If You Love Me musical notes
Olivia Newton-John, the Australian girl chosen by Cliff Richard to join him on his first duet record, and by Harry Saltzman for the starring role in his film ‘Tomorrow.’ introduced herself to music at the age of 5 as she whiled away her time making up songs on the family’s grand piano.
She also kept her friends happy with her musical comedies, and at the age of 12 entered a cinema contest “to find the girl who most looked like Hayley Mills.”
Two years later, along with three other girls, she started a singing group called The Sol Four.
After they disbanded, she began singing on her own in a coffee lounge owned by her sister’s husband. A customer suggested she enter a contest given by Johnny O’Keefe, then the reigning Australian musical personality. She won, but it was more than a year (she was a student) before she could take advantage of her prize, a trip to London.
Soon after arriving in London. she formed a double act with another Australian girl. Pat Carroll. Pat’s visa ran out, but Olivia stayed to make solo records.