Xanadu and Magic single
MCA recording artist Olivia Newton-John remains “totally hot” property as the public eagerly awaits the release of her second major motion picture, Xanadu. “Magic,” the first single from the motion picture score to the film was released only 12 weeks ago and it has topped the Cash Box pop singles chart for the past two weeks.
The Xanadu album, which also features strong material by ELO, has been pushed to the #31 spot on the pop album chart, partially by the strength of lovely Livvy’s lively hit. In the film, her cinematic follow-up to the record breaking Grease, Olivia plays a roller skating muse who fades in and out of the life of co-star Michael Beck. The film, a sort of ’40s-‘80s musical, also stars Gene Kelly and The Tubes.
The picture, which will debut Aug. 8, should be the well received successor to such achievements as the multi-platinum Grease LP, 1978’s platinum selling “Totally Hot,” and her most recent network TV special.
While many people still believe that the girl, who has gone from a Hayley Mills-like innocence to become a leather-clad fantasy, is Australian, it is somewhat of a misnomer. It is true that she was raised in Australia, but like so many of the land down under’s musical stars, she was born in England.
She gained her first bit of international singing success at age 18 with Bob Dylan’s “If Not For You,” but didn’t really come on strong stateside until the country hit “Let Me Be There” became a gold selling single in 1973.
Since that time it’s been certification city for the blonde singer/actress, as all of her albums have gone gold and “Let Me Be There,” “If You Love Me Let Me Know,” “Greatest Hits,” “Have You Never Been Mellow,” Grease and “Totally Hot,” have all gone platinum.
As it stands right now her “Magic” single has been certified gold and, in the tradition of her last celluloid outing, it looks like Xanadu will get the gold and become a box office smash as well.