Review of Selland Arena, Fresno concert, Oct 2 1982
By Robert Hilburn
Fresno - Olivia Newton-John surprised her fans at the sold-out Selland Arena here Saturday night by bringing a friend on stage near the end of her two hour concert: John Travolta.
As the audience shrieked its approval, the actor walked on stage sheepishly hugged his co-star from Grease and then joined her on the final chorus of her recent hit “(Let’s Get) Physical”.
But that surprise was minor compared to the show’s real revelation: the blossoming of Newton-John as a performer.
Once dismissed as just another lovely face Newton-John has matured into a frequently winning performer whose most inviting moments on stage suggest much of the sexy, yet good-natured persona of a Rod Stewart.
Newton-John who’ll be at the Universal Amphitheatre tonight through Sunday as part of her first tour in five years, still includes too many wimpy songs in her set to establish her as a critical favorite, but she hit notes during the concert that once seemed far beyond her capabilities.
She also exhibited a comfortable self-assured manner that was in sharp contrast to the shy, even helpless image projected by her earlier hits.
The singer explained the breakthrough after the concert “I’m just more confident now. I can relax more and be myself on stage. I was always rigid. I was afraid to try new things, but I think I’ve gone through a lot of changes in the last five years.”
Newton-John who flew to San Francisco after the show in a five passenger seat with Travolta at the controls. acknowledged that she was hurt by much of the criticism aimed at her in the early 70s but always felt she’d eventually overcome many of the reservations.
“The truth is I just couldn’t have gone out and done anything else in those days. I needed time - emotionally - to get to where I am now. Anyone with any feelings is sensitive to criticism, but i didn’t get paranoid about it. i just took the reviews as a challenge.”