Olivia Newton-John before her Grease fame in rare archive footage | Magnet | Eden, NSW

2022-09-23 21:16:33 By : Mr. Jason Long

Your digital subscription includes access to content from all our websites in your region. Access unlimited content, as well as The Canberra Times app.

Archive footage of Olivia Newton-John before she starred in Grease has emerged after she passed away aged 73 on Monday.

Newton-John was just 26 years old when she was interviewed by presenter on the Sounds Unlimited TV show in Sydney in December, 1975.

Working as a recording artist in the UK, Newton-John had returned to Australia to visit her brother in Melbourne and the rest of her family in Newcastle for Christmas before jetting off to LA for New Years.

In one fortelling moment, the singer was asked what she had in store for the next year.

"I've got a lot to do. I've got probably two major tours but one is in February through March, and then I've got some television shows and then I've got my own television show," Newton-John replied.

"And also they're looking for a film, which I will probably do next year as well."

Little did she know, her next film role as Sandy Olsson in Grease, which was filmed in 1977 and released in 1978, would shoot her to superstardom.

Newton-John also spoke about her collaboration with fellow Australian singer Pat Carroll, with whom she formed a duo called "Pat and Olivia" and toured nightclubs in Europe.

She also mentioned another Australian singer Helen Reddy, who ultimately encouraged her to move from the UK to the US to pursue a career in Hollywood.

At the time of the interview, Newton-John had recorded her seventh studio album at Abbey Road studios in London but was still deciding on a name for it.

"I don't know yet. We've got to see which song stands out now," she replied.

The album was ultimately named 'Come On Over' after its lead single, which was a moderate pop hit that peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

Ultimately, it was Newton-John's post-Grease albums 'Totally Hot' and 'Physical' that ended up being her most successful.

I am a video journalist and host of the Newcastle Herald TikTok account! I spend most of my days filming and editing videos but also like to write articles as well. I'm new to Newcastle, so I like to spend my spare time exploring this city and its many beaches.

I am a video journalist and host of the Newcastle Herald TikTok account! I spend most of my days filming and editing videos but also like to write articles as well. I'm new to Newcastle, so I like to spend my spare time exploring this city and its many beaches.

Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date.

We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy.