Physical Tour

The Physical Tour (also known as the Physical Tour of North America and North American Tour '82) was the fifth concert tour by Australian recording artist Olivia Newton-John, in support of her 12th studio album, Physical (1981). The tour primarily visited North America[2] the second largest by Newton-John, visiting arenas and stadiums.

Physical Tour
Tour by Olivia Newton-John
Cover of tour programme
Associated albumPhysical
Start date9 August 1982 (1982-08-09)[1]
End date23 October 1982 (1982-10-23)
Legs1
No. of shows53 in North America
Olivia Newton-John concert chronology

The show had advanced technical aspects at the time, and was divided into four segments, determined by Newton-John costume changes and a video interlude.[3] The tour was a commercial success and received generally positive reviews, regarded as one of the most popular and most remembered shows by the singer.[4] Footage from the tour has been broadcast on a number of channels across the world. Olivia in Concert, a concert home video of Newton-John's performance in Ogden, Utah, was released in 1983.[5]

Background and development

Billboard announced in July 1982 that Newton-John would embark upon a 50-date North American tour from early August, her first in four years, with a TV concert special, also was confirmed.[6] Newton-John stated that this would be her last tour to concentrate on her film career.[1] However, after the failure of the film Two of a Kind (1983), which she starred again with John Travolta, her film career went on hiatus, and she would return to touring 16 years after this tour.

The first attempts for the setlist included the songs "Come on Over", "Don't Stop Believin'", "Pony Ride" and the music video for "Stranger's Touch" (from Olivia Physical) as a video interlude.[7] The jazz musician Tom Scott was the tour musical director and also played saxophone in the band. He also served as the opening act, performing songs from his album Desire (1982).[3] Olivia's personal friend, Karen Carpenter, attended various tour shows, and considered the possibility of drumming during a few concerts, but dropped because of her deteriorating health.[8] John Travolta also attended a show, and joined the stage with Newton-John.

The stage was created by Kenny Ortega, who also choreographed Newton-John music videos for "Physical" and "The Rumour". The technical features used in concert includes a glittery substance falling during "Silvery Rain", and three videos: an introduction montage about Olivia's career, the music video for "The Promise (The Dolphin Song)" as a video interlude, and screened credits for the band and crew members at the concert ending.[3] Newton-John also jumped rope through "Physical".[9] During a 1983 article for People, Newton-John declared she didn't like to tour in 1982: "Every night was like déja vu. You say to yourself, 'Haven't I just done this?'"[2]

Legacy

Robert Hilburn from Los Angeles Times compared Debbie Gibson performance on her Out of the Blue Tour with Newton-John's Physical Tour, commenting that "recalled the most triumphant moments of Olivia Newton-John's 1982 'Physical' tour" and "as the evening progressed, it became clear that Newton-John (who exhibited a similar aerobic energy, sparkling smile and even blonde bangs) was a closer parallel".[10] British duo Goldfrapp performed a cover of "Physical" on their 2001 concert tour. Alison Goldfrapp herself said later that Newton-John is one of the duo inspirations.[11]

Critical response

Jon Pareles from The New York Times commented that "purists may be offended – particularly in country music, where she dallied awhile – but pop singers like Miss Newton-John make new styles safe for mass audiences just as they're on the way out. [...] Miss Newton-John has a nearly colorless voice, distinguished mainly by the break between a perky chest register and a fragile head voice. Yet it is also extremely adaptable; onstage, she summoned country's quavers, disco's melismas, pop's directness and hard rock's percussive staccato. She sounds delicate on her records, but she sang a 90-minute set with no obvious strain."[9]

Paul Grein from Billboard wrote: "Newton-John first local apparition in five years – since her co-starring role in Grease revived and redirected her career – was a total triumph, eliciting the boisterous fan response normally seen only at rock shows. [...] Newton-John also sings with greater strengths and conviction, even on the older ballads. Her emphatic vocals gave an extra emotional dimension to the rueful 'Sam' and the plaintive 'Please Mr. Please'."[3]

Commercial reception

The tour performed in 40 cities throughout North America, with a total of 562,428 tickets sold.[2][4] The Exhibition Stadium show in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, had all of the 24,789 tickets sold. Based on 13 shows, Billboard Boxscore reported a gross of $$2,074,051. Items related to the tour that were sold include clothings,[12] buttons[13] and the tourbook.[14]

Broadcast and recordings
Main article: Olivia in Concert

The tour video recording was filmed in Ogden, Utah, on 12–13 October 1982.[5] An interesting fact is that "Physical" has caused controversy in Utah after two radio stations banned the song because "lyrics are more suggestive than most songs".[15] The video was premiered on HBO on 23 January 1983, as Olivia: Live in Concert TV special.[4] It was later released on VHS and laserdisc by MCA Home Video as Olivia in Concert,[5] becoming a critical and commercial success.

The video release peaked at #15 on Billboard Top Videodisks and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for shipment of 50,000 units in the United States.[16] The video also gave for Newton-John nominations for a Grammy Award for Best Long Form Music Video and a CableACE Award for Actress in a Variety Program.[17] People wrote: "Mini-clad and punk-coiffed, Livvy rocks her way through a concert taped at Weber State College in Utah. "Xanadu" and "Heart Attack" are fetching, but "Physical" is the aerobic showstopper".[18]

Opening act

Setlist
  • "Video Sequence" (contains elements from "I Honestly Love You", "You're the One That I Want", "A Little More Love", "Xanadu" and "Physical")
Act 1
  1. "Deeper Than the Night"
  2. "Have You Never Been Mellow"
  3. "Let Me Be There" / "If Not for You" / "Please Mr. Please" / "If You Love Me (Let Me Know)"
  4. "Jolene"
  5. "Sam"
  • "Video Sequence"
Act 2
  1. "Xanadu"
  2. "Magic"
  3. "Suddenly" (performed with Dennis Tufano)
  4. "A Little More Love"
  • "Video Sequence" (contains elements of "The Promise (The Dolphin Song)")
Act 3
  1. "Silvery Rain"
  2. "Falling"
  3. "Heart Attack"
  4. "Make a Move on Me"
  5. "Hopelessly Devoted to You"
  6. "You're the One That I Want" (performed with Tufano)
Encore
  1. "Physical"
  2. "I Honestly Love You"

Known tour dates
Date City Country Venue
North America[19]
9 August 1982 Columbia United States Merriweather Post Pavilion
10 August 1982
11 August 1982 Philadelphia The Spectrum
13 August 1982 New York City Forest Hills Stadium
14 August 1982
15 August 1982
16 August 1982 Hartford Hartford Civic Center
18 August 1982 Saratoga Springs Saratoga Performing Arts Center
19 August 1982 Portland Cumberland County Civic Center
20 August 1982 Providence Providence Civic Center
22 August 1982 Clarkston Pine Knob Music Theatre
23 August 1982
25 August 1982 Montreal Canada Montreal Forum
26 August 1982 Toronto CNE Grandstand
28 August 1982 Richfield Township United States The Coliseum at Richfield
29 August 1982 Hoffman Estates Poplar Creek Music Theater
30 August 1982
2 September 1982 Dallas Reunion Arena
3 September 1982 Houston The Summit
4 September 1982 Austin Frank Erwin Center
5 September 1982 Baton Rouge LSU Assembly Center
8 September 1982 Mobile Mobile Municipal Arena
9 September 1982 Atlanta Omni Coliseum
10 September 1982
11 September 1982 Charlotte Charlotte Coliseum
12 September 1982 Murfreesboro Murphy Center
14 September 1982 Buffalo Buffalo Memorial Auditorium
15 September 1982 Pittsburgh Civic Arena
16 September 1982 Champaign Assembly Hall
18 September 1982 Lexington Rupp Arena
19 September 1982 St. Louis The Checkerdome
21 September 1982 Tulsa Mabee Center
22 September 1982 Oklahoma City Myriad Convention Center Arena
24 September 1982 Kansas City Kemper Arena
25 September 1982 Ames Hilton Coliseum
26 September 1982 Saint Paul St. Paul Civic Center
28 September 1982 Denver McNichols Sports Arena
1 October 1982 Oakland Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
2 October 1982 Fresno Selland Arena
3 October 1982 Davis Recreation Hall
5 October 1982 Los Angeles Universal Amphitheatre
6 October 1982
7 October 1982
8 October 1982
10 October 1982 Las Vegas Aladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts
11 October 1982
12 October 1982 Ogden Dee Events Center
13 October 1982
15 October 1982 Tempe ASU Activity Center
16 October 1982 San Diego San Diego Sports Arena
20 October 1982 Irvine Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
22 October 1982
23 October 1982

Box office score data
Venue City Tickets sold / Available Gross revenue
The Spectrum Philadelphia 11,700 / 13,500 (87%) $156,747[20]
Hartford Civic Center Hartford 10,433 / 16,000 (65%) $150,627[20]
CNE Grandstand Toronto 24,789 / 24,789 (100%) $327,398[21]
Reunion Arena Dallas 11,504 / 19,012 (61%) $166,585[22]
Frank Erwin Center Austin 12,494 / 14,259 (88%) $177,267[23]
Murphy Center Murfreesboro 10,103 / 12,224 (83%) $137,857[24]
Civic Arena Pittsburgh 13,131 / 15,000 (88%) $183,874[25]
Kemper Arena Kansas City 11,151 / 12,230 (91%) $159,510[26]
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena Oakland 11,951 / 14,500 (82%) $174,050[25]
Selland Arena Fresno 6,362 / 7,348 (87%) $96,382[25]
Recreation Hall Davis 6,574 / 8,397 (78%) $99,926[25]
ASU Activity Center Tempe 8,592 / 14,099 (61%) $127,950[27]
San Diego Sports Arena San Diego 8,060 / 11,300 (71%) $115,878[27]
TOTAL 146,844 / 182,658 (80%) $2,074,051

Personnel

Source:[28]

  • Olivia Newton-John's official website

References
  1. Scott, Vernon (5 July 1982). "Olivia Newton-John On The Road Again". Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Sarasota, Florida: Lindsay Newspapers, Inc. 57 (275): 5C. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  2. Arrington, Carl (19 December 1983). "Animal Magnetism". People. Archived from the original on 28 July 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  3. "Talent In Action: Olivia Newton-John/Tom Scott". Billboard. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications, Inc. 94 (42): 33. 23 October 1982. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  4. "Olivia, you're one hot number". Billboard. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications, Inc. 94 (51). 25 December 1982. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  5. "Only Olivia – Olivia in Concert".
  6. "Kragen Reports Rogers' RCA Deal". Billboard. New York City, New York: Billboard Publications, Inc. 94 (26): 10. 3 July 1982. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  7. "Olivia Newton-John Tour 1982 - Setlist as of 7/11/1982". On the Road Blog. 11 July 1982. Archived from the original on 21 January 2013. Retrieved 27 May 2010.
  8. Schmidt, Randy (17 May 2010). Google Books – Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter. ISBN 9781569766941.
  9. "Pop: Olivia Newton-John". New York Times.
  10. "Los Angeles Times – Pop Music Review: Gibson Wins Teen Queen Crown".
  11. "Xtra! – Goldfrapp on the new album and drawing inspiration from Olivia Newton-John".
  12. "More Than Physical – Physical Tour t-shirt".
  13. "Portrait Button of Olivia Live on Stage during the "Physical Tour"". Acme Toy Company. Archived from the original on 6 February 2005.
  14. "Market Place Advisor – Olivia Newton-John 1982 TourBook". Archived from the original on 19 January 2013.
  15. "EW – Olivia Gets 'Physical'".
  16. Nielsen Business Media, Inc (23 February 1985). Google Books – Billboard 23 fev. 1985.
  17. "IMDB – Awards for 'Olivia in Concert'".
  18. "People – Picks and Pans Review: Olivia Newton-John Special".
  19. "Itinerary: Olivia Newton-John North American Tour 1982". An Evening with Olivia Newton-John/Olivia Newton-John: Live in Concert. August 1982. Archived from the original on 29 July 2019. Retrieved 28 July 2019 – via Only Olivia.
  20. "Boxscore". Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee: Billboard Publications, Inc. 94 (33): 27. 28 August 1982. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  21. "Boxscore". Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee: Billboard Publications, Inc. 94 (36): 34. 11 September 1982. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  22. "Boxscore". Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee: Billboard Publications, Inc. 94 (37): 46. 18 September 1982. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  23. "Boxscore". Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee: Billboard Publications, Inc. 94 (38): 44. 25 September 1982. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  24. "Boxscore". Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee: Billboard Publications, Inc. 94 (39): 49. 2 October 1982. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  25. "Boxscore". Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee: Billboard Publications, Inc. 94 (41): 46. 16 October 1982. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  26. "Boxscore". Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee: Billboard Publications, Inc. 94 (40): 34. 9 October 1982. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  27. "Boxscore". Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee: Billboard Publications, Inc. 94 (43): 52. 30 October 1982. ISSN 0006-2510. Retrieved 28 July 2019.
  28. "IMDB – Full cast and crew for 'Olivia in Concert'".
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