Olivia sings up a storm - concert review
SHE has been singing up a storm for more than 30 years, but Australian entertainment legend Olivia Newton-John is still hopelessly devoted to her fans.
The star of the original Hollywood hit Grease wowed an enthusiastic Newcastle Entertainment Centre audience last night as part of her national tour.
Heartstrings, Newton-John’s first national headlining tour for 18 years, features her own seven-piece band and a 25-piece orchestra.
Together, the ensemble impressed the crowd with hits such as You’re The One That I Want, Xanadu, and Hopelessly Devoted that helped Newton-John win four Grammys and shoot to success in the 1970s.
The 54-year-old, who was inducted into the Australian Recording Industry’s hall of fame last year, also performed songs from her latest album. Simply entitled 2, the album features duets with fellow Australian music stars such as Tina Arena, Darren Hayes, Billy Thorpe and boy-band Human Nature.
Beyond entertainment, Newton-John has served as a goodwill ambassador to the United Nations Environment Program.
She is recognised as an inspiration for cancer sufferers worldwide after overcoming her own battle with breast cancer in 1992.
It was a busy weekend for music fans in Newcastle, with laid-back blues and roots singer-songwriter Ben Harper and his band the Innocent Criminals performing to a sell-out crowd on Saturday night. It was Harper’s first trip to Newcastle and his mate professional surfer-turned-musician Jack Johnson provided inspiring back-up.
By Neil Keene and Alexandra Smith
More from Olivia’s 2003 Australian tour.