Her career took off in 1971 with the release of her first solo album, “If Not for You.” The album featured a song written by Bob Dylan. And her version hit gold.
It made it to No. 1 on the US Adult Contemporary chart and No. 25 on the pop charts. The singer-songwriter won three Grammys in the mid-1970s.
She performed across genres winning Best Country Vocal Performance, for “Let Me Be There” in 1974. And won Record of the Year and Best Pop Vocal Performance, for the haunting version “I Honestly Love You” in 1975.
In 1978 Newton-John starred in “Grease” alongside John Travolta. She portrayed an Australian student Sandy Olsson who transferred into a 1960’s school. The musical film became the biggest blockbuster of 1978.
The Grease soundtrack sold 28 million copies making it one of the highest-selling records of all time.
Newton-John’s and Travolta’s duet of “You’re the One That I Want,” was #1 on the pop charts. And her rendition of “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” made it to # 3.
“Grease” co-star John Travolta, who lost his wife Kelly Preston to breast cancer in 2020 posted a tribute on Instagram to pay tribute to his longtime friend “You made our lives so much better. Your impact was incredible,” he said.
