gay Santa Claus! I asked for a new, wickedly funny, smart and experienced judge…and I got two! Ross and Carson are the perfect addition to the ‘RuPaul’s Drag Race’ family because they’re not just show biz experts, they’re superfans and longtime lovers of the art of drag.”

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GREASE Reunion In Las Vegas – Didi Conn Onstage With Olivia Newton-John

Saturday night, actress Didi Conn, who played “Frenchie” in the hit movie Grease, reunited with Olivia Newton-John on stage during her show at Flamingo Las Vegas, where together they sang “Summer Nights.”

Slipping back into a Pink Ladies jacket, Didi delighted the audience and brought them to their feet in a rousing standing ovation.

Following the show, Didi went backstage to visit and take photos with Olivia.

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Las Vegas: Olivia Newton-John Extends Concert Residency Through September 2015

Fans have spoken and Olivia Newton-John is definitely “the one that they want!” Due to the success of her highly popular “Summer Nights” residency, Flamingo Las Vegas has announced that the show will be extended through Sept. 2015. Performing inside the Donny & Marie Showroom, the beloved internationally-renowned singer-actress will continue to take audiences on a musical journey through her life in film and music next year.

“It has been amazing to be able to call Las Vegas home for the past year, and I look forward to performing at Flamingo Las Vegas for another year,” says Olivia. “I am thankful to the fans who have come from all over the world to see the show, as a portion of every ticket sold benefits the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre. In the past year alone we have raised thousands of dollars for the Wellness Programs which help people going through their cancer journey.”

When asked what she’s enjoyed about the past year headlining in Las Vegas, Olivia had this to say:

Being in the same bed every night instead of traveling. Having consistency of a wonderful crew. I’ve got my own soundmen, so it’s always the same. I’ve never had a routine before. This time I’m getting picked up, and I go to work and it’s wonderful.

When you’re touring, you’re on a bus, you’re on a plane, and it’s different every day. There’s excitement in that, but it’s much more wearing than being in one place. I like being here, and now I’m here for next year.

It has been amazing to be able to call Las Vegas home for the past year, and I look forward to performing at Flamingo Las Vegas for another year. I am thankful to the fans who have come from all over the world to see the show.

A portion of every ticket sold benefits the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Center. In the past year alone, we have raised thousands of dollars for the Wellness Program, which helps people going through their cancer journey.

A special pre-sale will be available to American Express cardholders, Total Rewards members (the loyalty program of the Flamingo’s parent company Caesars Entertainment) and official Olivia Newton-John and Flamingo Las Vegas Facebook page fans starting Wednesday, Dec. 10 at 10 a.m. PT.   The password for the pre-sale is TRONJ3.

The following dates will go on sale to the public on Friday, Dec. 12 at 10 a.m. PT:

March: 3 – 7, 10 – 14, 17 – 21
May: 26 – 30
June: 2 – 6 , 9 – 13
July: 7 -11, 14 – 18 , 21 – 25
Aug.: 4 – 8, 11 – 15, 18 – 22
Sept.: 1 – 5, 8 – 12

In addition, tickets can still be purchased to the following previously-announced performances:

Dec.: 9 – 13, 30, 31
Jan.: 1 – 3

To purchase tickets, click here.

(via press release)

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Breast Cancer Campaign Featuring Aussie All-star Cast Wins Public Service Award

From Billboard:

A breast cancer awareness campaign featuring the late Chrissy Amphlett’s “I Touch Myself” performed by an all-star Aussie cast has won a major U.S award.

The #itouchmyselfproject, commissioned by Cancer Council NSW and created by Soap Creative, has taken out the Gold Award for Public Service campaign at the Interactive Advertising Bureau’s (IAB) 10th annual MIXX Awards in New York.

The campaign launched in April with a reworking of the iconic song by 10 of Australia’s best-known female artists, including breast cancer survivor Olivia Newton-John, ARIA female artist of the year winners Sarah Blasko and Megan Washington, Baby Animals singer Suze DeMarchi, and ARIA Hall of Fame inductee Little Pattie, who is Amphlett’s cousin.

“I Touch Myself” was originally a hit in the early ’90s for alternative rock outfit the Divinyls, whose impressive lead singer Amphlett died from breast cancer at the age of 53 in April 2013. A mammogram and ultrasound failed to initially detect the disease. It was only when she self-examined that she returned to the doctor to insist on a biopsy, which in 2010 revealed the cancer.

The single is available on iTunes.