Olivia Newton John
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2022 5:27 pm
I was called to back her up in a full symphony orchestra concert several years ago.
She was still very beautiful (I remember her appearing just as in this particular picture that I found), still sang absolutely as well as ever, and sang in all of her original keys. I believe she really liked country music the best, as her first L.P. hinted at that and - at the show - did a fairly lengthy (no orchestra) country "mini-set".
Of course, I didn't (as I never do) go up to her and ask for a picture or anything, and never spoke a word to/with her.
Having heard/played-behind the Canadian Brass a few times over the years (and even having been a close friend of Ryan Anthony, and even having met Charlie's sister - ironically - when playing a brass quintet gig), I never actually spoke a word to Charlie Daellenbach until he needed to call me about something...I just don't ever bother celebrities - or even "semi-celebrities".
I did - though sit out in the hall and listen to her and her rhythm section/back-up singers practice their country set (during our lunch break).
She was worth hearing for as many rehearsals and run-throughs as might be done. ...nothing piped in through the speakers, no auto-tune, just artistry.
At that time she was already fighting cancer (but no outward signs of it at all), though anyone with any sort of cancer (or serious illness, or any illness) knows what a struggle it is to get up in the morning and just "do", MUCH LESS (truly) sparkle, as did she.
She was still very beautiful (I remember her appearing just as in this particular picture that I found), still sang absolutely as well as ever, and sang in all of her original keys. I believe she really liked country music the best, as her first L.P. hinted at that and - at the show - did a fairly lengthy (no orchestra) country "mini-set".
Of course, I didn't (as I never do) go up to her and ask for a picture or anything, and never spoke a word to/with her.
Having heard/played-behind the Canadian Brass a few times over the years (and even having been a close friend of Ryan Anthony, and even having met Charlie's sister - ironically - when playing a brass quintet gig), I never actually spoke a word to Charlie Daellenbach until he needed to call me about something...I just don't ever bother celebrities - or even "semi-celebrities".
I did - though sit out in the hall and listen to her and her rhythm section/back-up singers practice their country set (during our lunch break).
She was worth hearing for as many rehearsals and run-throughs as might be done. ...nothing piped in through the speakers, no auto-tune, just artistry.
At that time she was already fighting cancer (but no outward signs of it at all), though anyone with any sort of cancer (or serious illness, or any illness) knows what a struggle it is to get up in the morning and just "do", MUCH LESS (truly) sparkle, as did she.