Olivia Newton John: Travolta's Love Interest & Tragic Passing

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Discussion Overview

The thread discusses the legacy of Olivia Newton-John, particularly her role in the movie "Grease," her passing, and various personal reflections on her impact. Participants share memories, opinions on her performances, and connections to other figures in the entertainment industry.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Meta-discussion

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express nostalgia for Olivia Newton-John's role in "Grease," noting her appeal and the sadness surrounding her passing.
  • Several posts mention Max Born's granddaughter, indicating a connection to notable figures in science and expressing surprise at this relationship.
  • There are reflections on the nature of musical performances in "Grease," with some participants reminiscing about the spontaneous singing and dancing depicted in the film.
  • One participant humorously discusses their confusion over the lyrics of a song from "Grease," suggesting a playful engagement with the film's music.
  • Opinions vary on specific songs from the film, with some participants expressing preferences for certain tracks over others and commenting on the quality of John Travolta's singing.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a mix of personal memories and opinions, with no clear consensus on the significance of specific songs or performances. Some agree on the emotional impact of Olivia's passing, while others focus on different aspects of her career and the film.

Contextual Notes

Some participants reference their experiences and connections to the film and its music, which may influence their perspectives. There are also mentions of differing opinions on the quality and appeal of various tracks from "Grease."

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in film history, musical performances, and the cultural impact of celebrities may find this discussion engaging.

Ivan Seeking
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As John Travolta said when they asked about having Olivia as his love interest in the movie Grease, everyone wanted Olivia for a girlfriend. I had a crush on her for decades. LOL! And it was very sad to hear of her passing. I found this especially touching and sad. Both of his brothers are gone and now so is she.

 
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Max Born's granddaughter.
 
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Vanadium 50 said:
Max Born's granddaughter.
YES! I only learned that after she died.
 
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This was her last performance - in 2020

 
A lot of young people today may not realize that it really used to be like this. One moment everyone is at an amusement park minding their own business, and the next moment, everyone starts singing and dancing.

 
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Ivan Seeking said:
A lot of young people today may not realize that it really used to be like this. One moment everyone is at an amusement park minding their own business, and the next moment, everyone starts singing and dancing.


After seeing this thread the other day, I went to solve one of the great mysteries : what words are they singing in the chorus of that song ? So, the lyrics are supposed to be "You're the one that I want"... but, they're actually singing "yathewallaballawoo" which is what I remember. Still mystified ; still under the impression that motorboating may be involved.
 
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I learned about Max Born's granddaughter from Dr Emil Wolf after taking a course from him in 1978, when "grease" was big. Dr Emil Wolf was coauthor of "Principles of Optics" with Max Born
 
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She was lovely wasn’t she?

1690804107761.png


My favourite was always “Sam”
 
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I thought this was a bit sloppy in 1978, a girl track. Much preferred Grease lightning and yurwallloawon.
I like it now.

 
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And this, the video is strange. I never saw the film but I recognised "Swan" from "The warriors," Michael Beck. Great track though.

 
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pinball1970 said:
I thought this was a bit sloppy in 1978, a girl track. Much preferred Grease lightning and yurwallloawon.
I like it now.
That was hers, originally ; go figger. Back in the day I thought it was a cover : it has a Sinatra vibe.

Really surprised at the quality of Travolta's vocal chops, though.
 
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hmmm27 said:
That was hers, originally ; go figger. Back in the day I thought it was a cover : it has a Sinatra vibe.

Really surprised at the quality of Travolta's vocal chops, though.
Yeah decent range on him.
 

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