I was just like a lot of people yesterday— sad when I heard the news that Olivia Newton-John died. She died Monday at the age of 73. She revealed in 2018 that her cancer had spread to the base of her spine. This was her third time being diagnosed with cancer after dealing with breast cancer in the 90s and again in 2017.
Like many people, I was a huge fan and, yes, had a crush on Olivia back in the 70s. Can I pick a favorite song? There are too many to choose just one.
Her numbers are pretty impressive! She was a four-time Grammy Award Winner with five number-one and ten other Top Ten singles. She had success on the Country Charts and the Adult Contemporary charts. Eleven of her singles have been certified gold and she has sold an estimated 100 million records worldwide.
However the thing that I really noticed yesterday was how much the world loved her! Not only were there Tweets from celebrities and her co-stars from the movie “Grease,” but so many regular Joe’s (like myself) seemed to be so moved by her passing. That got me wondering —- why?
This wasn’t the first famous person to die and certainly won’t be the last. Was it because she was a great singer? Maybe. Was it because a memory of our childhood has left us? Could be. Was she a good actress? Sure. Who didn’t love “Grease?”
I think it was more than that though.
I saw a Tik Tok yesterday from a guy who makes music content. One sentence that stood out to me was when he listed Olivia’s success he added, “And she did it all without any drama.” Yes! I don’t remember any drama surrounding her career. She sang. She entertained. That was it!
Her personal life was not always rosy, but then again I suppose that’s to be expected when you spend 73 years on this planet. She had a terrific attitude when it came to dealing with her cancer diagnosis though we don’t know what went on in those quiet, personal times.
Some of the most common words that I’ve read this week are “wholesome,” “beloved,” and “angelic.”
Perhaps the Tweet that best sums it up was posted by, ironically, a sports reporter. Mike Lynch who retired a few years ago from WCVB-TV in Boston posted: “Hearts are broken world wide!”
That pretty much sums it up.
Check out this list of hits:
- If Not For You
- Let Me Be There
- (If You) Love Me Let Me Know
- I Honestly Love You
- Have You Never Been Mellow
- Please Mr. Please
- Something Better To Do
- Come On Over
- Don’t Stop Believing
- Sam
- You’re The One That I Want
- Hopelessly Devoted ToYou
- Summer Nights
- A Little More Love
- Deeper Than The Night
- Magic
- Xanadu
- Suddenly
- Physical
- Make A Move On Me
- Twist Of Fate
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