Tag: Olivia Newton-John

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Vale Olivia Newton-John

My Dad only calls before 9 if it’s really important. He called me before 9 today to let me know Olivia Newton-John had passed away. He knew this one would hit, because he was the one that taped “Grease” off the TV onto a Beta tape and was around when I played that movie every single day after school, for weeks. And he probably heard me singing this song at top note in our backyard, channelling “our Livvy.”

I thought she was the most beautiful person I’d ever seen. And she was an Aussie! She was such a part of my formative years. I always admired the way she carried herself, the way she helped others despite her own ongoing health battles, the way she was such a proud Aussie ambassador on the world stage. Looking at my Facebook feed this morning, it was heartening to see what an immense impression she made on so many people I knew too. What a legacy. Vale Olivia Newton-John.

Image source: FESTIVALDEVINACHILE/Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

“Friends for Christmas” – John Farnham & Olivia Newton-John

It’s officially the silly season, a time when we can unashamedly enjoy a little schmaltz and sweetness. We get both in abundance in Friends for Christmas, a new holiday release from good pals and Aussie legends John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John.

This is the ideal album to slip on while you’re trimming your tree or entertaining the family on Christmas Day. It’s merry, joyful, and full of cheer. Old favourites like “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” and “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” are delivered with childlike enthusiasm. But for me the real standouts are the songs that allow these two incredible voices to soar. You can’t help but be captivated by more traditional choices like “The Little Drummer Boy” and the closing number, “Hark the Herald Angels Sing.” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” hits all the right notes; it’s tender and so exquisitely executed.

There’s no disputing the talent of these artists. Separately they’re amazing, but listening to them harmonise and feed off one another’s energy takes things to another level. When they get together, magic happens. And isn’t that what Christmas is all about?

Friends for Christmas is in stores now.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Northlane Scores First Number One

Sydney metalcore band Northlane has made a big impact on the ARIA charts, debuting at number one on debut with the latest effort Node. It’s their first number one, and their first album featuring new frontman Marcus Bridge.

With Northlane and another strong debut from Lamb of God, last week’s number one, Tame Impala’s Currents, has been pushed down to number three.

Another previous number one, Two Strong Hearts from living legends John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John, has dropped a few spots to land at number 10 this week.

Delta Goodrem’s the lone Aussie representing us in the singles top 10. Her new single “Wings” sits at number eight, making it the week’s highest debut.

Click below for this week’s top tens.

Continue reading “Northlane Scores First Number One” →

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

John Farnham and Olivia Newton-John On Top of ARIA Albums Charts

I’ve been a bit lax on reporting Aussie chart news of late. I missed writing about when Grace topped the charts, and when her brother Conrad Sewell followed suit. But as John Farnham clocked up his ninth number one album with Two Strong Hearts, I figured I really needed to make the time. Farnsy’s now scored number ones (whether singles or albums) every decade for the last six decades. And let’s not forget about his partner in crime, Olivia Newton-John, who’s now scored her third number one on the albums charts.

Empires, the latest album from Hillsong United, is still going strong. The modern church’s latest effort is at number five, six weeks after its debut.

Blacktown deathcore band Thy Art is Murder will also be happy with their first ever top ten appearance. Their third album, Holy War, sits at number seven on debut.

Conrad and Grace might have slipped away from the number one spots but they’re still making their presence felt on the singles chart. Conrad’s single “Start Again” has slipped slightly to number three while Grace’s cover of “You Don’t Own Me” has fallen to number eight.

Here are the complete top tens for the week!

Top 10 Albums
1. Two Strong Hearts – John Farnham and Olivia Newtown-John
2. Title – Meghan Trainor
3. X – Ed Sheeran
4. How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful – Florence & The Machine
5. Empires – Hillsong United
6. 1989 – Taylor Smith
7. Holy War – Thy Art is Murder
8. Unbreakable Smile – Tori Kelly
9. In the Lonely Hour – Sam Smith
10. Freedom – Refused

Top 10 Singles
1. “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” – Meghan Trainor feat. John Legend
2. “Fight Song” – Rachel Platten
3. “Start Again” – Conrad Sewell
4. “Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd
5. “Shut Up & Dance” – Walk the Moon
6. “Headlights” – Robin Schulz feat. Ilsey
7. “Bad Blood” – Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar
8. “You Don’t Own Me” – Grace feat G-Eazy
9. “Black Magic” – Little Mix
10. “Powerful” – Major Lazer feat. Ellie Goulding & Tarrus Riley

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Music Community Unites for Sound Relief

45, 000 Sydneysiders and 80, 000 Melburnians crammed into their respective cricket grounds for yesterday’s massive Sound Relief concerts.

Crowds at both shows were treated to some extra special performances. Coldplay originally promised an acoustic set, but their electric numbers proved anything but ordinary with the surprise addition of John Farnham to the line-up. The Aussie music veteran joined Coldplay for “Fix You” and “You’re The Voice,” a song Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin called the “national anthem.”

Having living legend Barry Gibb close the show was exciting enough, but to have Olivia Newton-John join him for the Kenny Rogers Dolly Parton classic “Islands in the Stream” was something else. They might not admit it freely, but I’m convinced everyone has a soft spot for that song.

Melbourne didn’t miss out either, with some amazing reformations and international stars. One of the biggest was Midnight Oil, who closed the show.

Their 50-minute set included hit after hit, “Read About It,” “Beds Are Burning” and “Blue Sky Mining” among them.

“You are such a good crowd for such an important event,” Peter Garrett told the enthusiastic crowd.

Initial reports said Kylie wouldn’t sing, but she did anyway, wowing crowds with this beautiful acoustic rendition of “I Still Call Australia Home.” This is another of those songs eligible for the title of honorary anthem – it gets to me every time. This video is preceded by a moving minute’s silence in remembrance of the victims.

Kings of Leon wouldn’t play “Sex on Fire” lest it offend the bushfire victims, yet their mammoth hit “Use Somebody” was well received. From the pop tunes of Gabriella Cilmi to the laidback sounds of Jack Johnson, and the country-tinged duets of Kasey Chambers and Shane Nicholson, it was a concert that delivered something for everybody.

Wolfmother and Jet worked double-time, appearing at both Sydney and Melbourne shows. But they didn’t mind, with Wolfmother singer Andrew Stockdale adding that the event was one of the most significant in Australian music history.

“It just shows what this country does – it gets behind people when they’re down and out,” he told The Sunday Telegraph.

Organisers expect the event to raise more than $5 million for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal and Queensland flood victims.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Olivia Newton-John Headlines Star Studded Charity Concert in Sydney

Olivia Newton-John showed she’s still got it last night, leading a star-studded bill for a charity concert at Sydney’s State Theatre.

“It’s a bit of a dream to be on stage with someone who’s had such an impact on the musical world,” said Guy Sebastian who did his best John Travolta on the night, joining Livvy for a duet of Summer Nights.

“And I can’t believe she is 60 years old – she’s beautiful and still an amazing performer.”

Some of the artists – including James Reyne, Melinda Schneider, and Chantelle Delaney – walked the Great Wall of China with Olivia earlier this year. Others including Todd McKenney, Kate Ceberano, Christine Anu, and Ian Moss were old friends.

All money raised from last night’s performance was donated to the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre Appeal.

Image source: Leahshia Gaston @ Wikimedia Commons

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Olivia Completes Walk to Beijing

Olivia Newtown-John’s massive Great Walk to Beijing trek has come to an end. Olivia led a team of local and international celebrities and cancer survivors on the 228 km journey. The trek took 23 days

In case you haven’t heard, the likes of James Reyne, Sir Cliff Richard, Fergie, and Dannii Minogue walked to raise funds to build a new cancer and wellness centre in Melbourne. Ian Thorpe even did it without shoes one day!

The walk may be over, but the job’s not done yet. “We’ve achieved a lot in terms of educating people about the centre and how it will conduct worldwide research, with a wellness centre and patient care all under one roof. In terms of fundraising we are just at the beginning,” she said on the Great Walk to Beijing website.

You can still donate to this great cause through the site, or you might like to wait to buy Olivia’s latest CD, A Celebration in Song. This great album features duets with Delta Goodrem, Barry Gibb, Richard Marx, Jimmy Barnes, the late Belinda Emmett and more. Proceeds from the sale of the CD will also help fun the cancer centre. You can grab yours when it hits stores on 5 May.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Olivia Newton-John Releases Opera House DVD

Olivia Newton-John played a historic concert at the Sydney Opera House backed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. She played hits that spanned her amazing four-decade career, and I heard so many people say how amazing it was. Now two years later, she’s releasing that concert on DVD so we can all enjoy it.

“This concert was very special to me as it combined my career as a singer with my personal roots growing up in Australia,” Olivia said in a press release. “I had the honour of performing at the Opera House for the Queen but, this night was even more special as it gave me the chance to perform all of my hits in this historic building – it’s hard to believe that I have been singing for so long!”

It is hard to believe when you look at her (does she ever age?), but there’s no denying it when you check out the track listing. It includes gems like “Xanadu,” “Physical,” “Suddenly,” “You’re the One That I Want,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and “Summer Nights” for all you Grease fans, “I Honestly Love You,” and “Jolene,” and that’s just for starters! There’s two hours of concert on there, plus bonus footage of Olivia visiting her favourite spots in Sydney.

Olivia Newton-John and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra (Live at the Sydney Opera House) will be on sale from March 1.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons