Tag: Olivia Newton-John

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Olivia interview on blackbookmag.com

From blackbookmag.com:

This weekend, I set my sights on interviewing Olivia Newton-John.

She was playing a Josh Woods and FornabaioVoss Events blowout on Governors Island saturday night. Some very helpful people over at Big Machine Media (shout out to Jessica Berek) came to my assistance, hooking me up with Olivia’s person, Michael Caprio. I didn’t even have to grovel much or say things like “Please Mr. Please,” or “You’re The One That I Want,” or “I’m Hopelessly Devoted To You,” or go so far as to invoke “I Honestly Love You.” They worked really hard to get me this interview, and Michael Caprio, I got to believe that you are “Magic.” It had to be over the phone, but I was going to talk to Olivia Newton-John and I, who never gets flabbergasted, was star struck and awe struck at the opportunity.

The phone screamed and it was Michael Caprio: “Could you do Olivia in 8 minutes?” As a thousand OMGs bounced around inside my head, I ran to a deli, got a pen and pad, and called back. I exchanged “hey’s” ‘hello’s” and “where are you’s” with the legendary singer/actress/activist. She knew I was blushing and bumbling and was as sweet, helpful, and fun as can be. She was on a ferry having just finished sound check. A police helicopter hovering directly over my head wouldn’t allow me to get it right. The copter moved as I did and I felt a little like Henry Hill from Goodfellas. Everyone knows I have “Never Been Mellow,” and I must have been a sight yelling at the sky on one of these “Summer Nights.”

I headed to Williamsburg and straight to Graceland tattoo and salon for some advice on what questions to ask. They know Olivia over at Graceland and “Let’s Get Physical” was playing as I entered. They were all busy inking and cutting and I knew I had come to the right place. “What should I ask her?” I implored. Everyone knows the history…Grease, a zillion big records, Xanadu. Everyone chimed in, including the customers. After a couple dozen “I can’t ask her that’s,” a question I could actually dare to ask came forth.

Click here for the interview.

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Pics: Olivia Newton-John at NYC Gay Pride 2011

Saturday night, June 25th, 2011, Olivia Newton-John celebrated NYC Gay Pride AND marriage equality with the LGBT community at the “Bondi Beach” event on Governor’s Island.

She dedicated the new version of her mega-hit “Magic” to the LGBT community who, due to the new marriage equality law passed in New York state one night before, can now marry the person they love.

“I have many gay friends that I love and care about, and I am so happy that they can now share their lives with their chosen loved ones and be afforded the same rights as other married couples.”

The sales of the new version of “Magic” benefit the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre – download it here on iTunes.

See below for pics of the event:

Olivia with the event producers Tony Fornabaio & Brandon Voss

Leaving the event, while on the ferry back to Manhattan, Olivia jumped out of her car
to take a picture with members of the NYPD
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Video: Olivia Newton-John soundcheck for NYC Pride Event “Bondi Beach” on Governor’s Island

I just got this emailed to me and thought I’d share this clip of Olivia Newton-John doing a bit of sound check of “Magic” for her appearance tonight at the NYC Gay Pride “Bondi Beach” event.  I like Olivia starts to dance a bit as the camera pans to the view.

You can download the new version of her mega-hit “Magic” from iTunes – click here. ALL proceeds go to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre.

Sorry so short – it was all I got.  Emailing videos is a bit tough from an iPhone you know…

The view from the stage and dance area looks like it will be amazing for the event tonight. You can see where they are in the process of putting palm trees in place on the stage for that “beach” feel.

Weather’s finally cleared up – and with marriage equality having just passed last night in NY state I imagine there are some folks ready to dance tonight!

Olivia starting soundcheck onstage

View from the event dance floor

Event info: Saturday, June 25th @ 6:00pm // Bondi Beach on Governors Island. With Olivia Newton John, DJ Phil Romano and DJ Hector Romero. Governor’s Island, NYC.

Olivia will be singing about three dance songs (including the new remix of “Magic”) during the evening for some happy folks tonight. In addition to Olivia, the party features two of the best DJs in the business. Go out and have a good time kids!

For more information, please visit: www.fvevents.com.

Olivia and John at the Bondi Beach event in NYC – how about the view?
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ONJ: Adelaide Festival Round-up

From Aussietheatre.com: “Welcomed by standing ovations which continued throughout the 90 minute show, the first thing you realise about this dynamic woman who has publicly battled cancer, been a guest on Glee and worn a spandex leotard in public and lived to tell the tale, she has stamina. Any artist who can get an entire crowd on their feet, getting “physical” should be applauded and Newton-John was evidently appreciated. “

“Even the most cynical of audience members was bound to have left the theatre humming the songs and swept up in the star power. Although not quite cabaret (even if you do throw in quick rendition of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’), Olivia Newton John was certainly a headlining class act.”

From The Australian: “A sparklingly in-form Olivia Newton-John sent her audience into raptures at the opening weekend of the 11th Adelaide Cabaret Festival. The event’s headline performer made her long-awaited homecoming to Australia after an extended period overseas in a show of uplifting spirit, energy and generosity.”

“Looking trim and sprite in a sequined black outfit, she showed that she was thoroughly recharged and her voice is as fresh as ever. Her youthfully high range remains intact, her rhythmic timing is impeccable and she crosses styles from rock and pop to country with alacrity.”

“But it was Newton-John’s inclusion of newer songs on themes of personal survival that made the performance special. Grace and Gratitude from 2006 and the tender Help Me To Heal, revealed a woman of great stamina, optimism and heart. It was transfixing, and proved how our Olivia continues to shine as bright as ever as one of Australia’s most indelible musical jewels.”

From smh.com.au: “Newton-John’s concert may have been more country, pop and rock than cabaret but it hardly mattered given the outpouring of love in the room. “

“Essentially a collection of popular songs, including Suddenly and Let Me Be There, and such enduring hits as Xanadu and a suitably pumped-up Physical, the show was a reminder of how multi-faceted and evergreen a career it has been. “

“Remarkably, Newtown-John retains the girl-next-door sweetness that helped make her a star and the resilience, faith and grace that only comes with age. The performance concluded with her signature tune I Honestly Love You penned by Peter Allen. But this was no pat ending. Beautifully arranged and sung, it was genuinely touching and sounded better than ever. On this celebratory night we may have been revelling in nostalgia but everyone was on their feet and having a ball.”

From AdelaideNow.com: “Last night the Australian singing superstar showed us she’s still the one we want. The evergreen export who’s taken Australia to the world brought her world back to Adelaide in a stunning concert at the Festival Theatre.”

“Looking slinky and sensational in a shimmering black outfit, Newton-John won the crowd over with the things that have made her a special performer: a beautiful voice, a natural personality and a massive heart that reached out to everyone lucky enough to be there. “

“Starting with standards like Little More Love and Sam, she revealed all the qualities that have made her a star of undiminished glow.”

“One of the many highlights was a song called Heal Me, an anthem to the many people facing the challenge of cancer and to help raise awareness for her wellbeing centre in Melbourne.”

“Newton-John then unleashed a collection of her classic up-tempo numbers that set pulses racing and showed she knows how to rock with the best of them.”

“Clad in a leather jacket and pants, David Campbell joined Newton-John in a raunchy rendition of You’re the One that I Want. She then sang Totally Devoted to You and ended the night with her signature tune I Honestly Love You.”

“And so do we, Olivia.”

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A third terrific ONJ review for Adelaide Festival

From smh.com.au: Two years ago Broadway diva Bernadette Peters got the torch song ball rolling for Campbell and his producer wife Lisa’s first cabaret festival.

Last year the honour went to Natalie Cole and, in a further change of pace, Newton-John’s concert may have been more country, pop and rock than cabaret but it hardly mattered given the outpouring of love in the room.

Essentially a collection of popular songs, including Suddenly and Let Me Be There, and such enduring hits as Xanadu and a suitably pumped-up Physical, the show was a reminder of how multi-faceted and evergreen a career it has been.

Backed by a tight band of US musicians and the consummate Adelaide Art Orchestra, the energy level and raunch factor lifted when the singer was joined on stage by Campbell for a rousing and playful You’re the One That I Want followed by a delightfully poised Hopelessly Devoted to You. One thing is certain – and the kids from Glee are right on track – Grease is still most definitely ”the word”.

Remarkably, Newtown-John retains the girl-next-door sweetness that helped make her a star and the resilience, faith and grace that only comes with age. The performance concluded with her signature tune I Honestly Love You penned by Peter Allen. But this was no pat ending. Beautifully arranged and sung, it was genuinely touching and sounded better than ever. On this celebratory night we may have been revelling in nostalgia but everyone was on their feet and having a ball.

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Recharged Olivia Newton-John lifts the spirits

From The Australian: A sparklingly in-form Olivia Newton-John sent her audience into raptures at the opening weekend of the 11th Adelaide Cabaret Festival. The event’s headline performer made her long-awaited homecoming to Australia after an extended period overseas in a show of uplifting spirit, energy and generosity.

Looking trim and sprite in a sequined black outfit, she showed that she was thoroughly recharged and her voice is as fresh as ever. Her youthfully high range remains intact, her rhythmic timing is impeccable and she crosses styles from rock and pop to country with alacrity.

Early chart-toppers including Have You Ever Been Mellow, a swag of numbers from Grease, and a laid-back selection of country music songs made for a varied, well-rounded performance that was backed impressively by her own band and the Adelaide Art Orchestra.

But it was Newton-John’s inclusion of newer songs on themes of personal survival that made the performance special. Grace and Gratitude from 2006 and the tender Help Me To Heal, from her Grace And Gratitude Renewed album, revealed a woman of great stamina, optimism and heart. The cancer survivor shared very movingly with her audience the enormously positive spirit that has seen her prevail over hardship.

Cabaret is not her natural bag, but she slipped into this with success too in a memorably languid, breathy version of Over the Rainbow accompanied just by piano. It was transfixing, and proved how our Olivia continues to shine as bright as ever as one of Australia’s most indelible musical jewels.

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Rave review for Olivia Newton-John at Adelaide Festival

From AdelaideNow.com: FLANKED by sequinned and feathered friends, an elated Olivia Newton-John was clearly back in Xanadu as the Adelaide Cabaret Festival opened in flamboyant style.

And last night the Australian singing superstar showed us she’s still the one we want.

The evergreen export who’s taken Australia to the world brought her world back to Adelaide in a stunning concert at the Festival Theatre.

Looking slinky and sensational in a shimmering black outfit, Newton-John won the crowd over with the things that have made her a special performer: a beautiful voice, a natural personality and a massive heart that reached out to everyone lucky enough to be there.

Starting with standards like Little More Love and Sam, she revealed all the qualities that have made her a star of undiminished glow.

She crossed back to the ’70s for Xanadu, singing a range of hits from Magic to Suddenly and the universally loved title track.

The first sequin jacket came off when she launched into a country selection of the hits that made her such a big star in the US, from Jolene to Let Me Be There and Don’t Stop Believing.

She sat with a posse of her backing singers and guitarists to give that country comfort to the massive crowd.

Then she got Physical and soon had the crowd pumping and on their feet clapping while she showed she had lost none of her energy or ability to work an audience.

Cracking jokes and sipping tea between songs, she showed all the fame and misfortune hadn’t changed the person she is.

One of the many highlights was a song called Heal Me, an anthem to the many people facing the challenge of cancer and to help raise awareness for her wellbeing centre in Melbourne.

Having beaten breast cancer 15 years ago, her heartfelt emotions made it one of the more moving moments in this outstanding show.

Newton-John then unleashed a collection of her classic up-tempo numbers that set pulses racing and showed she knows how to rock with the best of them.

She then delivered her “cabaret” song, a touching rendition of the Judy Garland classic, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, with a voice that took us all where the bluebirds fly.

Then there was John Denver’s Country Roads, filling the auditorium with smiles.

After that, it was on to Grease, the movie that made her an international star and the biggest surprise of the night, when festival artistic director David Campbell appeared.

Clad in a leather jacket and pants, he joined Newton-John in a raunchy rendition of You’re the One that I Want. She then sang Totally Devoted to You and ended the night with her signature tune I Honestly Love You and so do we, Olivia.