The time has come when I must have a US base (buying a Malibu beach home)
HOLLYWOOD - Olivia Newton-John the English-born, Australian-bred singer who’s been setting international record charts afire since 1971 - now is establishing roots in America.
Americans have become her stoutest fans, she says. “I’m not anywhere near as big anyplace else as I am here. ‘Let Me Be There’ didn’t even get on the London music charts.”
She and her manager man-in-her-life, Lee Kramer, have just taken possession of a Malibu Beach home. And while she also intends to keep her 16th Century London residence, she explains, “The time has come when I must have a U.S. base. I’m tired of living out of suitcases.”
The way her American popularity continues to swell, it would appear the Los Angeles oceanfront base hardly will alleviate her living-out-of-luggage situation. Having completed taping Perry Como’s March 27 CBS special, she now heads out for a string of 12 concert dates in the South, concluding the spin March 28 with a week-long engagement at the Hollywood, Fla., Diplomat Hotel. After that, Olivia might just take on some of the American acting of fers that are pouring in.
“Let Me Be There” is just one of five records certified “Gold” in this country within a 10-month period. And in the last few weeks she’s added trophies to her collection that include the Country Music Association Top Female Vocalist award, the Peo-ple’s Choice Award, two Grammys, four American music awards, and top female recognition from both Record World and Billboard magazines.
About all those honors in so short a time, Olivia says, “Earning so many does make me feel a bit guilty - but not guilty enough to turn any back.”
By Marilyn Beck