Dolly Parton and Keith Urban are among many who paid tribute to Olivia Newton-John in a compilation video played at her Melbourne memorial on Sunday.
Olivia Newton-John died in August 2022, aged 73, after a long battle with breast cancer. At her state memorial service in Melbourne on Sunday, many, including Dolly Parton, Keith Urban, Elton John, Mariah Carey, Pink and Hugh Jackman, paid tribute to the late star. Many recalled recalled her warmth, kindness and extraordinary legacy, with Elton John describing her as “a force of nature”.
Dolly Parton described Newton-John as “a great friend,” who she had the honour of singing with numerous times. Addressing the Australian public, Parton said, “she’s one of your own. And as a country, you should be very proud and know that the whole world mourns with you”.
Newton-John’s last recorded song was a duet with Parton of her iconic song ‘Jolene’, one of Newton-John’s favourite songs. It was recorded as part of Newton-John’s upcoming album, Just the Two of Us, which will be released posthumously in May.
Keith Urban recalled the first time he met Newton-John – at a song retreat in the late 1990’s. She later introduced him onstage.“The first thing that struck me about her was, she was exactly as I imagined she’d be as a person,” he recalled. “No pretences, no facade, just the real deal. Warm, friendly, kind, interested. Just a light, a real light”.
“But the really really extraordinary thing about Olivia is the legacy she’s left,” he continued. “Not only in music, not only in film, but her humanitarian legacy is extraordinary. And that’s the kind of thing that will go on for generations and help millions and millions of people”.
Singer Delta Goodrem paid tribute to Newton-John by performing some of her greatest hits, including her 1980 song ‘Magic’ and ‘You’re The One That I Want’ from the musical Grease.
Olivia Newton-John’s memorial can be watched online until March 5th.
