Hi everyone.
First, thank you all for your touching comments and emails regarding the passing of Olivia Newton-John. They have meant so much. I’m not gonna lie, it’s been a rough week. My initial plans were to post all this week, and then my partner and I were planning a vacation next week, but then we got the sad news of Olivia’s passing on Monday and my world sort of stopped. I knew she was ill but did not expect this to happen so soon. Many of you have sent messages asking me to post ONJ material, but honestly, I cannot even listen to her music without getting emotional and crying. My love affair with Olivia began at the age of eight years old when my aunt took me to see “Grease” in the summer of 1978 after that I was Hopelessly Devoted and have been a massive fan ever since. Olivia was like a second mother guiding me through my life journey. I am so grateful for that.
At the moment, the plan going forward is to take my planned vacation next week while trying to get over this huge loss and then resume posting the following week, August 22. I will also be announcing another ONJ project that I have been honored to work on in the coming days.
Thank you for your understanding.
Love & Light, Paul
Paul, of course you were the first person I thought of when I heard the sad news. Then my sister, who had a poster of Olivia on her wall and bought “Physical” on a 45 for her first-ever music purchase so many years ago. Funny story…my brother-in-law’s sisters wanted to find something family-friendly but mildly embarrassing to playing at my sister’s wedding reception. They had a video of my brother-in-law singing a mildly risque song as a youngster, and I dug out a tape of my sister singing along to “Physical” at the tender age of 10 or so (not… Read more »
Have to believe we are magic, nothing can stand in our way.
Paul, stop with the drama. “The only certainty in life is death”.
Hugs
You know, you could have chosen not to say anything at all. You have no clue what part her music played in Paul’s life, but you assume that regardless it should be easily shrugged off? I wonder how callous you would find the same comment tossed your way from a stranger if you lost a parent, sibling, child, friend, associate, etc? We are all human and our brains make psychosocial connections to one another in an infinite number of ways. That connection is real to the mind and largely represents our individual reality, irrespective of the way in which it… Read more »
This rare ((STEREO)) video shows Olivia at a peak in her career and should make all her fans smile and remember what flawless entertainment she brought us during her amazing career. Get out your headphones for maximum enjoyment!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8mQ9nt5WAY&lc
Hi Paul,
I send you a big hugh & peace in your heart for the passin away of ONJ.
I hope you will be okey soon and get a great vacation with your partner.
From Argentina, with love,
Pedro
It’s been a week now since I learned of Olivia’s passing and yet it still feels incredibly raw. Like many of you have posted, she was a major force in our lives, from when we were young and, for me, the adoration continues to this day. Exposed to Olivia’s talents by my mother’s vinyl albums in the early 1970’s, my twin and I would listen intently, mesmerised by the beauty of her voice and the tenderness in her delivery, particularly Peter Allen’s “I Honestly Love You”, which even as a youngster I inherently knew to be an ode to gay… Read more »
Dear Paul God bless you, your family and Olivia too, hugs
I’m still in shock to be honest, i was more into her music when she came into my life, I’m 60 now, I still have all her early albums and been playing them just to bring back memories, as a kid my whole bedroom was covered in posters of her, which I still had,. the news of her passing brought a tear to my eye, but still have all the memories and was glad I got to see her on tour, she will never be forgotten in my book.
We all share in the loss of this incredible person and although we are not in person to support one another we are supporting each other through our words. Olivia was an artist who never lowered herself or her standards but strove to improve the world around her. She will be missed.
What an incredible community you have here Paul. There have been so many heartfelt messages coming from all over and I hope they give healing to you. Please take your time and grieve for as long as it takes. We love you!!!
Jeff
Thank you for this heartfelt post. Sending hugs. I feel similarly about Olivia.
As a Beatles fan, I felt the same when George Harrison died. And I’m sure whenever Paul McCartney passes, my world will not be quite the same.
My only advice – take your time. The people who love Burning the Ground will still be here whenever you come back.
I’ve been depressed this whole week and listening to her music nonstop. Revisiting songs that I haven’t listened to in ages has made me realize again just how talented she was.
Após receber a notícia do falecimento da Olivia, senti um vazio misturado com a tristeza. Porém, as imagens,de seus sorrisos e outras boas lembranças preenchiam minha mente. Entre as coisas que lembrava, você, Paul era um dos presentes. Ficava tentando imaginar o impacto que lhe causou esta triste notícia.
Bem, como a gente diz aqui, no Brasil:”A vida segue…”
Over the years, I’ve seen many of my favourite artists pass off to the heavens, Donna Summer, George Michael, and being the same age of Paul, I also grew up on a heavy dose of Olivia Newton John. The Xanadu Soundtrack was my all time favourite album, as it feature two of my favourite artists of the period, with Electric Light Orchestra. I’m Not a pop purist, nor like wise with rock, and this is where Olivia fell right into the perfect fold of my taste of music. Her presence was something else, just positive and at peace with all the… Read more »
Hello, Paul. It’s been a rough week and you’ve suffered a grievous loss. I’m sorry for the passing of your friend, Olivia Newton John. I sincerely want to be able to support you in any way I can. When family or dear friends pass away, these are major losses in our lives. Olivia Newton John’s passing will take time for adjusting to the new reality of life without her. For myself, I’ve had a couple of deep, deeeep losses in my adult life. The most recent loss has been a “mere” 15 years and I’m still not “over” grieving these… Read more »
Have a good break Paul, we all are so full of grief and sorrow on Olivia’s death but we must remain strong my friend!
Do what is good for you… 🙁
Hey Paul, when I read she died I thought of you, knowing what a massive fan you are even curating her last reissue. I’ve appreciated your posts of her music over the years, especially the Xanadu stuff. My parents liked Oliva and had her early records, she was literally some of the first music I remember listening to. Her blend of pop and country was.both soothing snd sensual and a lullaby to my young ears, she sang me to sleep Its hard to let go of our heroes as time passes, the things that make life special, the constants that… Read more »
I feel you – I went through a similar experience when Andrew Fletcher died surprisingly. I wish you all the strength and love you need to go through this.
U need to repost all dead links
He doesn’t need to do anything
Who u are? Is lawier? I just say that becouse i need this 2: brakfast club never be the same
New edition once in a lifetime groove
A selfish request at an inappropriate time.
That said, it was so tasteless as to almost reach parody status, and I admit it did make me laugh – like something out of South Park. Eric Cartman would post this on Kyle’s Facebook after his parents died.
It warmed my heart to see virtually every guy in my socials (gay and straight) say, “She was my first crush.” The quintessential girl next door, as my wife put it. She’s not wrong.
Take care of yourself, and know that we’re here for you. Enjoy your vacation.
My heart was hit hard. Love to you and yours as you remember, grieve, heal and grow.
Right? What a shock. Been a huge fan since the ‘70’s, probably primarily Grease forward especially, but before too…we used to rent Xanadu all the time. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I actually knew the movie bombed cuz we loved it so much and had all the 45’s! She always retained that down to earth nice person vibe and never got full of herself! She will be missed! Until she wakes up again, that is!
Take all the time you need Paul. We will be alright, because we’re all in the healing season. Olivia Netwon-John is simply put a national treasure. May she rest in peace, and her music transcend throughout the cosmos.
I know how you feel Paul. I’ve been a fan of ONJ since 1974 when the singles, “I Honestly Love You” and “If You Love Me, Let Me Know” were first released. She’s been my shining star ever since. Miss you, Livvy.
Paul, take care of yourself. You are very generous with your time and talent within this community and I appreciate you as I am sure the others here do as well. I remember feeling emotionally overwhelmed – grieving really – when I heard of George Michael’s passing; I was surprised how deeply it affected me. Wish you well.
I have a similar experience to yours regarding Olivia and “Grease”. Take care on your time off and we all look forward to seeing you again soon