An ad for this single from Travolta and Newton-John appeared in the March 25, 1978, issue of Record World
Upon learning the news of the passing of Olivia Newton-John on August 8, 2022, at age 73, many stars who either knew her or were impacted by her stunning recorded repertoire took to social media to celebrate her. They were led by John Travolta, who co-starred with Newton-John in the smash 1978 film, Grease.
“My dearest Olivia,” he wrote, “you made all of our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible. I love you so much. We will see you down the road and we will all be together again. Yours from the first moment I saw you and forever! Your Danny, your John!”
Grease film director, Randal Kleiser, wrote, “She was one of a kind, and so very kind. For over four decades of our friendship, she exuded nothing but love to everyone she met. Olivia was exactly the way you imagined her. I will miss her forever.”
Actress Stockard Channing, who portrayed the character of Betty Rizzo in Grease, said, “I don’t know if I’ve known a lovelier human being. Olivia was the essence of summer—her sunniness, her warmth and her grace are what always come to mind when I think of her. I will miss her enormously.”
In loving memory of our Sandy, Olivia Newton-John.❤️ pic.twitter.com/NRjmdFxPu1
— Paramount Pictures (@ParamountPics) August 8, 2022
Other tributes came from Elton John, Rod Stewart, and fellow singing legends Barbra Streisand and Dionne Warwick, who wrote “another angelic voice has been added to the heavenly choir.”
Newton-John’s daughter, Chloe Lattanzi, posted several photos of the two of them together.
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Another angelic voice has been added to the Heavenly Choir. Not only was Olivia a dear friend, but one of the nicest people I had the pleasure of recording and performing with. I will most definitely miss her. She now Rests in the Arms of the Heavenly Father 🥲🙏🏾♥️
— Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) August 8, 2022
One of the most genuinely beautiful souls has left us. Olivia Newton-John was an amazing artist in every way. She was a dear friend to me and to all. Olivia is the definition of the phrase “Down to earth”. I love you Liv pic.twitter.com/FKyUd7WfRs
— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) August 8, 2022
— Dolly Parton (@DollyParton) August 9, 2022
Melissa Etheridge wrote “Journey well, dear friend. She was one of the first to reach out to me after my cancer diagnosis. What a beautiful woman and special talent.”
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From Rod Stewart: “My great friend Olivia Newton John has passed away. She was the perfect Lady, gorgeous, with great poise and with a certain Aussie sophistication. Her spandex trousers in Grease were my inspiration for my ‘Da ya think I’m Sexy‘ era.
RIP Olivia”
The saddest of news to wake up to. Olivia was a beautiful and courageous woman, who I never heard complain about her illness. A beautiful voice and a warm and loving friend. I will miss her so much. Condolences to her family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/Ssc6h8WDKh
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 9, 2022
I had the pleasure of meeting Olivia Newton John many years ago when I played celebrity tennis. Saddened to hear about this lovely lady. #RIPOliviaNewtonJohn pic.twitter.com/a4qOtcEx4K
— Micky Dolenz (@TheMickyDolenz1) August 8, 2022
Sweet Olivia has gone home. She was a beautiful soul and I know of no one who didn’t love her or know what a great humanitarian she was. The world is out of balance when we lose these magnificent people. God speed Livvy. We will all meet again ❤️❤️❤️ @olivianj 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/8tV5j8XvII
— Rick Springfield (@rickspringfield) August 8, 2022
Dinah Manoff, who played the role of Marty Maraschino in Grease, said: “As many will tell you, Olivia Newton-John was one of the kindest, most generous souls ever to grace the earth, and I was one lucky Pink Lady to have spent time with her during the filming of Grease. She brought light and laughter wherever she went. My deepest condolences to her family and friends during their time of great loss.”
The Farnham family send love and sympathies to Olivia’s family.
Behind that iconic smile was a tenacious fighter. A beautiful voice and a loyal friend. She will be greatly missed. #OliviaNewtonJohn— John Farnham (@JacksPlaceJF) August 9, 2022
What an inspiration she was to me when I was a young girl – who didn’t want to be @olivianj ?
I was lucky enough to actually sing with her and spend a little time together. It was a privilege for me to be in her presence and her light and what a light that was.
❤❤❤❤ pic.twitter.com/AFYdmKlAL5— Belinda Carlisle (@belindacarlisle) August 9, 2022
So sad to hear of the passing of Olivia Newton-John. She was as lovely and sweet as you hoped she’d be. Your spirit lives on dear Olivia.❤️
— Marlo Thomas (@MarloThomas) August 9, 2022
Thinking of Olivia. She was a lovely person and I so enjoyed working with her. My thoughts go out to her family… pic.twitter.com/8alqhu6wAw
— Jeff Lynne’s ELO (@JeffLynnesELO) August 10, 2022
From Cliff Richard, who sang a 1980 duet, “Suddenly,” with Newton-John: I find myself at a loss as to what to say. “Death”….well, he is a vicious enemy and all of us will be taken by him. But all of us are not taken by him at the same time and so while Olivia remains in our minds and memories, she remains very much alive!!
I’m just one of an army of lucky people who knew and loved her. How could we not love her? She was gorgeous, gifted and had a heart of Gold. Also, a bunch of records that were Gold, but her Golden Heart is her legacy to us.
When she was first diagnosed with cancer Livvy put her career on hold for years. Why? Because she wanted to inspire other sufferers to do as she did…fight the ugly disease, although she said in one interview that she wasn’t in a battle with cancer just that she had something that she simply wanted to get rid of!
Olivia always had an up-beat approach to life. Only three weeks ago I was on the phone to her, and she was her bright positive self and I never thought for one moment of that call that I would be writing this and acknowledging her death. I hate that word!
From now on I will only believe that our gorgeous Olivia simply stopped living. I will miss her. The world will miss her, so let’s all keep her alive in our hearts and memories.
God bless you Livvy.
Rest In Peace…..Cliff xxx
— Olivia Newton-John (@olivianj) August 10, 2022
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1 Comment so far
Jump into a conversation“Suddenly” was one of my favorite ONJ songs. That and (this goes back awhile) “My Old Man’s Got a Gun”. RIP Olivia