Livvie Zaps 'em Stateside
The poor girl is stuck in some really luxurious hotel in Miami where the temperature is 85F EVERY day and the only practical way to deal with that is… sit on the beach all day. And that’s what she does!
Livvie’s latest gig is playing the Main Room of a very classy hotel where the idle rich who can still afford a holiday in this winter resort, pile into the two nightly shows. “I wouldn’t say I was playing to an exclusive type of audience though,” she muses. “There’s a real family atmosphere ‘cause ages range from about eight to 60 that’s because in the States grandparents take their grandchildren on holiday. It makes for a great atmosphere even though it is a bit strenuous playing gigs every night. But it’s fabulous to be here. The Americans treat me really well. Honestly I get incredible treatment - I’ll probably find it hard to re-adjust when I get back”
That’s what comes having two number one singles in the States, plus a number one album. Olivia is a very big star in America and this current tour, which takes in two visits to Vegas, is proving that she’s the new darling of the Wild West.
East too, because Livvie’s done what Bowie, Bolan and Slade have been attempting for years; she’s broken across all boundaries and hit them dizzy with just good old fashioned love songs.
There’s no let-up either. At present the search for new material for the next album is hard and busy. Shadows man John Farrar and his wife are on an extended stay the States so that John, Livvie’s producer, can help her choose songs. “There are a lot to wade through,” says Olivia. “But we have some really nice ones and we’re near the final selection. The album will probably have a similar form to the third one and I feel very much that I’m moving in the right direction. Both the number ones were exactly the sort of songs that I love” - a comment which disproves the theory that she’s some sort of country artist.
The fact is Olivia was accepted first of all by the country fans and has now crossed-over to the all-important Middle America.
“You see I’m respected now because I’ve had two big records,” she says, “but the country people really are fantastic. “Whatever the category, she’s first and foremost a working artist right in the current mould of “music comes first”. On the road she likes to travel with the band “it’s more fun” and speaks highly of their musicianship. “They’re really good,” she says. “They’re all Americans from Minneapolis and Minesota. They’re called This Oneness and they can play in any style. Most of them double up so that the organ player also plays flute, the banjo player doubles piano, and so on. They’re into quite heavy music and write their own material in the Chick Corea vein. “ She adds that she will probably bring them to England but, apart from a visit to London to cut the new album, her future appears to be in the States.
At the moment she’s hopping all over the country, either by custom bus fitted with stereo and television of course or by plane for the longer hauls. Next stop is Las Vegas for a one night stand. She explains: “You can’t stay in Vegas for too long. It’s so dry. Last time I had terrible trouble with my throat.” Luckily she’s got a holiday after that gig and plans to escape to her beach house in California.
“By the way,” she begins testily, “I read a ridiculous story in some publication saying I employed armed guards at my place and had lots of Mexicans working for me. It was so stupid. It’s just a small house. I just love the weather and can work on my suntan there. I don’t lead a mad social life, I prefer to stay at home and invite people round for dinner. Any stories to the contrary are just rubbish.”
The price of being a star can be are at, but Olivia Newton-John is one to keep her feet firmly on the ground. Although the volume of work makes it virtually impossible for her to return to England she’s playing the big American State Fairs throughout the summer. Livvie is not joining the tax-dodging talent drain. “After all,” she says with telling conviction, “you can’t lead your life around the taxman.”
Now that’s real style.