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CultureQuiet 3d · day 5

John Farnham to miss his own Melbourne tribute concert as health declines

Family says the 77-year-old singer now needs continuous oxygen, a wheelchair and 24-hour nursing care, and will stay home instead of attending Sunday's Rod Laver Arena show.

newest coverage 3d agosummary written 4d ago13 pieces Google NewsNewswiresMastodonReddit

What to know

  • Farnham's family disclosed for the first time that he needs continuous oxygen support, a wheelchair and 24-hour home nursing care.
  • He will miss the Rod Laver Arena tribute concert honouring his career, which features Keith Urban, Celine Dion, Jimmy Barnes, Hugh Jackman and others.
  • The concert proceeds as planned and raises funds for Head and Neck Cancer Australia, tied to his 2022 mouth cancer diagnosis and surgery.

“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.”

Farnham family, John Farnham's wife and sons · Family statement via Instagram, reported by ABC Australia ↗ · Sep 18

John Farnham Australian singer being honouredJill Farnham John Farnham's wifeRob and James Farnham John Farnham's sonsHead and Neck Cancer Australia Beneficiary charity

John Farnham to miss his own Melbourne tribute concert as health declines
Sydney Morning Herald

How it unfolded 2 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump articles

Peak 3 pieces in two hours at Sep 19, 2 PM; 13 pieces over 5 days (10 articles · 2 posts · 1 comment) Sep 19, 8 AM — 1 piece · 1 article — Google News 1Sep 19, 10 AM — quietSep 19, 12 PM — quietSep 19, 2 PM — 3 pieces · 3 articles — Google News 2, Newswires 1Sep 19, 4 PM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Newswires 2Sep 19, 6 PM — 1 piece · 1 post — Mastodon 1Sep 19, 8 PM — quietSep 19, 10 PM — 2 pieces · 2 articles — Google News 2Sep 20, 12 AM — quietSep 20, 2 AM — quietSep 20, 4 AM — quietSep 20, 6 AM — 3 pieces · 2 articles · 1 post — Google News 1, Newswires 1, Reddit 1Sep 20, 8 AM — quietSep 20, 10 AM — quietSep 20, 12 PM — quietSep 20, 2 PM — quietSep 20, 4 PM — quietSep 20, 6 PM — quietSep 20, 8 PM — quietSep 20, 10 PM — 1 piece · 1 comment — Reddit 1Sep 21, 12 AM — quietSep 21, 2 AM — quietSep 21, 4 AM — quietSep 21, 6 AM — quietSep 21, 8 AM — quietSep 21, 10 AM — quietSep 21, 12 PM — quietSep 21, 2 PM — quietSep 21, 4 PM — quietSep 21, 6 PM — quietSep 21, 8 PM — quietSep 21, 10 PM — quietSep 22, 12 AM — quietSep 22, 2 AM — quietSep 22, 4 AM — quietSep 22, 6 AM — quietSep 22, 8 AM — quietSep 22, 10 AM — quietSep 22, 12 PM — quietSep 22, 2 PM — quietSep 22, 4 PM — quietSep 22, 6 PM — quietSep 22, 8 PM — quietSep 22, 10 PM — quietYesterday, 12 AM — quietYesterday, 2 AM — quietYesterday, 4 AM — quietYesterday, 6 AM — quietYesterday, 8 AM — quietYesterday, 10 AM — quietYesterday, 12 PM — quietYesterday, 2 PM — quietYesterday, 4 PM — quietYesterday, 6 PM — quietYesterday, 8 PM — quietYesterday, 10 PM — quietToday, 12 AM — quietToday, 2 AM — quietToday, 4 AM — quietToday, 6 AM — quietToday, 8 AM — quiet 12
Sep 20Sep 21Sep 22yesterdaynow · 10:46 AM ET
  1. background

    The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend concert proceeds without him — The tribute concert took place at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne as scheduled, with Farnham absent and the event raising funds for Head and Neck Cancer Australia.

  2. 2

    Outlets detail Farnham's condition and concert lineup

    Further reporting confirmed the family's account and detailed the charity concert's lineup, including Jimmy Barnes, Tina Arena, Human Nature, Jessica Mauboy, Kate Ceberano, Ross Wilson, Celine Dion and Richard Marx, with proceeds going to Head and Neck Cancer Australia.

    “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.”
    — Farnham family, John Farnham's wife and sons · source

    • This is the right answer along with the dolly parton of Australia. I am gutted he is sick and probably doesn't have long on this earth.

      networknr/Music3d agoview on r/Music ↗
  3. 1

    Farnham family announces he will miss his tribute concert

    Jill, Rob and James Farnham posted an Instagram statement revealing John's health has deteriorated, that he needs continuous oxygen, a wheelchair and 24-hour nursing care, and that he will stay home rather than attend the Melbourne concert.

    1. 4 outlets John Farnham to miss tribute in Melbourne

      first by Sydney Morning Herald, 4d ago · also ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation, ABC Australia, Australian Broadcasting Corporation

      3 more headlines

    2. 3 outlets first by SMH.com.au, 4d ago · also The Australian, Sydney Morning Herald · read ↗

    1 more claim →
  4. background

    Farnham is declared cancer free — In 2023 Farnham was declared cancer free following his 2022 surgery, though he continued to manage his health away from the public eye.

  5. background

    Farnham is diagnosed with a cancerous tumour and undergoes surgery — Farnham was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour inside his mouth in August 2022 and underwent major surgery to remove it, after which he retired from public life.