Little River Band’s Graeham Goble disputes in-fighting claims in John Farnham documentary

The founding member of Aussie pop-rock export, Little River Band, has denied claims in the new John Farnham biopic that managing the band was “like managing World War II”.

A dispute is brewing over claims in the John Farnham biopic about in-fighting and stage sabotage in one of Australia’s most successful pop and rock exports, Little River Band.

Graeham Goble, founding LRB guitarist and singer, who wrote mega-hits including Reminiscing, Lady, Take It Easy On Me, and The Night Owls, has taken issue with certain depictions of the band’s original line-up in the doco-style film.

In the film, the band’s former manager, the late Glenn Wheatley, said managing LRB was “like managing World War II.”

“I don’t know why they’ve used that comment, but it’s not the truth,” Goble said at the VIP premiere of John Farnham: Finding The Voice.

“There are a lot of things they use in documentaries for dramatic effect but that doesn’t make them true. Unfortunately this will go down as being the truth, but a lot of it isn’t.

“You always have your creative differences, but I honestly don’t remember fighting. There were differences of opinion, but we were busy working.”

Little River Band’s Beeb Birtles, Derek Pellicci, John Farnham and Graeham Goble. Picture: Supplied.

The original line-up of LRB, including Goble, Beeb Birtles, and singer Glenn Shorrock, sold 30 million records, and made history as one of the first Australian bands to crack America.

Other hits included Emma, Help Is On Its Way, Home On A Monday and Happy Anniversary.

Farnham joined LRB in 1982 and left five years later.

Goble agreed with the doco’s claims the band was unhappy with Farnham stealing their thunder as an effervescent frontman.

“It did get a little bit out of control when John was on a 50-foot lead, and the spotlight was just on him and we were in the dark providing backing,” Goble said.

“It was inappropriate because we were a big band in America, and they’d come to see Little River Band, and they didn’t even know who John Farnham was.

Graeham Goble has taken issue with parts of the John Farnham biopic. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

“We didn’t want the cabaret jokes. We were a rock band. The point is, John joined Little River Band, we didn’t join John Farnham. I was running the band, and I called the shots.”

Goble bristled at an anecdote featured in the doco which claimed he gaffer-taped Farnham’s microphone cord and stand to the stage, so the singer couldn’t move.

Goble said: “I was very surprised when I was asked that question in the documentary. It’s ridiculous. It’s unimportant.”

However, the doco credits Goble with being the creative force behind Farnham’s 1980 album, Uncovered, which helped the singer evolve from former pop idol to adult artist. The album includes the hits Please Don’t Ask Me, and a powerful version of The Beatles classic, Help.