As he celebrates an extraordinary 65 years in the spotlight, Sir Cliff Richard is preparing to release a new album that looks back on his iconic career—while also honoring one of his dearest friends, the late Olivia Newton-John.
The legendary entertainer, now 82, announced Cliff with Strings – My Kinda Life, a collection of his greatest hits reimagined with lush orchestral arrangements. The album is set to release on November 3, and among its emotional highlights is a reworked version of his classic duet “Suddenly,” performed with Olivia Newton-John.
Originally recorded for the 1980 film Xanadu, “Suddenly” was a fan-favorite ballad showcasing the effortless harmony between Cliff and Olivia. The new version, taken from their heartfelt live duet at London’s Royal Albert Hall during Cliff’s 75th birthday celebrations in 2015, has been revived with orchestral beauty by arranger Chris Walden. Cliff describes it as the most emotional track on the album.
“The gentleness Olivia brought to everything she did still shines through in this version,” Cliff said. “Listening to it again now, after she’s gone, it moves me in a way I can’t quite describe. Our voices blended so naturally—it always felt effortless with her.”
Olivia Newton-John passed away in August 2022 at the age of 73 after a courageous 30-year battle with breast cancer. Her passing deeply affected Cliff, who described their relationship as a “soul-mate friendship” built over decades of laughter, shared stages, and emotional honesty.
“We were never a couple, but we were absolutely bound by something rare,” Cliff shared. “I spoke to her just five weeks before she passed. She was still her vibrant, sunny self—‘Oh, g’day Cliff, how are you darling?’ she said with that warmth I’ll never forget. Losing her… it still doesn’t feel real.”
Their bond began in the 1970s, when Cliff helped Olivia gain wider exposure by inviting her onto his BBC television series. From there, their friendship blossomed into a lifelong connection filled with professional collaborations and personal support.
The forthcoming album spans Cliff’s unmatched seven-decade career, featuring new orchestral versions of classics like “Summer Holiday,” “Living Doll,” “Wired for Sound,” and “We Don’t Talk Anymore.” It also includes a rare 1999 performance of Bryan Adams’ “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You” from his Millennium Countdown concert.
Reflecting on the project, Cliff said revisiting his old vocal takes brought back a flood of memories. “It’s emotional hearing those younger versions of myself, and seeing how my voice and style evolved over time,” he shared. “These songs have traveled with me through my entire life—and hearing them with orchestral depth gives them new life.”
As Cliff prepares to release Cliff with Strings – My Kinda Life, it’s not just a celebration of his past—it’s a heartfelt reminder of music’s power to preserve connection, memory, and love.
