The big, big, time for Olivia
NEWCASTLE, Monday - A girl from Newcastle has been signed up in a new London pop group at cost of more than a $32,000.
Olivia Newton-John, 21-year-old daughter of the deputy vice-chancellor of Newcastle University, Professor B. Newton-John, has joined the newly formed group “Tomorrow.”
She was recruited for the group by its promoters, James Bond film director Harry Saltzman and American record producer Don Kirschner.
They paid £15,000 to release her from an existing contract and to pay off a girl they had originally selected for the group. The creation of the four-member group cost them more than $2m.
Their first record “You’re my baby now” will be released on Friday and a film in which they have starred, a science fiction pop musical, has its premiere next month.
Tonight in his home Newcastle overlooking City, Professor Newton-John was bemused by the sudden publicity for his daughter.
“What’s the sudden interest? She started with them two months ago.” he said. “Since then they have shows and making discs.” taping television shows and making discs”.
Professor Newton-John said Olivia went to England after winning a TV competition which gave her “a free passage and a bit of pocket money.”
She then sang in a duo with Pat Carroll, now living in Melbourne. The Professor snorted at the suggestion he did not approve. “It’s just not true, I am delighted,” he said.