Olivia Newton-John
I actually wrote “Who Loves Ya Baby?” with Olivia Newton-John in mind. After it was turned down for her album The Rumour, I kept it for myself. I don’t know if Olivia ever heard my recording, but one girl’s trash is another girl’s treasured track. That song ended up opening both the Electric Youth album and the concert tour.
I was even invited to cohost and perform at the American Music Awards alongside Rod Stewart, Anita Baker, and Kenny Rogers. I will never forget the feeling of walking into rehearsal, reading the teleprompter, and being guided by Dick Clark himself. It was like I’d trained my entire young life for this. Having not been the coolest kid in high school, I didn’t know how to rub elbows with Axl Rose, Olivia Newton-John, DJ Jazzy Jeff, and the Fresh Prince. But they all welcomed me with open arms.
One role on my ingenue wish list was Sandy in Grease. I vividly remember going to the sixty-nine-cent Gables movie theater in Merrick to see it with Karen and Michele, and it was life-altering. I instantly related to Olivia Newton-John’s sexy innocence, even as a little girl, and that ignited a lifelong dream. Little did I know this dream would come true on the other side of the pond during a trip to promote Body, Mind, Soul, an unexpected side benefit of this album. I was about to be the token American in the British revival of one of the greatest American musicals of all time.
American Music Awards, January 30 1989 with Debbie Gibson. Photo Ron Galella.