Dame Olivia Newton-John was more than an entertainer.
She was “a light,” according to actress Goldie Hawn.
“A light landed on this planet 73 years ago. Her voice brought us to such joyous heights, nothing held her back, nothing,” Hawn wrote in a recent post.
Newton-John was a singer, actress, and activist best known for her starring role as Sandy in “Grease” and her song “Physical.”
Newton-John recently passed away from breast cancer at the age of 73.
According to CNN, she revealed in 2018 that she was treating cancer at the base of her spine. She also fought off breast cancer twice before in the early 90s and 2017.
“Dame Olivia Newton-John passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” her husband, John Easterling, wrote in a statement. “Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.”
Many people whose lives Newton-John touched paid homage to her in various capacities.
“Her mind was strong and heroic. Olivia’s light will continue to shine and will never flicker. Never. Rest sweetheart. Rest peacefully, you are Love,” Hawn wrote on her Instagram page.
The homage was posted along with a video of several heavy hitters, including Hawn, Newton-John, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Cher, and Bette Mider, singing Louie Armstrong’s “What A Wonderful World.”
“I’ve read so many tributes to ONJ but this one made me cry. Such a beautiful soul and shining light,” wrote a commenter on Hawn’s post.
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That post ended up going viral and was liked more than 381,000 times.
The full version of that video on YouTube has been viewed more than 3.8 million times.
“RIP Olivia Newton-John, you had a voice like an Angel and you were forever be missed,” one commenter wrote.
“It makes me sad to think if this was done again today it would be extremely elaborate,” said another. “The singers would be half dressed and it wouldn’t look genuine like it did here. I miss the simple times.”
“Olivia’s voice is more supple and flexible than the others, which allows her to add emotion. She’s the best of them that sang,” and another.
The performance was from “An Evening with Friends of the Environment” filmed at the L.A. outdoor Greek Theater in front of a live audience.
The evening of music and comedy was hosted by Meryl Street, who was raising awareness about pesticides and formed the group Mothers and Others, served as a benefit to protect the environment.
This song was the final act of the show. “What a Wonderful World” was written by Bob Thiele and Geroge David Weiss and was first recorded by Armstrong in 1967.
It immediately topped the pop chart in the U.K.
It didn’t do as well in the U.S. because Larry Newton, president of ABC Records, refused to promote it because he didn’t like it. His attempt to squash the song in the U.S. failed. It was later used in the film “Good Morning, Vietnam” and reissued as a single in 1988. It rose to 32 on the Billboard 100 in the U.S. and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999.
Check out the full video of the performance below!
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