John Farnham Honoured at Melbourne Tribute Concert
Celine Dion, Chris Martin and Keith Urban led more than 120 performers honouring John Farnham at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Sept. 20.
Billed as ‘The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend – The Celebration Concert’, the night brought together a 38-piece orchestra and the John Farnham Band alongside singers from across Australian and international music, according to Billboard. It marked 40 years since the September 1986 release of ‘You’re the Voice’.
Jimmy Barnes, Tina Arena, Kate Ceberano, Jon Stevens, Jessica Mauboy, Vanessa Amorosi and Richard Marx co-headlined the bill. They were joined on stage and by video by a wider cast of guest vocalists, with the orchestra and Farnham’s own band backing the songs.
Dion sang ‘You’re the Voice’ via satellite from Paris. Martin also appeared via satellite, performing an original song written for the occasion titled ‘A Better Singer Than Me’. Hugh Jackman appeared via satellite to perform ‘Talk of the Town’.
Urban flew in from Nashville to perform ‘Burn for You’ in person. There was lighter relief too, with a solo acoustic comedy turn rhyming “You’re the Voice” with “you’re God’s choice”, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
Farnham was not there. The singer, 77, did not attend the concert. His family said his health had deteriorated in recent months and that he now requires continuous oxygen support, uses a wheelchair and receives 24-hour nursing care at home.
Proceeds from the night went to Head and Neck Cancer Australia. The concert also launched the charity’s year-long Lend Your Voice campaign, which aims to raise $1 million.
What makes this stand out is the scale of the catalogue being celebrated. ‘You’re the Voice’ topped the charts in Australia, Sweden and Germany and reached the UK top 10. Its parent album, 1986’s Whispering Jack, spent 25 weeks at No. 1 in Australia.
That album was certified 24-times platinum, a sales-based award, and remains the highest-selling album by a domestic artist in Australia. For fans, this means the night worked on two levels: a singalong through familiar hits, and direct funding for patients and families facing head and neck cancer.
