Joyous new book by Miranda Young offers previously untold stories in celebration of Australia’s sweetheart
It’s true that everybody loved Olivia Newton-John, but there was a lot more to her than just being the golden-voiced songbird.
In a new book just released by Wilkinson Publishing, Australian music industry identity and author Miranda Young has unearthed amazing new stories about not just Olivia’s life, but her musical world and legacy as well.
More of an uplifting tribute to a homegrown global icon than “another biography”, Young started writing Olivia: Grace and Gratitude shortly after news broke that ONJ had passed.
Consulting the many and varied music contacts in her little black book, she discovered those who knew and loved Olivia personally – including family – were only too happy to share their fondest memories. The resulting anecdotes offer intimate insight into the woman, the superstar, the entrepreneur, the activist, the mother … stories that the public and her fans would never have heard about.
Discover who gave Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum his first hat, Richard Wilkins‘ behind-the-scenes memories with ONJ at the G’Day LA Awards and who slept in Olivia’s Malibu house, next to her Xanadu roller-skates and that Grease jacket!
Featuring two think pieces by renowned Melbourne musicologists Dr Frederic Kiernan and Dr Kat Nelligan, this book is also a thoughtful study of the late pop icon’s music over the decades, offering an understanding of why so many fans from Australia and around the world feel so deeply connected with ‘our Olivia’.
Olivia: Grace and Gratitude is a heartfelt love letter from a unified Australian music community. The book builds a total picture of Olivia with stunning images and often humorous anecdotes illustrating her countless achievements, music and legacies.
Available to order now at https://www.wilkinsonpublishing.com.au/product/olivia-grace-and-gratitude/ref/21 as well as all good bookstores and online retailers.
About the author: Miranda Young has over twenty years of music and film research under her belt; in the past, she has worked with Molly Meldrum, at Mushroom Records’ White Label, written for music press in the 90s and collaborated on several music books with Jeff Jenkins and Tony Mott. She is married to Melbourne’s first Night Mayor, James Young, and they are happy co-owners of iconic rock and roll venues Cherry Bar and Yah Yahs.
