‘We’d love to see him perform again’: John Farnham’s sons open up on Aussie icon’s cancer recovery
The Voice is back! John Farnham’s sons have revealed the Aussie music legend walks around the house singing TV jingles as he continues his recovery from cancer, and say he has the strength and will to one day perform again.
Fiona Byrne
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The Voice is back with Australian music legend John Farnham singing at home and cracking jokes as he continues to recover from his battle with oral cancer.
Farnham, 75, was diagnosed with a cancerous tumour in his mouth in August 2022, with the first inkling that something was amiss coming when the iconic singer developed an ulcer in his mouth.
His dentist flagged concern over the inflamed spot and urged him to get it checked by a doctor.
It was quickly found to be cancer and Farnham underwent extensive surgery in Melbourne to have the growth removed.
Farnham’s resilience and strength over the past two years as he recovers from the cancer and treatment has been an inspiration to his sons, Rob and James, who are ambassadors for this year’s Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day Appeal.
Rob revealed Farnham’s love of singing remained strong and he “absolutely” sang at home.
“It is more for himself these days,” Rob said.
“Sometimes he will mockingly sing an ad over and over and over and it drives everyone nuts. “He loves to walk around and do that.
“He definitely can sing. Whether he performs again or not is another question and that is entirely up to him.
“With such an invasive surgery that he had, and being in the public eye for so long, he is strong enough to achieve that if he wanted to.
“But I would also understand if he did not want to do that because it takes a lot of balls to be in the public eye in general, let alone dealing with a scar like that on his face is pretty full on.
“He is very strong and he has the will. We will see. We would love to see him perform again, but it is entirely his decision.”
James added: “He is doing really well. He is quite relaxed at home …. he is positive, feeling good, is nice and cheeky and tells lots of jokes.”
Rob revealed Farnham gave a moving speech at his wedding to Melissa Kelly in New South Wales in March. Photos Rob shared of his father with him on his wedding day almost broke the internet.
“He did a beautiful speech. He had not been in front of an audience for a few years at that point and everyone loved it,” Rob said.
“He was hilarious and funny, he dragged on, he was making everybody laugh, he was making jokes at himself. He did not sing, unfortunately, that would have been amazing.
“Our first slow dance was to A Touch of Paradise (one of Farnham’s huge hits).
“I could see dad out of the corner of my eye – he cried. Halfway through the song he started dancing with my wife and I danced with my mum (Jill) and her mum. It was a really beautiful moment and there was not a dry eye in the house.”
James and Rob said their father’s cancer crisis had changed the entire family.
“We were a tight family anyway, we support each other regardless of what happens, but it definitely changed us,” Rob said.
“Mum was such a rock during that phase, she was there for all of us. There were moments where she needed to be propped up, when James needed to be propped up and when I needed to be propped up.
“And all three of us were trying to prop up dad. It was pretty tough, but it only brought us closer.
“It (cancer) is not something I would wish on anybody. The unfortunate thing is it happens to so many people and it is terrifying, horrifying.”
James said the Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day fundraising for life-changing cancer research was close to his family’s heart after their experience.
“We are privileged and honoured to have been asked to be ambassadors,” he said.
“Anything we can do to help fundraise and help the research we are happy to do.
“It is quite scary, it is almost one in two people can be either affected by or have cancer.”
“Watching what our dad has faced over the last two years has had a huge impact on us.
“Supporting Daffodil Day is our way of not only honouring his strength, but of
helping others who are going through the same challenges.”
Added Rob: “We’ve seen first-hand how crucial cancer research and support is, and we are so grateful for the treatment and care dad has been given. We’re
urging Aussies to get behind Cancer Council’s Daffodil Day – a bunch of daffodils could help
save lives.”
Rob and James will attend the Logie Awards in Sydney on Sunday, August 18 where the documentary on their father’s career John Farnham: Finding The Voice is nominated for best factual or documentary program.
Daffodil Day is Thursday, August 22, 2024.
To donate or find your nearest daffodil stall, visit daffodilday.com.au
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