RIP Olivia Newton-John

 You didn’t have to be there in the 70's to fully appreciate Olivia Newton-John.  But it didn’t hurt. And I was there.  It was the era of American Top 40, and I grew up on AM radio, where acts like Newton-John became legends.  Critics weren't kind to her at that time, but she and others from that era (Barry Manilow, John Denver) outlasted their barbs and garnered some late-career respect.

 The Olivia Newton-John who first hit the charts wasn't the same one after Grease made her an even bigger star.  Her early hits were wistful Country-Pop gems.  But Grease changed her image.  Her records after that movie mostly ditched the Country-Pop leanings of her early days for a more modern upbeat Pop sound. 

  Her hit-making days were over by the end of the 80's, even though she continued to release records.  But she became a beloved figure for her courageous battle with breast cancer.  Grease continues to be seen by millions of new viewers decades after its 1978 premiere.  And with the generation that grew up with her in the 70's now older too, her musical career got a welcome dose of respect. Happily, she survived her initial cancer diagnosis long enough to enjoy all these accolades. 

Some of my favorite Olivia songs:

A Little More Love

Banks of the Ohio

Best Of My Love

Come On Over

Cotton Jenny (w/Anne Murray)

Deeper Than The Night

Don't Stop Believin'

Fly Away (w/John Denver)

Have You Never Been Mellow

Heart Attack

Hopelessly Devoted To You

I Can't Help It (w/Andy Gibb)

I Honestly Love You

If You Love Me

If Not For You

Let Me Be There

Look At Me I'm Sandra Dee

Magic

Make A Move On Me

Physical

Please Mr. Please

Rest Your Love On Me (w/Barry Gibb & w/Andy Gibb)

Sam

Soul Kiss

Suddenly (w/Cliff Richard)

Summer Nights (w/John Travolta)

The Promise (The Dolphin Song)

The Rumour

To Be Wanted

Twist Of Fate

Xanadu (w/ELO)

You're The One That I Want (w/John Travolta)

Recommended Albums:

Come On Over (1976)

Grease Soundtrack (1978)

Have You Never Been Mellow (1975)

If You Love Me, Let Me Know (1974)

Let Me Be There (1973)

Physical (1981)

Totally Hot (1978)

Xanadu Soundtrack (1980)