Alright, let me walk you through how I put together that Olivia Newton John tribute post today. Started this morning digging through my old physical photo binders – yeah, I keep actual print collections from back when magazines were the main thing.
The Hunt Begins
Pulled out my vintage storage boxes labeled “70s-80s Icons”. Had to wipe dust off those things, smelled like attic nostalgia. Flipped through decades of Rolling Stone issues and concert pamphlets I’d saved. Found my grease-stained “Grease” program from ’78 mixed in there.
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What I was hunting for:
- Her pre-Grease folk era shots
- That iconic leather jacket look
- 80s neon workout gear moments
- Raw backstage candids
Damn scanner gave me grief for two hours straight. First it ate a corner of that denim-on-the-beach Polaroid, then the color calibration went psychedelic on her “Physical” leotard shot. Nearly threw the thing out the window.
The Sorting Struggle
Ended with like 85 photos on my floor – total chaos. Spread ’em across the living room carpet. My cat tried claiming the Xanadu sparkle dress pic as a nap spot. Used my wife’s red yarn (from her knitting stash, sorry babe) to group eras.
Knew I wanted variety:
Not just Grease (though come on, you need those leather pants)
Not just young Olivia (that 90s garden charity series slays)
Not overly polished (give me the shots where she’s mid-laugh)
Heartbreak Cuts
Hardest part was axing that gorgeous studio outtake with the feathered hair. Couldn’t find both high resolution and composition balance. Almost quit at 11 photos before cutting three similar beach shots. Snipped them with kitchen scissors – dramatic but necessary.
The final ten?
- That smoky bar stage shot from ’73
- Danny’s horrified face with Sandy’s perm reveal
- Rainbow roller-rink jacket during the Totally Hot tour
- Honestly? You already saw the rest in the post
Took twice as long as planned but felt proper by sundown. Deleted three Instagram drafts before posting – nothing fake deserves Olivia’s legacy.
