Chris Martin writes song for John Farnham tribute in Melbourne
Chris Martin told a sold-out Melbourne arena that John Farnham is a better singer than him — then played a new song to prove it.
The Coldplay frontman appeared remotely at The Songs Of John Farnham: A Living Legend – The Celebration Concert on Sept. 20 at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne. He performed an original song written for Farnham with “A Better Singer Than” in its title, according to ABC.
Martin’s appearance was a surprise. He joined by video link rather than in person.
The concert was staged as a one-off tribute. More than 120 artists and musicians performed, in a show produced by Cochrane Entertainment and TEG Dainty, according to Billboard.
Celine Dion and Hugh Jackman also contributed remote performances. The in-arena line-up included Vanessa Amorosi, Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Kate Ceberano, Diesel, Human Nature, Jack Jones, Richard Marx, Jessica Mauboy, Keith Urban, Mark Vincent and Ross Wilson.
Farnham himself was unable to attend. His absence was due to deteriorating health.
The night doubled as a fundraising and awareness platform for Head and Neck Cancer Australia. It also reached beyond the arena. The show was beamed into HOYTS cinemas nationwide and sold more than 23,000 tickets.
Farnham’s standing in Australian music explains the scale. His 1986 album Whispering Jack, an LP or full-length album, was the first homegrown release to sell more than 1 million copies in Australia.
Martin has his own recent history with Australian crowds. Coldplay played to more than 700,000 fans on the 2024 Australasian leg of its Music of the Spheres stadium tour.
What makes this stand out for fans is the directness. A guest star did not cover a Farnham hit. He wrote something new, named it for the occasion, and handed the compliment to the man being honoured.
