Olivia Newton-John returned to the stage in Las Vegas this week for her Summer Nights residency, which was postponed for a year after her sister’s death.

The veteran singer and actress returned to the stage April 8th at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino to begin a residency that will continue through the end of August.

Newton-John’s sister, Rona, died from a brain tumor in 2013, leading the singer to take time off from her career as a performer.

“I was supposed to start here a year ago, and I couldn’t sing,” Newton-John said.

“Which was the first time for me that I ever thought that I couldn’t sing,” she said.

“It’s a life journey through my music,” the 65-year-old performer said about her show.

Newton-John’s career in Las Vegas dates back to 1974, when she performed a run at the Las Vegas Hilton opening for Charlie Rich. She continued to perform throughout the 1970’s on the Strip, where she opened for Eddie Rabbit, and performed with Don Rickles at venues including Circus Maximus at Caesars Palace.

Newton-John, known for her iconic performances in Grease and Xanadu, is herself a breast cancer survivor, and said she feels her sister’s energy pushing her to go on.

“I feel she wants me to do it,” said Newton-John.

“She always wanted me to sing, always encouraged me from when I was 15 to do that. So here I am, and yeah, it’s going to be special,” she said.

Proceeds from Summer Nights performances at the Donnie and Marie Showroom at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino will go to Newton-John’s Cancer and Wellness Center in Australia.

Image via Wikimedia Commons