Steps with Olivia
Translation from Dutch:
Imagine being a millionaire, with assets stretching from Australia to America, and not even being able to celebrate your birthday at home because your record label boss makes you perform in the Netherlands at the Platen 10-daagse gala.
That’s what happens when your name is OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN and you’ve just released a new single and LP. Of course, Hitkrant, as an old friend, accompanied her all day.
Immediately after arriving at Rotterdam Airport, Olivia had work to do.
It was a quarter past two, and photos and autographs had to be taken for the captain of the plane and his entire crew.
So, Olivia could start signing autographs right before she even went through customs. A procedure she could repeat all day long.
The cold wind blowing through Rotterdam that afternoon prompted Olivia to don a thick parka.
“I have to think about my voice, after all,” she laughs to photographer Aad Spanjaard.
Together with her manager Roger Davies (who, incidentally, has also just become Tina Turner’s manager), she goes shopping.
In a tobacconist’s shop, she gazes admiringly at some typical Dutch souvenirs. However, she decides against buying that Delftware windmill. She does, however, take home a silver necklace with two Delftware clogs. “For my sister who stayed in Los Angeles,” she confides.
It’s now ten past three, in the afternoon, there’s a busy rehearsal with Rogier van Otterloo’s orchestra, and in between, Olivia has to sign many autographs.
Here, to one of the girls involved with the organization. “I’ve been a big fan of yours for years,” the girl tells Olivia.
She’s quite surprised when the girl confides that she especially likes “Country Roads” (a song from 1970!). “So you’re a real fan,” Olivia laughs.
She has to get back to the orchestra rehearsal. From three-thirty to a quarter past five, they rehearse non-stop. But as you can see, sometimes they briefly pause for autographs…
At five o’clock, Olivia wakes up with a start: “I completely forgot to buy some postcards for my family,” she says.
Aad Spanjaard quickly drives her to a shop where she can get the various cards just before closing time. The man who is supposed to pay for the cards is completely out of place.
“Aren’t you Olivia from ‘Grease’?” he asks. When Olivia agrees with a laugh, the good man initially refuses to accept any money for the tickets.
“I rented that film on video for my daughter’s birthday,” he says proudly. Olivia engages in a lengthy conversation with the man about video, telling him that there are over four million ‘Grease’ videotapes in circulation in America and that the film is still number one at video companies there. After paying, she leaves the friendly salesperson.
It’s now a quarter to six. After a delicious Japanese meal (“No photos please. I’d like to eat undisturbed. Okay?”), Olivia, her manager, and Aad head back to the Ahoy for the performance. You’ve seen enough photos of that, so we’ll skip that part of the evening.
At one minute past midnight, presenter Lous Haasdijk announces that it’s Olivia’s birthday.
The 33-year-old, however, doesn’t hear it, because she’s already on her way to the Rotterdam Hilton Hotel, where record executive Bert Verhelst is waiting for her with a big surprise: he’s had a gold necklace designed especially for her, featuring a little dolphin. “Because you wrote ‘The Dolphin Song’ yourself on your LP ‘Physical.’ I think it’s one of the most beautiful songs,” the executive compliments her.
Olivia is visibly moved. At a quarter past twelve, the final surprise awaits Olivia: a large cake to celebrate her birthday.
Joyful as a little girl, she grabs the large cake knife and cuts off a piece for manager Roger. A (very large) piece is also cut off for Aad Spanjaard.
“Put that camera down now,” she says, and as Aad starts eating, not many more pictures are taken.
By Martin Anders