Olivia has given her heart to Muziek Parade - Muziek Parade

Jan/Feb 1979. No 257/258

Translation:

John called me to thank Muziek Parade again, on behalf of Olivia, for the wonderful and beautiful statue that I was able to present to Olivia, on behalf of MP (Muziek Parade) for the most talented singer/actress/dancer of 1978.

John said, Olivia is completely overwhelmed. This is the most wonderful recognition she has ever received since she started in this business. He continued, Olivia wanted to thank MP and you again personally, but she is still in bed and completely exhausted from last night's concert. And she asked me if I wanted to do it, so thanks again John and see you soon!

I gave John my warm regards and wished Olivia lots of love on behalf of Muziek Parade. But how did it all start and what kind of recognition was John talking about and why did he call me at ten o'clock that Saturday morning on the 25th of November? Read more.....

Many artists come to the Netherlands, from small to big, famous and less famous and from stubborn to very nice. I have experienced a lot as a pop journalist and I have interviewed the biggest stars you can think of and often dined with them in fancy restaurants. I've also had some bad experiences with some very unpleasant artists, but usually, it all ended well. The bigger the artist, the harder it is to talk to them. Because you have to get past the bodyguards and managers first.

When Bovema (Olivia's record label) asked me if I wanted to come to Olivia's press conference, I thought: This is going to be a mess! Why? Look, there's a big difference between a regular interview and a press conference. When I do an interview, I talk to the artist personally. At a press conference, it's different. The artist has become so big and important that almost every newspaper and pop magazine wants an interview. And people, that's impossible, because then the star would be sitting? Would I do the presentation right? Would I drop the camera, would I say the wrong things? And Olivia... What would she think of it all?

I had one advantage: the English language. My thoughts were interrupted with, Okay, John, you can come in now. MP photographer Barry Schultz winked at me and smiled broadly. Come on, Barry said, This is THE moment.

Together we entered Olivia's room, and there she was! I introduced myself and took off my coat. The AVRO guys had just finished a short film and were still there. That gave me time to get the precious figurine (statue) out of the box. I turned around, and Olivia looked at me as if to say, What are you doing behind your back?

I sat down next to her and told her a few things. I sat down next to her and told her a few things about MP and how enormously influential the film Grease, and especially herself, is on the Dutch public. She found my information very impressive and enjoyable to hear.

And now for the figurine. First, I gave a speech about her career over the past five years, up to and including her performance in Amsterdam that same evening. My words, as I handed her the figurine, were: Olivia, it gives me great pleasure to present to you this statue on half of the readers of our magazine, Muziek Parade, We are more than honored that you have given us ten minutes of your very valuable time and appreciate the fact that you must be now very tired. Thank you.

She took the statue made of pure silver and gemstone from me and was completely speechless. I've never had anything like this presented to me before. It's much nicer than golden and platinum records. I'm so pleased with it. I don't know what to say, Olivia said.

I could tell she really meant it, because her expression was one of utter happy surprise! The minutes passed and we chatted a bit more about this and that, but her complete attention was on the image. "It's really beautiful," she said. I'm so lost for words, thank you, thank you very much indeed.

At that moment she looked like a queen who had just been crowned in all her honor and glory and that was beyond words. I stood up and kissed her on the cheek and I realized that as an artist they have to spend days on promotion and there isn't that much time!! So how is this solved? By a press conference. The record company rents a large room in the hotel (where the artist is sitting), and that artist sits behind a table with microphones (not always), and then you can ask the questions together with fifty or more other journalists.

And what do you get by this method? Or you ask the questions of another journalist (with the artist's answer), or you ask your own questions. Actually, it doesn't hurt, but it's extremely annoying if you want to ask a really good question that no one else thought of! And this happens often! Okay, you know enough now!

A press conference was also organized for Olivia, and it went well. I sat next to her and spoke to her personally for about ten minutes, and they were the most valuable ten minutes of my life! But how was this possible? How was that possible: why was MP allowed to have ten precious minutes with the most important star at this moment, and why not another magazine or newspaper?

And here's the thing: When we heard from Bovema that Olivia was coming, MP wanted to give her a surprise, because you mustn't forget that she is such an incredibly great artist, so important to us that she deserves something special. What could MP do for Olivia? It couldn't be ordinary; no, it had to be beautiful, just like Olivia herself. We chose a statue designed by Anneke Schat, who also designed the television ring. Such a statue is very expensive, but it was worth it. Thanks. MP

With the cooperation of Bovema Netherlands and EMI Records London, I was able to present the statue, specially designed for Olivia, for MP. After the press conference, I was invited to the sixth floor of the Sonesta Hotel in Amsterdam, where Olivia was waiting for me in her room. I went along with the 160-kilo bodyguard, feeling very nervous.

There I stood, on the sixth floor, in the dimmed hallway lights. I turned and looked outside. It was already very late, almost two in the morning. What would happen in a few seconds? How would I feel about being confronted by someone so close to home, even more beautiful than in all the photos I'd seen of her?

It was over. The great encounter had taken place without any trouble or blunders. It had only been ten simple minutes, but for me, once again, the most exciting minutes of my life. On my way home, it was now three in the morning. I never in my life expected to sit next to her and chat. And I drove home dreaming.

Text: John McFarlane, Photos: Barry Schultz

Music Parade Award Award For Olivia Newton-John For Most Outstanding Musical Achievements - From Muziek Parade/Holland For Olivia Newton-John.

This was engraved on the statuette that Muziek Parade had specially made for OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN. Designer: ANNEKE SCHAT for LUCAS VAN LEYDEN, jewelers, in the Narrowest Building in Leiden. In these photos you see JOHN McFARLANE presenting the statuette to OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN. She is clearly impressed with this award.

A fantastic contest only at MUZIEK PARADE.

OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN gave her own silver medallion to MUZIEK PARADE and said: Create a fun contest and give this as a prize.

very sweet gesture from the warm-hearted OLIVIA! Here's what to do:

a) Write three lines about why you think OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN is so amazing!
b) Attach a photo of yourself!
Send the entire entry to Muziek Parade,LEIDEN P.O. Box 173-2300 AD. Submissions are possible until: January 20th.

OLIVIA's silver medallion is inscribed: OLIVIA with LOVE. There is only one of each. And that one medallion comes from OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN herself.

The winner(s) of this unique contest will receive a very exclusive piece of jewelry. In addition, for the 5 most original entries: a Grease Special of Muziek Parade signed by OLIVIA herself.