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Wednesday, August 10, 2022

'Grease,' 'Xanadu' Star Olivia Olivia Newton-John Dead At 73

One of the biggest pop stars of the '70s and actress Olivia Newton-John has died at the age of 73.

"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 on Instagram on Monday. "Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer."

She gave an indelible performance in the role of Sandy in a film version of the musical, Grease. Olivia sang three of the movie's hit singles: "You're The One That I Want," "Hopelessly Devoted to You" and "Summer Nights." The box-office hit also won her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actress.

She also played the lead role in Xanadu.

Physical was hailed by many critics as her best album, and its title track topped the Billboard chart for 10 weeks.

She was Country Music Association Female Vocalist of the Year in 1974 and a Grammy winner for Best Female Country Vocalist.

Olivia was also an advocate of humanitarian and health issues.

She married Matt Lattanzi in 1984, and John Easterling in 2008.

She fought breast cancer twice before it returned in 2018.

(Photo: Eva Rinaldi)

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ABBA, Elton John Share TikTok Mash-Up Of 'Chiquitita,' 'Bennie And The Jets'

Elton John and ABBA recently shared an incredible mash-up of "Chiquitita" and "Bennie and the Jets" on TikTok.

"Heard about this little mashup of Bennie and the Jets with @ABBA and had to get involved," Elton captioned the video, adding the hashtags "#piano #bennieandthejets #abba #eltonjohn #remix #pop #chiquitita"

ABBA's official TikTok account also shows the video with the caption, "Heard that 'Chiquitita' was trending again.with @Elton John!"

The clip shows Benny Andersson playing the iconic intro to ABBA's 1979 hit "Chiquitita" on a black grand piano in what appears to be a studio. Elton then appears onscreen, sitting at a brown piano and launching into the intro to his 1973 hit "Bennie and the Jets" before flashing a wide grin.

ABBA and Elton remotely performed a live rendition of each of their songs before they were blended in the TikTok app.

(Photo: Baillie Walsh)

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Metallica Team Up With 'Stranger Things' To Launch 'Hellfire Club' Merch

Metallica have teamed up with "Stranger Things<" to launch a new line of "Hellfire Club"-themed merchandise.

The metal icons' 1986 track "Master Of Puppets" soundtracked a scene in the finale of the Netflix show's fourth season. In the final episode of the 4th season, Eddie Munson (Joseph Quinn) plays the song on guitar to distract hundreds of demonic bats as his friends attack the villain Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower). Munson is the leader of the "Hellfire Club," a Dungeons & Dragons group at Hawkins High.

"Eddie, this one's for you," Metallica wrote to announce the new merch line. "We're having the most metal meeting ever of The Hellfire Club so we're scouting out 'lost sheep' and outsiders to join. Do you think you have what it takes? Then suit up."

The "Metallica x Stranger Things" collection is available now via the band's official store and the official Netflix shop.

Three items are on sales, a Raglan sleeve jersey for $39.99, a t-shirt for 34.99 and a hoodie for $59.99. Each piece is emblazoned with the Hellfire Club logo and emblem as well as the iconic Metallica logo.

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