Olivia Newton-John death: Her final candid interview with The West Australian before tour with John Farnham

Main Image: Olivia Newton-John in Perth in 2012. Credit: Simon Santi/WA News

Steve ButlerThe West Australian
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Ocker, engaging and self-deprecating in the cutest manner, Olivia Newton-John revealed in 2015 just how much the WA rose named in her honour meant to her.

In an exclusive interview with The West Australian to promote a Margaret River concert with her old friend John Farnham, the singing superstar showed all the honesty and naivety that made her the easily-loveable girl next door.

When asked if it had been 17 years since she performed in WA with Farnham, Newton-John did not even pretend that she could remember.

“Please don’t ask me dates,” she said bluntly before launching into the most beautiful and infectious cackle of laughter.

“I’m terrible with years and dates, I haven’t got a clue. It all flies by doesn’t it.”

Tomorrow, The West Australian pays tribute to Australia’s sweetheart, Olivia Newton-John, in a special 12-page wrap. Her life, her music, her legacy. A life well lived in photos. Only in The West Australian.

Having started the conversation with a hearty “G’day mate”, Newton-John explained that she was doing the interview from her dressing room while preparing for a gig at Flamingo Las Vegas.

She candidly explained she was putting on her mascara while chatting and had a single roller in her hair.

“All the girls will relate,” she said with a trademark giggle.

Camera IconThe Olivia Newton-John rose. Credit: Unknown/Dawsons Garden World

“I love roses but when they asked me if they could do that, I was very flattered and very thrilled,” she said.

“It is a beautiful flower and when people buy it the money goes to the hospital, so it’s extra special. It’s an honour to have something named after you, but particularly a rose because I love them.”

Newton-John said the roses were also planted at the Gaia Retreat and Spa she co-founded in NSW in 2005 and was sad she could not import them to her Californian home because of Customs restrictions.

The singer’s passion for roses even extended to the naming of her daughter, Chloe Rose Lattanzi.

The Olivia Newton-John rose was sourced from a British breeder by Landsdale Rose Gardens founder Peter Nosow, who later also created the Our Honey Olivia. Mr Nosow said $1 from each bush sold anywhere in Australia went to the wellness centre.

Newton-John’s 2015 concert with Farnham at the Sandalford Winery in Margaret River was a spectacular musical occasion with a 60-piece orchestra at Sandalford Winery.

Camera IconJohn Farnham and Olivia Newton-John. Credit: Unknown/Supplied by Subject

“It’s a beautiful thing to sing with a big orchestra ... just the lushness of having the strings and horn section behind you,” she gushed.

“It just creates a different kid of atmosphere.”

She and Farnham sang together several times over many years in what she described as a fun pairing.

“I met John years and years ago in England when we were all teenagers and he was over there working ... we were kind of the Aussie mafia, you know,” she said.

“I feel like I’ve known him most of my life, on-and-off ... and I’ve always been a huge fan of his. I think he’s just the most amazing singer, one of my favourite singers of these times, for sure. We have fun together and our voices go well together.”

Camera IconThe pair were a hit on stage at Sandalford Winery. Credit: Austin Russell/Austin Russell

She said she remained grateful that Farnham had also given his time as her special guest to sing at a charity event at her Cancer, Wellness and Research Centre in 2014.

Remarkably, for a performer who seemed so confident and comfortable in front of any audience, Newton-John also admitted she waged a career-long battle with stage fright.

“I still get nervous ... I think that’s part of it,” she said.

“I think that’s normal and natural, but sometimes it’s worse than others. You just do it anyway and it gives you the adrenaline to get you out there.”

Newton-John said she had always retained special memories of visiting WA.

“I love Perth, it’s a beautiful city and I’ve been there many times over the past 50 years I’ve been singing,” she crooned.

“I love the gorgeous beaches and the beautiful red soil and each time we’ve been we’ve gone to a beautiful restaurant on the beach. I have very fond memories of Perth, it’s lovely.”