Olivia the innocent star singer
By Sandra Pesman, Chicago Daily News
It’s probably time the world learned that Olivia Newton-John is a three-gong act.
“I broke into show business when I was 15, and auditioned on a live television talent show back home in Australia,” laughed the small blond girl, who sings with a Southern twang but speaks in a clipped Austalian accent.
“I remember there were four panelists on the show. Every one that liked you was supposed to give you a gong. I sang “Summertime” and I got three gongs.
That was some confession, coming from the blue-jeaned youngster with the enormous, innocent eyes, who was named best female pop vocalist at the 17th Grammy awards presentation in March.
Her “I Honestly Love You,” was named the No. 1 record on the radio in 1974 by trade magazine, Broadcasting, and the song was heard by more pop radio listeners than any other single last year.
HER FANS ARE EQUALLY loyal to her other top singles, which included, “Let Me Be There.” and “If You Love Me (Let Me Know).”
But to hear her tell it, Olivia Newton-John hasn’t really changed much from that innocent little kid who got her start singing in her brother-in-law’s cafe.
“The place was called The Brummel, and it’s burned down now,” she said quietly, playing with the button on her jean jacket. She dropped her sunglasses from the top of her head on to her nose, and added, “One of my brother-in-law’s friends who played the guitar, heard me and arranged the television audition.
Shows like that one are the reason so many female vocalists like Helen Reddy, Lana Cantrell, and Diana Trask, are filtering up here from down under. Oliva said “We finally have a real chance to be heard, because there are many talent shows like that one and Australia now has finally developed a major recording company.”
When Olivia walks onto the stage, with spotlights glowing and blue eyes sparkling, she gives the impression of being very much at home. In fact, she’s particularly good at creating an “instant magic friendship.”
“Oh, I know that and I’m glad,” she said. “But it wasn’t always like that when I began performing before audiences about six years ago, I was absolutely terrified. I was so stiff and nervous, I couldn’t talk. And when my manager forced me to say even three words between songs, I had to rehearse them. Maybe people feel I give a pleasant show now because I’m still not a real, “show business type.”
“I never think of myself as “Me the Star” and I think people can tell that.”
SOME OTHER STARS who pass through this city, ask promoters to place special wines or french foods in their dressing rooms. But not Olivia.
“I do ask for tea, with honey and lemon. because I need something hot between songs, and I don’t drink coffee,” she said.
She truly thinks of herself as an ordinary girl. “Honestly, no matter how successful I am, I’m still my sister’s sister, and my mother’s daughter,” she said, smiling while she shook her head and let her sun-kissed, streaked hair fly about her face.
“In fact, I often put my big sun glasses down, and go walking around in the streets, hoping people won’t notice me.” she added. “But when they do, I always stop and talk politely because they are the ones who buy my records.”