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Olivia Newton-John performing at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton

ABBA share tributes to friend Olivia Newton-John

09 August 2022 at 16:30 CEST
Olivia Newton-John performing at the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton BBC
Eurovision participant and global superstar Olivia Newton-John has passed away ‘peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California’, according to her husband.

Olivia took part in the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest, held in Brighton in the United Kingdom. She finished 4th with the song Long Live Love, in the same Contest won by Swedish band ABBA.

Members of ABBA have shared their tributes to singer, with Agnetha Fältskog saying: 

‘A fine person has left us – and there are many of us who mourn her now. My thoughts go out to the family, and her music and personality will always remain in memory.’

Anni-Frid Lyngstad added:

‘The heart aches to know Olivia’s brave fight against an, in her case, invincible enemy. That she never gave up or complained about her situation, but instead told us her story so that we would understand and want to help others affected.

I am grateful to have known a person like you Olivia and you will always be in my heart.’

Like ABBA, Olivia went on to great success after Eurovision, landing the iconic role of Sandy in the 1978 big screen adaptation of Grease, teaming up with the Electric Light Orchestra for the Xanadu soundtrack, and releasing chart hits such as Heart Attack and Physical.

Olivia is also widely regarded for her animal rights and environmental activism, as well as raising awareness of breast cancer.