John Farnham to miss tribute concert in his honour after his health deteriorates

Australian music legend John Farnham will miss a tribute concert being held in his honour on Sunday as he is receiving 24-hour-a-day nursing care at his home after his health declined over recent months.

Farnham, 77, requires continuous oxygen support and now uses a wheelchair for mobility, his family revealed in a statement released late on Saturday.

Farnham, whose catalogue of hits includes the Australian anthem You’re The Voice, Age of Reason, Burn For You and Touch of Paradise, was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour inside his mouth in August 2022 and underwent major surgery to have it removed.

In 2023, he was declared cancer free. Since his surgery he has retired from the public spotlight to manage his health.

The revelation about Farnham’s declining health comes as beloved singer is being honoured with a star-studded concert at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Sunday night, to celebrate his extraordinary career.

The Farnham family, John’s wife Jill and sons Rob and James, provided the sad update on the star’s health owing to fans hoping he would make an appearance at The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend concert.

“Many people have been asking whether John will be involved in the concert or attending … to watch it all happen,” the family statement, which was posted to Instagram, read.

“Unfortunately, he will not be able to attend and, as a family, we feel it is important to provide an update on John’s health to help explain why.

“John’s health has deteriorated in recent months. He now requires continuous oxygen support and uses a wheelchair for mobility. It has also become necessary for John to receive 24-hour nursing care at home, ensuring trained support is always available when he needs it.

“We have kept these matters private while our family has adjusted to John’s changing needs. However, we now feel it is important that John’s fans and supporters understand his circumstances and why he cannot be there this weekend.

“If things were different, John would have loved nothing more than to attend the concert. He would undoubtedly have been a little overwhelmed by all the fuss, but he would also have wanted to thank everyone involved in person.

“As a family, we have decided that it is best for John to remain at home, where he can be safe and comfortable.”

The family said Farnham had been “deeply moved” that the concert was being staged in his honour and by the extraordinary work of the producers, the generosity of the artists performing and the dedication of the crew and production teams working on the project.

The concert, which will feature artists including Keith Urban, Richard Marx, Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Mahalia Barnes, Kate Ceberano, Diesel, Human Nature, Jack Jones, Jessica Mauboy, Jon Stevens, Mitch Tambo, Mark Vincent and Ross Wilson, as well as performances via satellite by Celine Dion and Hugh Jackman, will raise funds for Head and Neck Cancer Australia.

Farnham’s life is also the subject of the stage musical Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical which will premiere at the Sydney Theatre Company in November. Michael Paynter has been cast as Farnham. His most famous album, Whispering Jack, this year marks 40 years since its release in October 1986.

His iconic song You’re The Voice was covered by The Jonas Brothers at the historic NFL game between the LA Rams and the San Francisco 49ers at the MCG earlier this month.