Physical Tour Explained

Concert Tour Name:Physical Tour
Landscape:no
Artist:Olivia Newton-John
Album:Physical
Number Of Legs:1
Number Of Shows:53 in North America
Last Tour:Totally Hot World Tour
(1978)
This Tour:Physical Tour
(1982)
Next Tour:The Main Event
(1998)

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[1] the second largest by Newton-John, visiting arenas and stadiums.

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. 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. 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.[2]

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.[3] Newton-John stated that this would be her last tour to concentrate on her film career.[4] 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.[5] 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). 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.[6] 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. Newton-John also jumped rope through "Physical". 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?'"[1]

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".[7] 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.[8]

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'."[10]

Commercial reception

The tour performed in 40 cities throughout North America, with a total of 562,428 tickets sold.[1] [11] 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 and a total boxscore of $8,443,043. Items related to the tour that were sold include clothing,[12] buttons[13] and the tourbook.[14]

Broadcast and recordings

See main article: Olivia in Concert. The tour video recording was filmed in Ogden, Utah, on 12–13 October 1982.[2] 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.[11] It was later released on VHS, CED and laserdisc by MCA Home Video as Olivia in Concert,[2] 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

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"
Act 2
  1. "Xanadu"
  2. "Magic"
  3. "Suddenly" (performed with Dennis Tufano)
  4. "A Little More Love"
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

DateCityCountryVenue
North America[19]
9 August 1982ColumbiaUnited StatesMerriweather Post Pavilion
10 August 1982
11 August 1982PhiladelphiaThe Spectrum
13 August 1982New York CityForest Hills Stadium
14 August 1982
15 August 1982
16 August 1982HartfordHartford Civic Center
18 August 1982Saratoga SpringsSaratoga Performing Arts Center
19 August 1982PortlandCumberland County Civic Center
20 August 1982ProvidenceProvidence Civic Center
22 August 1982ClarkstonPine Knob Music Theatre
23 August 1982
25 August 1982MontrealCanadaMontreal Forum
26 August 1982TorontoCNE Grandstand
28 August 1982Richfield TownshipUnited StatesThe Coliseum at Richfield
29 August 1982Hoffman EstatesPoplar Creek Music Theater
30 August 1982
2 September 1982DallasReunion Arena
3 September 1982HoustonThe Summit
4 September 1982AustinFrank Erwin Center
5 September 1982Baton RougeLSU Assembly Center
8 September 1982MobileMobile Municipal Arena
9 September 1982AtlantaOmni Coliseum
10 September 1982
11 September 1982CharlotteCharlotte Coliseum
12 September 1982MurfreesboroMurphy Center
14 September 1982BuffaloBuffalo Memorial Auditorium
15 September 1982PittsburghCivic Arena
16 September 1982ChampaignAssembly Hall
18 September 1982LexingtonRupp Arena
19 September 1982St. LouisThe Checkerdome
21 September 1982TulsaMabee Center
22 September 1982Oklahoma CityMyriad Convention Center Arena
24 September 1982Kansas CityKemper Arena
25 September 1982AmesHilton Coliseum
26 September 1982Saint PaulSt. Paul Civic Center
28 September 1982DenverMcNichols Sports Arena
1 October 1982OaklandOakland–Alameda County Coliseum Arena
2 October 1982FresnoSelland Arena
3 October 1982DavisRecreation Hall
5 October 1982Los AngelesUniversal Amphitheatre
6 October 1982
7 October 1982
8 October 1982
10 October 1982Las VegasAladdin Theatre for the Performing Arts
11 October 1982
12 October 1982OgdenDee Events Center
13 October 1982
15 October 1982TempeASU Activity Center
16 October 1982San DiegoSan Diego Sports Arena
20 October 1982IrvineIrvine Meadows Amphitheatre
22 October 1982
23 October 1982

Box office score data

VenueCityTickets sold / AvailableGross revenue
The SpectrumPhiladelphia11,700 / 13,500 (87%)$156,747[20]
Hartford Civic CenterHartford10,433 / 16,000 (65%)$150,627
CNE GrandstandToronto24,789 / 24,789 (100%)$327,398[21]
Reunion ArenaDallas11,504 / 19,012 (61%)$166,585[22]
Frank Erwin CenterAustin12,494 / 14,259 (88%)$177,267[23]
Murphy CenterMurfreesboro10,103 / 12,224 (83%)$137,857[24]
Civic ArenaPittsburgh13,131 / 15,000 (88%)$183,874[25]
Kemper ArenaKansas City11,151 / 12,230 (91%)$159,510[26]
Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum ArenaOakland11,951 / 14,500 (82%)$174,050
Selland ArenaFresno6,362 / 7,348 (87%)$96,382
Recreation HallDavis6,574 / 8,397 (78%)$99,926
ASU Activity CenterTempe8,592 / 14,099 (61%)$127,950[27]
San Diego Sports ArenaSan Diego8,060 / 11,300 (71%)$115,878
TOTAL146,844 / 182,658 (80%)$2,074,051

Personnel

Source:[28]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Animal Magnetism . Arrington . Carl . 19 December 1983 . . 27 May 2010 . https://archive.today/20190728214813/https://people.com/archive/cover-story-animal-magnetism-vol-20-no-25/ . 28 July 2019 . live .
  2. Web site: Only Olivia – Olivia in Concert.
  3. 3 July 1982. Kragen Reports Rogers' RCA Deal. Billboard. 94. 26. 10. New York City, New York. Billboard Publications, Inc.. 0006-2510. 27 May 2010.
  4. 5 July 1982. Olivia Newton-John On The Road Again. Sarasota Herald-Tribune. 57. 275. 5C. Sarasota, Florida. Lindsay Newspapers, Inc.. 27 May 2010. Scott. Vernon.
  5. Web site: Olivia Newton-John Tour 1982 - Setlist as of 7/11/1982 . . 11 July 1982 . On the Road Blog . 27 May 2010 . https://archive.today/20130121104002/http://www.customaudioelectronics.com/on_the_road/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ONJ-Setlist.jpg . 21 January 2013 . live .
  6. Book: Google Books – Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter. 9781569766941. Schmidt. Randy. 2010-05-17.
  7. Web site: Los Angeles Times – Pop Music Review: Gibson Wins Teen Queen Crown. . 10 August 1988 .
  8. Web site: Xtra! – Goldfrapp on the new album and drawing inspiration from Olivia Newton-John.
  9. News: Pop: Olivia Newton-John. New York Times. 16 August 1982 . Pareles . Jon .
  10. Talent In Action: Olivia Newton-John/Tom Scott. Billboard. Billboard Publications, Inc.. New York City, New York. 23 October 1982. 94 . 42. 33. 27 May 2010. 0006-2510.
  11. 25 December 1982. Olivia, you're one hot number. Billboard. 94. 51. New York City, New York. Billboard Publications, Inc.. 0006-2510. 27 May 2010.
  12. Web site: More Than Physical – Physical Tour t-shirt. 18 July 2011 .
  13. Web site: Portrait Button of Olivia Live on Stage during the "Physical Tour". Acme Toy Company. https://web.archive.org/web/20050206211507/http://acmetoycompany.com/prod03o.htm. 6 February 2005.
  14. Web site: Market Place Advisor – Olivia Newton-John 1982 TourBook. dead. https://archive.today/20130119005827/http://marketplaceadvisor.channeladvisor.com/storefrontprofiles/DeluxeSFItemDetail.aspx?sid=1&sfid=197127&c=305277&i=2048066. 19 January 2013. dmy-all.
  15. EW – Olivia Gets 'Physical'. https://web.archive.org/web/20080412231135/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,308706,00.html. dead. 12 April 2008. .
  16. Book: Google Books – Billboard 23 fev. 1985. Nielsen Business Media. Inc. 1985-02-23.
  17. Web site: IMDB – Awards for 'Olivia in Concert'. .
  18. Web site: People – Picks and Pans Review: Olivia Newton-John Special.
  19. News: . Itinerary: Olivia Newton-John North American Tour 1982 . An Evening with Olivia Newton-John/Olivia Newton-John: Live in Concert . August 1982 . 28 July 2019 . https://archive.today/20190729005142/https://www.onlyolivia.com/memorabilia/tourprog/1982-08-01-us-physical-29.jpg . 29 July 2019 . Only Olivia . live .
  20. Boxscore. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Publications, Inc.. 0006-2510. 28 July 2019. 28 August 1982. 94. 33. 27.
  21. Boxscore. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Publications, Inc.. 0006-2510. 28 July 2019. 11 September 1982. 94. 36. 34.
  22. Boxscore. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Publications, Inc.. 0006-2510. 28 July 2019. 18 September 1982. 94. 37. 46.
  23. Boxscore. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Publications, Inc.. 0006-2510. 28 July 2019. 25 September 1982. 94. 38. 44.
  24. Boxscore. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Publications, Inc.. 0006-2510. 28 July 2019. 2 October 1982. 94. 39. 49.
  25. Boxscore. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Publications, Inc.. 0006-2510. 28 July 2019. 16 October 1982. 94. 41. 46.
  26. Boxscore. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Publications, Inc.. 0006-2510. 28 July 2019. 9 October 1982. 94. 40. 34.
  27. Boxscore. Billboard. Nashville, Tennessee. Billboard Publications, Inc.. 0006-2510. 28 July 2019. 30 October 1982. 94. 43. 52.
  28. Web site: IMDB – Full cast and crew for 'Olivia in Concert'. .