Olivia Newton-John competed in Eurovision before her film debut in Grease
Olivia Newton-John, the iconic music and cinema star, made her mark on the international stage in 1974 when she participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. Representing the United Kingdom with the song "Long Live Love," the song composed by Valerie Avon and Harold Spiro, she brought her unique voice to the competition.
In the 1974 contest, Olivia Newton-John performed "Long Live Love" live on the Eurovision stage. Despite her notable singing career, she did not take first place; the winning song of that year was Sweden's "Waterloo" by ABBA.
"Long Live Love" was a popular choice among the audience, garnering 27,387 votes, making it the audience's favourite of the competition. Interestingly, it placed fourth overall, receiving 14 points. Spain's Peret and his "Canta y sé feliz" placed ninth, four points behind Olivia Newton-John.
This performance was an early highlight in Olivia Newton-John's international career and remains part of Eurovision history. In the same year, she also won a Grammy for Best Country Artist, further cementing her place in the music industry.
Five years later, Olivia Newton-John and ABBA would reunite at the Music for UNICEF charity concert, marking a memorable moment for both artists.
Born in Cambridge, England, in 1948, Olivia Newton-John moved to Australia with her family when she was five years old. It was in Australia that she began her musical career, leading to her global success in the 1970s and 1980s.
Olivia Newton-John is perhaps best known worldwide for her role as Sandy Olsson in Grease, a role she played in 1978. Her last public appearance was at the Grateful Dead: Fare Thee Well concerts in 2015.
Sadly, Olivia Newton-John passed away at the age of 73 on Monday in California. Her contributions to music and cinema will continue to be celebrated and remembered.
Olivia Newton-John's performance of "Long Live Love" at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest didn't clinch the first place, but it achieved considerable popularity among the audience, being the audience's favorite with 27,387 votes. In the realm of entertainment, not just music and tv, but also pop-culture, Olivia Newton-John is renowned for her successful career, her memorable role in Grease, and her impact on the international stage, earning her an average ranking of fourth in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest.
