Focus on Olivia
Olivia’s parents moved from Wales to Australia when she was five so that her father, a Welshman, could take up an appointment as Master of Ormond College. Her German-born mother was the daughter of a Nobel Prize-winning physicist. This was when Olivia started taking an interest in music - via the family grand piano on which she used to make up tunes.
There was a certain amount of conflict between her schooling and her early musical activities - until she eventually left school and was at last able to accept the prize she had won in a talent contest a trip to England.
Olivia formed a double-act with fellow Australian Pat Carroll and gained a lot of valuable experience singing and dancing in clubs and later on TV. But Pat’s visa ran out and she had to return to Australia. Undaunted, Olivia went on to make her first single “If Not for You” which became an International hit as did “The Banks of the Ohio” which earned her a silver disc in the UK.
Olivia’s friendship with Cliff Richard has, of course, helped her career a lot. Cliff chose Olivia to sing with him on his first duet single “Don’t Move Away” and she toured the Continent with the Cliff Richard Show. Olivia has been closely associated with Cliff both on and off duty although she always described their relationship as “just good friends”.
Olivia’s sunny, good looks have also helped her, as has her open, friendly personality. She loves horses and can eat like one without putting on a pound. Some people have all the luck.