Olivia Newton-John, one of the most prominent singers of the 1970s and 80s, holds a special place in our hearts.
Worldwide, fans were hopelessly devoted to her voice. And we can’t ignore her impact on American culture. But did you know that she’s also a dame?
The story of her life is one touched by tragedy and a bit of mystery. Today, we’re taking a closer look at Dame Olivia Newton-John.
Let’s get physical!
The Story of Olivia Newton-John
Despite being known for her role in the 1978 American musical film Grease, co-starring John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John is actually British. Born in 1948 to a former MI5 officer, she spent her early years in Cambridge, England. But in 1954, her father took a job in Melbourne, Australia, as a German professor.
Surrounded by the arts growing up, she pursued a career at 14 when she formed an all-girl group. While they never broke out of the coffee shop circuit, Newton-John did realize that music was her path. In high school, she also started acting, which took her further. For several years, she portrayed Lovely Livvy on Australian television’s The Happy Show.
In 1965, she won a talent contest, Sing, Sing, Sing, and the prize was a trip to Great Britain. She didn’t want to go initially, but the journey changed her life.
Once in England, she formed a duo with her friend Pat Carroll, who came over from Australia as well. After playing around the country, Carroll left, and Oliva stayed behind. Newton-John’s first successful album, If Not For You, came out in 1971 and contained a title track by Bob Dylan. Then, from this lofty height, she rose even higher.
After a few tough years on the charts, she represented the UK in the 1974 Eurovision Contest. Singing Long Live Love, she was fourth behind ABBA’s Waterloo.
Speaking of Australia: These are our picks for The Greatest Australian Songwriters.
A Change of Pace
Rather than focus on pop music, she directed her attention to a different genre. At the Country Music Awards in the US, she won Female Vocalist of the Year. Although local fans protested, she used that momentum to move to America. Her career continued at a moderate pace until something thrilling happened.
With the release of Grease in 1978, Olivia Newton-John became a household name in her adopted country. Capitalizing on the film’s success, she released an album of hits. She became the second woman in history to have two songs on the Billboard Top 5 simultaneously.
After that, she stayed at the top of the charts with her records Physical and Olivia’s Greatest Hits Vol. 2. But by the mid-1980s, she aged out of the bubblegum pop that dominated the charts.
She took a three-year break after the birth of her daughter Chloe and then struggled to find commercial success for the rest of her career.
Olivia Newton-John’s Best-Known Songs
Olivia Newton-John’s music is often the one we want when soft rock is on the menu. With content spanning from spicy to lovey-dovey, these are a few fan favorites.
Physical
After a career defined by her good-girl image, Newton-John wanted to change the public’s perception of her. When Terry Shaddick and Steve Kipner wrote the tune, they had a macho Rod Stewart-type in mind. But when she heard it, she knew it was time to leap. With a soaring guitar solo by Steve Lukather of Toto and a steamy video, Physical was a hit.
It stayed at number one for ten weeks starting in November of 1981. Fans and critics all agree that this is one of her best songs.
Magic
When the film Xanadu came out in 1980, it was a flop. But the soundtrack had several tunes on it that made waves. The movie is notable because it was Gene Kelly’s last screen appearance. It also inspired the Golden Raspberry Awards for the worst movie of the year.
Magic comes from the perspective of Kira, the muse Olivia played. She’s encouraging Sonny, the movie’s star, to pursue his dream of opening a nightclub. As a dreamy pop ballad, it rose to number one on the charts in the US.
You’re the One That I Want
The finale from the 1978 film Grease, this tune is one of the most popular songs she ever released. It’s one of the best-selling singles in history, with over four million copies sold worldwide.
Based on the Broadway musical of the same name, the story follows Sandy and her former summer-lovin’ boy-toy, Danny.
You’re the One That I Want is a joyful, upbeat romp that brings the characters together in the end. Upon its release, it earned the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.
How Did Olivia Newton-John Become a Dame?
Tragically, in 1992, Newton-John was diagnosed with breast cancer the same week her father died. During her recovery, she became an advocate for research into the illness. She used her influence as a celebrity to shed light on this and other causes.
After her recovery, she dedicated many of her recordings to charitable organizations. She served as the spokesperson for several cancer societies and, in 2008, opened a clinic in Melbourne, Australia. To raise funds, she led a three-week survivors’ walk along the Great Wall of China.
Then, in 2020, the UK government honored her as a Dame of the British Empire for her work.
Do you know: Are Dolly Parton’s Breasts Real?
Did Olivia Newton-John’s Ex Fake His Own Death?
One chapter in Olivia Newton-John’s life that’s still open is the case of her ex-boyfriend. Patrick McDermott had an ongoing relationship with her for several years before one fateful night.
On June 30, 2005, he was on a fishing expedition off the coast of California. The boat left for a 22-hour trip, and when it returned to port, he wasn’t on board.
It wasn’t until almost a week later that family members reported him missing. And while there’s widespread speculation that he faked his death, it’s never been confirmed. Investigators tracked someone they claim was McDermott to Puerto Vallarta in 2010.
Allegedly living under his birth name, Pat Kim, he’s alive and well.
However, his ex-wife, Yvette Nipar, disagrees. She claims the investigator is a serial liar and hasn’t provided proof of life.
Whether he’s alive and hiding in Mexico or at the bottom of the ocean, there’s never been a definitive answer.
What Happened to Olivia Newton-John?
While Newton-John continued recording and advocating for cancer research, she announced a relapse in 2017. Doctors initially wrote off her mysterious lower back pain as sciatica, but it turned out to be something much worse.
Her breast cancer had spread to her back, leading to bone cancer. She revealed it was the third time her disease had returned, and it proved to be fatal.
On August 8, 2022, Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away at 73 in her home in California. A private family funeral was followed by a state funeral in Australia in February 2023. Tributes poured in from John Travolta, Barbra Streisand, Elton John, and Nicole Kidman, among others.
She was much-loved by the music and film communities, and fans still feel her impact today.
Read or listen to her biography: Don’t Stop Believin’.
The Show Must Go On
Dame Olivia Newton-John had a hugely successful career before she turned to advocacy work in the 1990s. In addition to starring in films like Grease and Xanadu, she was one of the most influential female recording artists of the 20th century. More than a performer, she dedicated most of her life to helping other cancer survivors.
Her songs wove their way into the fabric of American culture and won’t soon fade away.
We’d love to hear whether you thought she was better on stage or on the silver screen. Let us know in the comments!