Producers of John Farnham documentary hoping for star’s blessing

A documentary about John Farnham’s life from teen idol to comeback king is in the works, but the star himself is yet to get involved.

Producers of a John Farnham documentary are hoping to get the involvement and backing of the star himself.

Producers are hoping for John Farnham’s involvement, or blessing, as they start work on a comprehensive doco about the Whispering Jack legend.

The film, John Farnham – Finding the Voice, directed by Poppy Stockell – will trace the singer’s life from teen idol and a stint as Little River Band frontman, to tough times and a stellar comeback.

“He’s had an epic, epic life,” Stockell said. “The more I dive into his story, the more I discovered what a hero’s tale it is.”

Farnham came into the spotlight as a teen idol managed by Darryl Sambell.

Farnham performing in concert on his Whispering Jack tour with Stevie Wonder and Farnham's backing vocalists, Venetta Fields and Lindsay Field.

“It was a complicated relationship. (Sambell) had a vision for John, he pushed that really hard, and had success. But the winds changed around the world, with Hendrix and Woodstock, and here he was dragging John around in a velvet tuxedo, and bow tie. John outgrew his mentor.”

Stockell says Farnham didn’t have much freedom in LRB, either.

“With LRB he was given the songs, told what to sing and how to sing it,” she says.

Stockell said the Whispering Jack album, which has sold 1.6 million copies in Australia, gave Farnham freedom and control of his career.

Stockell is hopeful the semi-retired and increasingly reclusive Farnham will be involved, or give his blessing to the doco.

Farnham performing in Adelaide in the 70s.

Talks are ongoing with his manager Glenn Wheatley.

“John is incredibly private and enjoys his life out of the spotlight,” Stockell said.

Asked what she hopes people get from the doco, Stockell said: “I think people will love him even more than they realised. It’s also a reflection of Australian society over the last 50 years. John’s story is really our story.”

The film is one of 10 projects sharing in $2.3 million of documentary production, announced by Screen Australia.