My tribute to the late, great Olivia Newton-John

She had me at Let Me Be There.

The lovely Olivia Newton-John has died at the age of 73. It is hitting the world hard because, let’s face it, she just had a way about her. So talented, so beautiful, gracious, so generous, so brave, so strong. She was also, by all accounts, a damned good person and certainly a staunch and steadfast supporter of the LGBT community.

Olivia was a major star for nearly 50 years years and provided us with so many songs, so many memories from concerts, TV shows, and such movies as Grease, Xanadu, It’s My Party, and Sordid Lives.

I never met Olivia and never saw her in concert. But I did have her records (later CDs) and had the unique opportunity to see her perform live at the Paramount lot for the 25th anniversary party for Grease. I was told by an Entertainment Tonight producer where to stand if I really want to see something special. Sure enough, it was Olivia and John Travolta dueting on You’re The One That I Want then leading other cast members in attendance on Summer Nights. It was glorious.

And all those great songs in the 70s and 80s were a big part of the soundtrack to my youth!

I Honestly Love You, Have You Never Been Mellow, If You Love M Let Me Know, Hopelessly Devoted to You, Please Mr. Please, Physical, Magic, A Little More Love, Physical, Summer Nights, You’re the One That I Want, Magic, Heart Attack, Twist of Fate, Xanadu, Suddenly and on and on.

Here are some of her hits to remember her by: