Newton-John performing at the Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet, IL, on August 27, 2017
On August 18 singer-actress-author Olivia Newton-John shared a video to her fans on Facebook with great news about her battle with cancer. “I’m feeling great and looking forward to seeing you soon,” she says. So great, in fact, that the beloved performer returned to the stage August 24-27 and has nearly two dozen North American concert dates scheduled for the rest of the year. (See itinerary below.)
Newton-John had announced on May 30 that the back pain that caused her to postpone the first half of her earlier concert tour, had turned out to be a recurrence of breast cancer. The 69-year-old singer, actress, author and humanitarian is most known for her five #1 pop hits as well as her starring role in the movie musical Grease opposite John Travolta.
At her return to the stage on August 24 with a seven-piece band at the Victory Theater in Evansville, IN, Newton-John performed a 19-song set that included many of the biggest hits from the 1970s and ’80s and some well-chosen covers. (See below.)
Newton-John, though born in England is a longtime Australian resident. She broke through with her 1974 #1 smash, “I Honestly Love You,” which earned the Grammy Award for Record of the Year, and followed it with four other chart-toppers: 1975’s “Have You Never Been Mellow,” her 1978 duet from Grease with John Travolta “You’re the One That I Want,” 1980’s “Magic” and 1981’s “Physical.”
Watch her perform the opening number at her August 27 performance in Joliet, IL
On her Facebook page, on August 28, Newton-John wrote: “After postponing my shows since May because of my breast cancer recurrence, singing in concert for the last 4 nights was very special to me. I feel great! I have been on a healing journey of many different kinds of therapies for which I am very grateful and I look forward to sharing them with the world at a later date. Thank you to the wonderful audiences who came to my concerts and showed their love – I appreciate you so much. Love and light, Olivia”
Olivia Newton-John 2017 Concert Dates (Tickets are available here and here)
Newton-John (Photo via her Facebook page)
Sep 29 – Hot Springs, AR – Oaklawn Racing & Gaming
Sep 30 – Wichita Falls, TX – Wichita Falls Memorial Auditorium
Oct 01 – Midland, TX – Wagner Notel PAC
Oct 06 – Indio, CA – Fantasy Springs Casino
Oct 07 – Pala, CA – Pala Casino Spa Resort
Oct 08 – Scottsdale, AZ – Talking Stick Resort
Oct 12 – Traverse City, MI – City Opera House*
Oct 13 – Midland, MI – Midland Center for the Arts*
Oct 14 – Glen Ellyn, IL – McAninch Arts Center*
Oct 15 – Danville, KY – Norton Center for the Arts*
Oct 17 – St. Catharines, ON – First Ontario PAC*
Oct 18 – Burlington, ON – Burlington PAC*
Oct 19 – Brampton, ON – Rose Theatre*
Oct 20 – Richmond Hill, ON – Richard Hill Centre for the Perf. Arts*
Oct 26 – Malibu, CA – Smothers Theatre*
Oct 27 – Lancaster, CA – Lancaster Theatre*
Nov 11 – Davenport, IA – Adler Theatre
Nov 12 – Northfield, OH – Hard Rock Casino
Nov 13 – Greensburg, PA – Palace Theater
Nov 16 – Englewood, NJ – Bergen PAC
Nov 17 – Newark, OH – Midland Theatre
Nov 18 – Tiffin, OH – Ritz Theatre
Nov 19 – Van Wert, OH – Niswonger PAC
Dec 08 – Brooks, CA – Cache Creek Casino
Dec 09 – Brooks, CA – Cache Creek Casino
Dec 10 – Redding, CA – Cascade Theatre
* With Amy Sky and Beth Nielsen Chapman
Olivia Newton-John August 24, 2017 Setlist
Magic
Xanadu
Suddenly
Deeper Than The Night
Please Mr. Please
Take Me Home, Country Roads
Let Me Be There
Physical
The Promise (The Dolphin Song)
Don’t Cut Me Down
Live On
Not Gonna Give in To It
You’re the One That I Want
Hopelessly Devoted to You
Summer Nights
We Go Together
Grace and Gratitude
I Honestly Love You
Encore
Over the Rainbow
Related: See where “Physical” ranks among 1982’s biggest hits
Newton-John turned 69 on September 26, 2017.
1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversationNot into her music, but you can’t deny she’s a pretty courageous lady. Hope she’s getting the rest, nutrition, and other care she needs for her fight. I’m sure she’s an inspiration to a lot of women who are in the same situation. Brovo!!! Best wishes!