Natalie Imbruglia, Coldplay pay tribute to Olivia Newton-John

Natalie Imbruglia has joined Chris Martin and Coldplay on stage in London in front of a crowd of 90,000 to honour the late Olivia Newton-John.

Natalie Imbruglia has joined Coldplay on stage in London to pay a touching tribute to Olivia Newton-John who died last week after a decades-long battle with cancer.

Aussie Imbruglia joined Chris Martin on stage at Wembley in front of 90,000 fans to cover Newton-John and John Travolta’s epic hit Summer Nights from Grease, which remains the biggest-selling duet of all time.

Olivia Newton-John and John Travolta in Grease. Picture: CBS via Getty Images

Newton-John famously sang the song alongside John Travolta in the musical’s 1978 film adaptation.

On stage in London, Imbruglia handled the role of Newton-John’s Sandy while Martin sang the part of Travolta’s character, Danny, duetting on its shared chorus along with rising British star Jacob Collier.

The ensemble covered the song from a stage situated right in the middle of Wembley Stadium to a rapt audience who sang along to every word.

Before Summer Nights, Coldplay and Imbruglia also performed the Australian’s 1997 global smash, Torn.

After Newton-John’s death was made public last week, Imbruglia took to Instagram to share how “devastated” she was by the loss of the Aussie icon.

Chris Martin with Olivia Newton-John and Barry Gibb at the Sound Relief concert in 2009. Picture: Michael Jackson

“When I was a little girl I used to close my eyes and sing her songs and dream of one day being on a stage somewhere, singing, just like her,” Imbruglia wrote.

“She was magic. A huge inspiration to me and so many other young kids who where singing into their hairbrush. The purity of her voice, her grace … and she sang from the heart. She was and always will be a shining light in this world.”

Martin had met Newton-John back in 2009 when Coldplay joined the line-up of the Sound Relief concert in Sydney that raised money for flood relief.

Earlier this week, American country superstars The Chicks covered another Grease classic - Hopelessly Devoted To You - on stage in Washington.

“We lost a worldwide sweetheart last week, Olivia Newton-John,” singer Natalie Maines told the crowd. “I thought I was Olivia Newton-John from like [ages] 4 to 12, and then I only wished I was Olivia Newton-John. So we worked up today at soundcheck a little Olivia Newton-John song.”

Olivia Newton-John’s husband John Easterling announced the star’s death via social media. Picture: Instagram

Olivia Newton-John with her husband John Easterling, Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness at the premiere of Australia in 2008. Picture: Dimitrios Kambouris

Newton-John died at her California ranch last Monday at the age of 73 after a 30-year battle with breast cancer.

Newton-John’s husband, John Easterling, confirmed the star’s death on Facebook, saying she had “passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends”.

“Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer,” Easterling wrote.

“Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund (ONJFoundationFund.org).”

After news of her death was made public, tributes poured in from contemporaries such as Kylie Minogue, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Dionne Warwick, Mariah Carey, Madonna and Travolta.

“My dearest Olivia, you made all of our lives so much better,” Travolta wrote.

“Your impact was incredible. I love you so much.”

Originally published as Natalie Imbruglia, Coldplay pay tribute to Olivia Newton-John