My best friend told me the news on Monday, before I had a chance to read about it myself. Feeling sadness, I immediately pulled up one of my favorite songs of hers on Spotify: Have You Never Been Mellow, and reminisced.
Olivia Newton-John had that one-of-a-kind voice like Karen Carpenter — silky and smooth and rich like butter on warm toast. Not only could she sing those lower notes like Karen, but her high notes reached celestial heights. Her vocal range was vast and I always wished I could sing that high.
As with previous years, the number of celebrity deaths keeps climbing. We recently lost Nichelle Nichols of Star Trek fame. Although I was not a Trekkie for the original series, I appreciate her groundbreaking role. I am a big fan of author David McCullough and his passing saddened me for all of the historical gems he will never write.
But ONJ’s passing felt much more personal. I never met her in this life, but she strikes me as the kind of person I would have been close friends with. Her songs and movies came about during those pivotal years in my life: childhood through early teen years. These were years of big changes in my family — divorce, remarriage, moving across town and having to make friends all over again.
“Grease” came out during the summer of 1978 when I was still living in South San Jose. Although not into musicals at the time, I fell in love this one. I saw it in the theater at least three times and countless times on video. Her role as Sandy was easily identifiable — new girl in school trying to adapt and make friends, even if they were not the best influence on her. I think I must have felt a kinship with Sandy as I moved around so much as a younger child.
Then when “Xanadu” came out, I was living in East San Jose, fairly new to the area. Our neighbor friend across the street came over often. She, my sister and I would sing along to the album, watch the movie and even pretend to roller skate around the living room.
But I think my favorite music of hers was the album “Physical.” It was edgy and even a bit controversial at the time. I loved Olivia’s athletic look and thought she was very gutsy to cut her beautiful hair so short. I quickly memorized all the songs and choreographed my own dance routines. I’m sure she was an influence on my love of dance exercise and my decision to become a volunteer fitness leader.
The deeper I got into the 80’s, the less I followed her career. I do remember when she announced having breast cancer. I worried that her life would be cut short, but she managed to enjoy many more years of life and became an advocate for holistic healing.
Her career and health activism are both admirable things but that is not the reason I admired her so much. Olivia was a genuinely kind person with a beaming smile to match. She had a girl-next-door quality and never seemed too fazed by her fame.
I wish more of today’s singers and celebrities would emulate her disposition. The world would certainly be better for it.
