Totally Hot - Cashbox

Although still a young woman, Olivia Newton-John is already a show business veteran of long standing. Born in Cambridge, England and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Olivia traveled to England after winning her first talent contest at 16.

For the next two years she performed as a duo with Pat Carroll in cabarets and on BBC television shows before Pat returned. to Australia and Olivia recorded her first single Bob Dylan's "If Not For You." The song made her an international success at 18.

After her next single won the Australian Gold Disk, Olivia became a regular guest on the BBC television show It's Cliff Richard. In 1971 and 1972 she was voted. Best British Girl Singer. And in 1973 Olivia won her first Grammy as Best Country Vocalist for her single Let Me Be There. Since then, her list of awards has multiplied each year, with two more Grammys in 1974 and a total of eight American Music Awards. In 1974 Cash Box voted Olivia number one New Female Vocalist in both the singles and albums categories.

Other important debuts this week:
Greatest Hits packages by Barry Manilow and Steve Miller Band which entered the chart at #50 bullet and #86 bullet respectively. Olivia Newton-John's new album Totally Hot came in at #92 bullet.

AUSTRALIA HONORS OLIVIA

During her recent concert tour of Australia, singer Olivia Newton-John was honored at a reception in her hometown of Melbourne, hosted by the city's Lord Mayor, Irvin Rockman.

At the party, Rockman presented her with a plaque making Olivia Melbourne's Honorary Ambassador To The World. Also at the reception, Olivia was awarded with gold and platinum albums. Pictured (l-r) are: Ross Barlow, managing director of Polygram Records Australia; Allan Hely, managing director of Festival Records; Newton-John; and Rockman.