Diversity Rules Magazine

Tony Guadagnino is a marke ng consultant. Located in New Jersey, his clients are based across the country, fo- cusing on social media to build their pres- ence on the internet. He studied crea ve wri ng in college and is currently working his first novel on the subject of bullying. He lives with his partner Mark. August 8, 2022 … On that day, I lost my all- me favor- ite singer --- Olivia Newton-John. Even as I am writ- ing this, I am s ll finding it difficult to accept that she is gone. Olivia has been a part of my life since I was 6 years old when I first saw the movie GREASE. While she was not a rela ve, and I did not have her number on my phone, she was a part of my life every day for decades. I know she touched many lives besides mine, so I am going to dedicate this ar cle to Lovely Livvy. If you're not familiar with her career, al- low me to give you an educa on about Olivia. Long before GREASE was made, Olivia had spent years in the recording stu- dio. She won a sing- ing contract while in high school, and she and her Mom moved to the UK to begin her music career. By 1971, she was signed with a Bri sh label and recorded the Bob Dylan song "If Not For You," a modest hit in 1971. But it was her 1973 single "Let Me Be There" that became her first Top 10 hit and won her a Grammy Award for Best Female Country Vocal Performance. The following year, her first #1 song "I Honestly Love You" earned her two more Grammys – Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, and the Top Grammy Award – Record of the Year. In addi- on, she won the Country Music Award (CMA) for Fe- male Vocalist of the Year. The la er created a series of backlash from staples of country music ar sts. Members of the Grand Ole Opry like George Jones, Tammy Wyne e, Dolly Parton, Mel Tillis, Barbara Mandrell, Do e West, Conway Twi y, and oth- ers, formed the Associa on of Country Entertainers (ACE), people who protest the influx of pop ar sts to enter country music to promote "real country mu- sic." Unfortunately for them, the group proved inef- fec ve and was quickly dissolved as quickly as it formed. (Dolly Par- ton must have go en over her hurt feelings because the following year, Olivia released a cover of "Jolene," which was another hit. In 1977, Olivia was of- fered the role of a life- me – Sandy Olssen opposite the up and rising star John Travol- ta in GREASE. (NOTE: It was John who wanted her for the role, who met her in person to convince her to take the part.) A er much discussion (and a successful screen test), Olivia accepted the role, and the rest is movie history. Two songs were wri en by her regular producer/writer ("You're The One That I Want" and "Hopelessly Devoted to You") to feature her vocal range on film. And do I need to talk about Sandy 2? Released the following year in June 1978, Grease had become the highest-grossing movie mu- sical of all me, sha ering sales in ckets and record sales for the soundtrack. Olivia received the high 14 |Diversity Rules Magazine| Sept 2022 Olivia Newton-John August 8, 2022 By Tony Guadagnino

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