A New Chapter for John Farnham
Australian music legend John Farnham has made a heartfelt announcement that he will not perform live again. The 76-year-old, known for his iconic hit “You’re the Voice,” shared this news in an interview with the Herald Sun, revealing that the physical toll of his recent cancer surgeries has made it impossible for him to return to the stage.
Farnham explained that the extensive procedures on his mouth and face have left him unable to sing as he once did. “We can rule that out. Because of the surgeries to my mouth and face over the past few years, singing on stage is not something I can consider again. It’s just not possible,” he said.
This decision comes shortly before a tribute show titled The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend was announced. The concert is set to take place on September 20th at the Rod Laver Arena and will feature performances from renowned artists such as Keith Urban, Celine Dion, and Hugh Jackman. All proceeds from the event will go towards Head and Neck Cancer Australia, an organization that supported Farnham during his battle with cancer.
In his interview with the Herald Sun, Farnham revealed that he initially turned down the idea of the concert twice when approached by promoters Paul Dainty and Tony Cochrane. He admitted that the concept of a tribute event felt uncomfortable at first. “It made me feel terribly uncomfortable, to be honest,” he said. “I initially said no because the concert sounded like it would be ‘too much fuss’ for everyone.”
“I’m not dead yet, remember,” he added with a laugh.
However, after the promoters gave him time to think about the idea, they approached him again. This time, Farnham declined once more. It wasn’t until they suggested that the concert could help raise money for head and neck cancer charities that he finally agreed.
“I’m gobsmacked and truly grateful that everyone has said yes. It is truly humbling and I can’t thank them enough for what they will be doing for this cause, which is very special and personal for me,” he said.
Tickets for the event will go on sale at 10am on June 2 via Ticketek. Additional performances will be provided by Australian stars including Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Jon Stevens, Kate Ceberano, and Jessica Mauboy.
In 2022, Farnham discovered a cancerous growth in his mouth after his wife Jill insisted he get a persistent mouth ulcer checked out. A malignant tumour was found, leading to a nearly 12-hour operation where parts of his mouth and jaw were removed. Following the surgery, he underwent eight grueling weeks of radiation treatment and was declared cancer-free 12 months later.
In his memoir The Voice Inside, Farnham detailed the emotional and physical challenges of his cancer journey, including how it affected his ability to sing. “My facial disfigurement from the surgery means I can’t open my mouth wide enough for a strip of spaghetti, let alone to sing,” he wrote. “I can’t get the movement to make the sounds I want to make, that’s where the vibrations and my voice come from. It’s a very disconcerting thing. And trying hurts.”
