Olivia Newton-John and Elton John are two of the most iconic singers of all time. They have both achieved worldwide fame and success with their catchy songs and memorable performances. They have also collaborated on several occasions, such as singing a duet for the animated film The Road to El Dorado and performing together at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. But are they related by blood or just by name?
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The Origin of Their Last Names
The answer is no, Olivia Newton-John and Elton John are not related. They do not share any common ancestors or family ties. In fact, their last names are not even their original ones. They both changed their names when they started their music careers.
Olivia Newton-John was born in Cambridge, England, on September 26, 1948. Her parents were Brinley Newton-John and Irene Helene, who were both of Welsh descent. Her father was a professor and a secret MI5 officer, while her mother was a writer and an environmentalist. Olivia inherited her father’s surname, which he had adopted from his grandfather, who was born John Newton.
Elton John was born in Pinner, Middlesex, England, on March 25, 1947. His birth name was Reginald Kenneth Dwight. His parents were Stanley Dwight and Sheila Eileen, who were both of English origin. His father was a Royal Air Force flight lieutenant, while his mother was a housewife. Elton took his stage name from two of his musical influences: blues singer Long John Baldry and saxophonist Elton Dean.
Their Friendship and Collaboration
Although Olivia Newton-John and Elton John are not related, they have been close friends for decades. They met in the early 1970s, when they were both rising stars in the music industry. They admired each other’s work and supported each other’s careers.
In 1975, Olivia Newton-John recorded a cover version of Elton John’s song “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” for her album Clearly Love. She also sang backup vocals on his song “The Bitch Is Back” for his album Caribou. In 1976, Elton John invited her to join him on stage at his concert at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, where they sang “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” together.
In 2000, Olivia Newton-John and Elton John teamed up again for the animated film The Road to El Dorado. They sang the theme song “Someday Out of the Blue”, which was co-written by Elton John and Tim Rice. They also performed the song live at the 2000 Sydney Olympics closing ceremony, along with other Australian artists.
In 2012, Olivia Newton-John and Elton John reunited once more for a charity concert in Las Vegas, where they sang some of their greatest hits and raised money for the Olivia Newton-John Cancer and Wellness Centre and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.
Their Legacy and Influence
Olivia Newton-John and Elton John are both legends in the music world. They have sold over 300 million records each, making them among the best-selling music artists of all time. They have also won numerous awards and honors, including Grammys, Oscars, Golden Globes, Brit Awards, ARIA Awards, Billboard Awards, Ivor Novello Awards, and more. They have both been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. They have both been appointed as Commanders of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) and have received knighthoods from Queen Elizabeth II.
Olivia Newton-John and Elton John have also inspired generations of singers and musicians with their talent and style. Some of their famous fans include Adele, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Sam Smith, Bruno Mars, Kelly Clarkson, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, Dua Lipa, Shawn Mendes, Camila Cabello, Harry Styles, Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Lorde, Troye Sivan, Billie Eilish, Lewis Capaldi, James Bay, Halsey, Charlie Puth, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik ,and many more.
Olivia Newton-John and Elton John may not be related by blood or by name but they are certainly related by music. They have shared a long-lasting friendship and collaboration that has enriched their lives and careers. They have also made a lasting impact on the music industry and culture with their songs and performances that have touched millions of hearts around the world.
