Rob and his younger brother James couldn’t be prouder of the courage and resilience shown by their famous dad, John Farnham, after he lost his legendary voice to a rare form of cancer that almost killed him.
“I am so unbelievably proud of him,” Rob says.
“As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realised more just how much of Dad lives in both James and me. Not just musically, but in the way we look at life, family, loyalty, humour and the people we love.”
Rob, 45, and James, 36, have just honoured their dad at a spectacular concert featuring 120 Australian and international artists, a 38-piece orchestra, a choir and the John Farnham Band at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne last night.
THE ‘DREAM’ GIG
Just hours before a one-off concert to honour ‘Farnsey’, his family made the heartbreaking announcement that he would not be there to watch some of the world’s biggest stars pay tribute to him.
“John’s health has deteriorated in recent months,” Rob Farhnam posted on social media in the lead up to The Songs of Jon Farnham: A Living Legend.
“He now requires continuous oxygen support and uses a wheelchair for mobility. It has become necessary for John to recieve 24-hour nursing care at home, ensuring trained suport is always available when he needs it.”
Rob, who recently starred on reality show The Traitors and is the frontman of rock band Rival Fire, also performed one of his dad’s hits on the big night.
“Sharing a stage with artists of this calibre and members of the JF band, many of whom I’ve known for most of my life, is something I’m genuinely blown away by. It’s a dream, really,” he says.
“But for me, this is about something much simpler and much more personal.
“It’s about Dad. The rest of the world knows John Farnham as The Voice, an icon and one of Australia’s greatest performers. James and I have always had the privilege of simply knowing him as Dad.
“It’s about paying tribute to the man who has raised us. The man who has loved us, protected us, made us laugh, encouraged us and showed us what it meant to give everything you have to the people and things you love.”
James, a concert audio technician who toured and worked with John before cancer cruelly robbed him of that world-famous voice four years ago, was also at the concert working behind the scenes.
The big mystery leading into the night was whether John, who celebrated his 77th birthday in July, would be well enough in mind and body to attend.
Rob and James confirmed that their dad had made that decision on the day.
With superstars such as Hugh Jackman and Keith Urban performing in his honour, John was humbled by the outpouring of love for him and his music.
James says the arrival of John’s first grandson, Jett John Farnham, in June last year, has helped lift his spirits, particularly after he, wife Tessa and Jett moved in with John and Jill earlier this year.
“It seems to be really working for Dad,” he says.
“He’s changed completely since we’ve moved in. He’s loving it. It’s nice to wake up and see Dad and Jett playing together – it’s beautiful.”
John endured a 12-hour lifesaving operation to treat the mouth cancer that he only discovered by accident after seeing his dentist in 2022.
It left him struggling to speak, eat and sing, and he had to have facial and jaw reconstruction surgery.
When he finally agreed to let his family and friends organise the tribute concert in May this year – after saying no twice – he also confirmed he would never sing publicly again.
A NIGHT FOR FARNSEY
Now cancer free, he credits his survival to the devotion of his wife of 53 years, Jill, and the support from Rob and James.
Tickets to The Songs Of John Farnham: A Living Legend – The Celebration Concert, sold out within hours of release, but demand was so huge that Hoyts Cinemas decided to air the “once in a generation” event live across the country last Sunday.
John says he’s incredibly humbled that 120 artists, including Celine Dion, Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Kate Ceberano, Diesel, Human Nature, Richard Marx, Jessica Mauboy and Ross Wilson performed his songs.
Proceeds from ticket sales are raising awareness and support for Head and Neck Cancer Australia.
