Travolta and Olivia are together again
Translation from German:
The show bombshell of the year exploded during the handover of the POP/Rocky Hammer Smurfs to Olivia Newton-John in Sacramento, California!
Travolta and Olivia are inseparable again!
This time, dear POP/Rocky readers, we’re off to the South. More precisely: to Sacramento, California. That’s where I was supposed to present Olivia Newton-John with the two Hammer Smurfs she won in the ‘81 Hammer Election. As a Grease fan, I didn’t need to be asked twice.
But the craziest part is yet to come: Guess who else I ran into in Sacramento…
Through my work in radio, television, film, and POP/Rocky, I’ve certainly met many personalities from show business. And yet, it’s always the same: a strange feeling. I get butterflies in my stomach when I find out I’m supposed to go to see so-and-so, meet up with them, say hello, and, if possible, do an interview.
What are they really like? Is at least some of what you’ve read true?
Oh yes, I’ve experienced the most amazing surprises. What kind of surprise will it be this time?
One thing is certain: I’ll be meeting Olivia Newton-John in Sacramento, the capital of California, and presenting her with two Hammer Smurfs from POP/Rocky—a silver one for her great success as a singer in the 1981 Hammer Awards and a bronze one for her film work.
Olivia has been touring America for two months, criss-crossing the States. I read: no interviews, no photo shoots, no TV appearances — just full concentration on her work.
Tonight is her 52nd concert. She’s singing in the Davis University gymnasium. Fans are already milling around in front of the entrance gates two hours before the show. The modern hall, with its 4,000 seats, is sold out.
I think it’s lovely to be able to experience Olivia Newton-John in a smaller venue for once, and not at a mammoth concert in New York. Everything is somehow more personal and intimate.
We’re there at 7 p.m. The show is scheduled to take place exactly two hours before Olivia’s performance.
We arrive on time, but the security guards, like everywhere else in the world, are steely and incorruptible.
Anyone can tell them the story about the Smurfs we brought over from Europe for Olivia. We have to wait for the manager outside.
Finally, Roger Davis, Olivia’s all-powerful manager, arrives. He greets us warmly, apologizes for being late, and leads us into the hall. Suddenly, our entire environment changes.
As if by magic, all the heavily guarded doors open, and the previously lifeless and petrified bodyguards suddenly smile. Everyone becomes helpful and courteous. One even carries the recording equipment for me.
We enter a large, welcoming room with comfortable armchairs. A buffet with all kinds of drinks, fruits, and salads is set up. A few people are sitting at small tables, speaking in hushed voices.
One of them has his boots casually placed on the table. A real cowboy, I think to myself, looking into his face. He looks at me kindly. I just manage to stifle a gasp. Of course, that’s him, John Travolta! I used to travel miles for his movies. I even saw Grease twice. Didn’t I say so? The surprises, the surprises! So that explains it. Butterflies in my stomach!
John Travolta knows a few German words. He enjoys calling them out to me.
And in the next room, voices ring out, the kind I usually only hear from opera singers. Up and down, high and low, aha, Olivia is warming up her voice.
Finally, she appears herself in the perfect cowboy mini-dress, ready and waiting for the stage. She knows we’re coming. She’s thrilled about the cute blue Smurfs — the awards, as they say here in America.
John Travolta joins us. He brings just the right amount of fun. Olivia is signaled to that she’s up in four minutes.
I learn, from the two stars, that they’ll be making another film together.
“No, not something like Grease, we were both teenagers then,” Olivia laughs. “Now we’re older and more mature, but I’m sure it will be very, very funny again.”
A tour of Germany is therefore up in the air; there are no plans for it at the moment.
Two minutes until the performance. Suddenly, a fan bursts into tears, confusing all the bodyguards. He’s dragged over to Olivia. Trembling and completely distraught, he stands before us.
The fan wants a little kiss from Olivia Newton-John: “Please a kiss, a little kiss, my wonderful Olivia!” he moans repeatedly. And amazingly, Olivia gives him the little kiss. Enjoy the concert! The kiss and the wish have been fulfilled. The effect is palpable; the fan leaves the dressing room beaming.
Even in the furthest corner of the dressing room, I can hear the thunderous applause. Olivia Newton-John is beginning her 52nd concert.
I ask John Travolta if he’ll also be joining her on stage. “We’ll see, I don’t know yet. It all depends on the mood. But it’s possible.”
John Travolta does indeed come out onto the stage. Olivia has introduced him as her good friend, and the applause erupts into a roaring hurricane.
Next to the technicians at the mixing console in the middle of the hall, I witness the perfect show — yes, Olivia is a true professional. A bit too cold for my taste, and everything too calculated. I simply prefer shows with minor mishaps and unexpected slip-ups. Here, everything is expertly organized. Learned down to the last detail, fought for with an iron will.
But she’s connecting with the audience here; they’re clapping and stomping their feet.
And I have to say, her stamina during the “Physical” number is truly exceptional. She looks fantastic, like a young girl. Not an ounce of excess fat. She dances and twirls across the stage. Only someone with incredible physical condition, who knows exactly what they want, can achieve that.
There’s no room for extravagance here. You really can’t see the strain of the two-month tour on Olivia.
On behalf of the POP/Rocky readers, I wished her continued strength and good luck in everything she does.
Photo captions: Sweet John Travolta embraces Olivia on stage. The hall is now in a frenzy. The fans are celebrating their great dream couple!
Hey—what a coincidence! John Travolta is also waiting in Olivia's cabin! Just imagine how delighted Olivia was by the two funny Pop/Rocky Hammer Smurfs! By the way, I'm supposed to pass on a huge thank you!
Here, on the way from New York to California, I was thinking about all the things I could ask Olivia Newton-John. And there it is again, the butterflies in my stomach...
Suddenly the tingling sensation is gone - superstar Olivia Newton-John is standing in front of me.
This is the smitten fan who suddenly stood completely distraught in Olivia's dressing room.
Imagine: This is Olivia's 52nd concert. "Livvy's US tour was quite stressful. But you wouldn't know it to look at her."
Olivia looks fantastic. And she can dance like a young deer!