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Op-Ed: This ‘Grease’ star belongs in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

With the major motion picture Grease turning 40 years old this year, her impact on pop culture (as an actress and musician) is as relevant and important as ever. Her music encompasses elements of pop, rock, country and adult contemporary music.

In the ’70s, she rose to stardom thanks to the success of the motion picture Grease, where she played Sandy Olsson opposite John Travolta (Danny Zuko), which is one of the most successful movie musicals of all time, and the same holds true for the Grease soundtrack.

As a solo artist, Newton-John’s mantel holds four Grammy awards (including a prestigious “Record of the Year” Grammy for “I Honestly Love You”), and her following songs went to No. 1 on the Billboard charts: “I Honestly Love You,” “Have You Never Been Mellow,” “Please Mr. Please,” “Something Better to Do,” “Come on Over,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” and “Physical,” among others.

In addition, two of her studio albums, If You Love Me, Let Me Know and Have You Never Been Mellow both catapulted to the top of the Billboard 200 all-genre charts. Newton-John has sold nearly 100 million united worldwide, which places her in the list as one of the best-selling artists of all time.

She is actively involved with charitable work with her Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness & Research Centre, which raises awareness on cancer research and wellness.

Most recently, in May of 2018, Newton-John was awarded a doctorate by La Trobe University in Melbourne.

A major criterion for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame includes influence and significance of the artists’ contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock and roll, and Newton-John has aided in that process, and has served as an influence and trailblazer for other artists that followed in her footsteps, especially women.

Overall, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ought to get more “physical” and induct her in. She would make a solid choice as a future female inductee either as an “Early Influence” or in the “Performers” category. Her music has become a part of the American Songbook, and is a soundtrack to people’s lives.

To learn more about iconic actress and singer Olivia Newton-John, visit her official website.

Markos Papadatos
Written By

Markos Papadatos is Digital Journal's Editor-at-Large for Music News. Papadatos is a Greek-American journalist and educator that has authored over 20,000 original articles over the past 18 years. He has interviewed some of the biggest names in music, entertainment, lifestyle, magic, and sports. He is a 16-time "Best of Long Island" winner, where for three consecutive years (2020, 2021, and 2022), he was honored as the "Best Long Island Personality" in Arts & Entertainment, an honor that has gone to Billy Joel six times.

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