Born in Cambridge, England in 1948, the youngest child of Professor Brin Newton-John and Irene, daughter of Nobel Prize winning physicist, Max Born, Olivia moved to Melbourne, Australia with her family when she was five. By the age of fifteen, she had formed an all-girl group called Sol Four. Later that year she won a talent contest on the popular tv show, Sing, Sing, Sing, hosted by Johnny OKeefe, which earned her a trip to London. By 1963, Olivia was appearing on local daytime TV shows and weekly pop music programs in Australia. It was on the Go Show, where she met her lifelong friends, Pat Carroll and John Farrar. The following year she headed to London, where she was joined by her friend Pat (who later married John Farrar). They toured Europe as a double act, playing nightclubs and American service bases until Pats visa ran out and forced her to return to Australia. Olivia cut her first single for Decca Records in 1966, a version of Jackie DeShannons "Till You Say Youll Be Mine." In 1971, Bruce Welch of The Shadows co-produced her cover of Bob Dylans "If Not For You," with her Australian friend, producer/songwriter, John Farrar, who she continues to collaborate with today.
Her 1973 U.S. album debut, "Let Me Be There," on MCA Records produced her first top ten single of the same name, with Olivia being honored by the Academy Of Country Music as Most Promising Female Vocalist and a Grammy Award as Best Country Vocalist. This proved to be only the beginning of a very exciting career. Her countless successes include three more Grammys, numerous Country Music Awards, American Music Awards and Peoples Choice Awards, five ..1 hits including Physical, which topped the charts for ten consecutive weeks, and 15 top 10 singles. In 1978, her co-starring role with John Travolta in Grease catapulted Olivia into super-stardom. This film led to the production of the most successful movie musical soundtrack in history, featuring the duets "Youre The One That I Want" and "Summer Nights," with Travolta, as well as her mega-hit, "Hopelessly Devoted To You." The film was re-released worldwide in 1998 in celebration of its 20th anniversary to even more acclaim, a true testament to its timeless quality. Her other film credits include "Xanadu," "Two Of A Kind," "Its My Party, and recently the independent feature, Sordid Lives. She followed that success, by co-starring with her daughter, Chloe, in the Showtime movie, The Wilde Girls. Clearly following in her mothers footsteps, Chloe has performed on stage with Olivia during her last two tours.
Olivias public appeal has proved to be equally timeless. Her career has spanned more than three decades and she is still a vibrant, creative individual that is adored by fans across the world. Throughout her career, the much-loved star, who danced with Gene Kelly in Xanadu, hosted the popular internationally syndicated Wild Life television show, was bestowed an O.B.E. (Order Of The British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth in 1979, has held many humanitarian causes close to her heart, particularly since the birth of her daughter Chloe in 1986. She served as Goodwill Ambassador to the United Nations Environment Programme and in 1991, the Colette Chuda Environmental Fund/CHEC (Childrens Health Environ-mental Coalition) was founded after the tragic death of Chloes best friend from a rare childhood cancer, with Olivia serving as National Spokesperson for ten years. Her steadfast devotion and shared commitment to CHECs mission and goals enabled the organization to receive worldwide attention and support.CHECnet.org .
Her charmed life has not been without its share of upset. In the 90s, Olivia successfully overcame her own battle with breast cancer, which inspired her self-penned and produced album, GAIA, her most personal album reflecting upon her experiences with cancer. She used these experiences to gain greater self-awareness and became a positive inspiration to millions of people battling cancer. As a breast cancer survivor, Olivia has become increasingly well known and respected for talking openly about her battle with breast cancer and for promoting public awareness of the importance of early detection. Her personal victory against cancer led her to announce her partnership with the Austin & Repatriation Medical Centre and the creation of the
(ONJCC) Olivia Newton-John Cancer Centreon the Austin Campus in her hometown, Melbourne, Australia. The ONJCC will provide a comprehensive range of services and facilities for cancer treatment, education, training and research. (For more information visit www.armc.org.au.) Olivia continues to give back to the community generously and has been acknowledged many times by charitable and environmental organizations for her ongoing efforts, among them: the American Red Cross, the Environmental Media Association, the Womens Guild of Cedars Sinai Medical Center, the Rainforest Alliance and Concept Cure.
In 1999, with the release of her album, "Back With A Heart," Olivia garnered an Emmy Award for her songwriting and returned to work as a performer touring extensively in the United States for the first time in seventeen years. In the new millennium, her international recognition has continued to grow. She was invited by the Vatican on behalf of Pope John Paul II to perform at the Jubilee Celebration for the Sick and Healthcare Workers. Olivia was thrilled to sing the duet, Dare to Dream with fellow Australian John Farnham at the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney 2000 Olympics to an estimated global viewing audience of four billion people. Adding to this Olympic experience is what Olivia feels is one of her most memorable moments - the honor of carrying the Olympic Torch and then passing it to tennis legend, Pat Rafter, on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, during the Olympic Torch Relay.
In 2000/2001, Olivia released her only live album, "One Womans Live Journey," followed by Magic - The Very Best of Olivia Newton-John, which celebrated thirty years of recording. And if that wasnt enough, she also released her first holiday album, The Christmas Collection. In 2002, Olivia was inducted into the prestigious Australian Music Hall Of Fame at the 16th Annual Aria Awards. Her passion for Australia was proven once again when Olivia recently reunited with friend and business partner Pat Farrar to launch their distinctly Australian wines under the iconic homegrown brand
Koala Blue
, to proudly bring the taste of Australia to the rest of the world. Her current cd, simply titled, 2, was recorded in 2002 in Australia and features a host of talented Ozzies along with a couple of her american friends (honorary Ozzies!) and is quickly garnering international acclaim. With her current international tour, ongoing projects and philanthropic endeavors, Olivias worldwide popularity is as strong as ever!
This page is a dedication to Olivia and her music and is not maintained by Olivia..
TOUR DATES:
October 11, 2006 - Sioux City, IA
Orpheum Theatre
www.orpheumlive.com
October 12, 2006 - Columbia, MO
University Concert Series
www.concertseries.org - Tickets from website
October 13, 2006 - Aurora, IL
Paramount Arts Center
www.paramountarts.com
October 14, 2006 - Louisville, KY
details to be confirmed
October 26, 2006 - Lowell, MA
Lowell Auditorium
www.lowellauditorium.com - Tickets from Ticketmaster
October 28, 2006 - New Brunswick, NJ
State Theatre
www.statetheatrenj.org
October 29, 2006 - Red Bank, NJ
Count Basie Theare
www.countbasietheatre.org - Tickets from venue
November 2, 2006 - Shippensburg, PA
Shippensburg University
November 3, 2006 - Atlantic City, NJ
Harrah's Casino Hotel
www.harrahs.com
November 8, 2006 - Westbury, Long Island, NY
Westbury Music Fair
www.musicfair.com - Tickets from Ticketmaster
November 9, 2006 - Morristown, NJ
Community Theatre
www.communitytheatrenj.com
Nov 10 & 11, 2006 - Niagara Falls, ON, Canada
Niagara Fallsview Casino
November 29, 2006 - Jacksonville, FL
Florida Theatre
http://www.floridatheatre.com
November 30, 2006 - Fort Myers, FL
Barbara B. Mann Hall
http://www.bbmannpah.com
December 1, 2006 - Melbourne, FL
Maxwell C. King Center
http://www.kingcenter.com
December 2, 2006 - Miami, FL
Miami Performing Arts Center
http://www.miamipac.org - Tickets from Ticketmaster
December 4, 2006 - Clearwater, FL
Ruth Eckerd Hall
http://www.rutheckerdhall.com
December 8, 2006 -Biloxi, MS
Beau Rivage
http://www.beaurivage.com - Tickets from venue
December 9, 2006 - Tunica, MS
Grand Casino
http://www.grandtunica.com
