Glenn Wheatley’s family farewells music legend in private funeral service
Glenn Wheatley’s family has bid farewell to the music industry legend at a private funeral in Melbourne.
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Glenn Wheatley’s family has farewelled the music legend at a private funeral in Melbourne.
Wheatley’s wife Gaynor, and children Tim, Kara and Samantha, said their goodbyes to Glenn, an influential music industry figure and artist manager, at a service for immediate family only, late on Monday.
Wheatley died from complications while being treated for Covid-19 last Tuesday.
His family opted for a private funeral, away from the spotlight that usually tracked Wheatley, to mourn behind closed doors.
They are believed to be considering a memorial service so Wheatley’s wide range of friends and associates from music, sporting and broadcasting worlds, can pay tribute to him.
Last week, Tim said on Instagram: “No matter how little faith I had in this world, I always thought that because you were here, there must be some hope for us all.
“So please, be here when I wake up. Please. I don’t just love you, I need you. I based my very existence around you and I can’t see a life without you.
“So I’ll see you in the morning OK? Otherwise I’ll have to be the one to make mum tea every morning. And I make terrible tea. And you don’t want to make mum angry.
“So I’ll go to sleep now, and see you in the morning,” Tim wrote.
“Good night dad. I love you. Come back please.”
His painful post follows tributes from music stars John Farnham, Delta Goodrem, Jimmy Barnes, Glenn Shorrock and countless industry figures.
Glenn Wheatley, who managed Farnham, Goodrem, and Little River Band, also oversaw Tim’s music career.
Tim, an alt-country troubadour, has performed in the bands Sparrows and Rushcutter, and under an alias, Crooked Saint.
“I didn’t encourage him,” Glenn, a former bassist in The Master’s Apprentices, told the Herald Sun in 2016.
“I wanted it to be absolutely his decision as to whether he followed in his old man’s footsteps. I gave him a couple of guitar lessons very early in the piece and left it at that.”
In the same interview, Tim said: “Growing up, I was attached to my old man’s hip. I always knew I wanted to be in the industry, but didn’t know in which facet, until he taught me how to play Take It Easy on guitar.”
Glenn added: “It’s difficult for me to be his father and be involved in the same industry. He played as Crooked Saint for a while because, God bless him, he didn’t want to be seen to be trading on the family name. He’s done everything off his own bat and own ability, and I’m very proud of what he’s done.”
Asked who was the better musician, Glenn replied: “Tim is better than the old man ever was. I was a pop star. Tim is credible to the nth (degree).”
Tim added: “Dad invests himself fully into whatever it is he is pursuing and works harder than anyone I have ever met.”
At a Sparrows gig in Fitzroy in 2013, Glenn Wheatley didn’t overstate his role with the band.
“I’m not a manager, I’m a glorified roadie,’’ Wheatley said, laughing.
“We end up with most of the band gear in the back of my car driving it home while the boys kick on.’’
Wheatley rose to prominence as the bass guitarist of the popular 1960s rock band Masters Apprentices before later becoming rock legend John Farnham’s manager in the 1980s.
Wheatley began managing his close friend Farnham in 1982 ahead of the launch of the singer’s 12th album, Whispering Jack.
The album was considered one of the most important of Farnham’s career.
Wheatley and Farnham forged a decades-long partnership, with Wheatley remaining Farnham’s manager until his death.
Wheatley’s family says the respected musician, artist manager and entrepreneur had “a lot more he wanted to give” before his sudden passing.
“He had enthusiasm that was unmatched and believed that anything was possible,” Wheatley’s family — wife Gaynor, son Tim, and daughters Samantha and Kara — said in a statement on Wednesday.
He gave everything to support projects he believed in, whether they were ultimately “successful or not — his immense passion and enthusiasm was an integral part of Glenn Wheatley.”
“Despite having achieved so much, there was a lot more he wanted to give.”
Tim, a singer-songwriter, who records as Crooked Saint, said Glenn respected everybody.
“He treated roadies, artists and fans with the same love and respect, and had time for everyone, Tim said.
“He would leave Rod Laver Arena after a John Farnham concert, just to carry my amp into The Espy. Everything he did was for his family. He regarded his family as his greatest achievement.”
In a sad twist, Tim planned to release a new single and EP last week, which includes a cover of Because I Love You, a hit recorded by Glenn Wheatley’s band, The Masters Apprentices, in 1971.
“We were planning the release of Because I Love You for months,” Tim said. “We just fell three days short.”
In honour of Glenn, Tim has shared his version of the song online.
Wheatley began managing Farnham right before the release of his most important album.
His Masters Apprentices bandmates, Mick Bower, Brian Vaughton, Gavin Webb and Rick Harrison, Craig Holden and Bill Harrod posted on Facebook: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Glenn Wheatley. Glenn joined Masters Apprentices in 1968.
“Glenn recorded hits such as Bridgette, 5:10 Man, Think About Tomorrow Today, Turn Up Your Radio, and Because I Love You.”
“He recognised that the band should be getting much higher fees for drawing huge crowds and fought for a fairer share of concert revenue.
“After Glenn left The Masters Apprentices in 1972 he went into band management and conquered the world with the likes of Little River Band, Australian Crawl, Moving Pictures, John Farnham and many others.
“He pioneered FM radio in Australia and organised the Hay Mate fundraiser concert appeals. “He has left his mark forever on Australian music.
“Glenn would often reunite with The Masters Apprentices, dusting off his bass on special occasions — most recently the Thebarton Theatre 90th birthday spectacular in 2018.
“We will miss him greatly. Always a Masters Apprentice.”
Pseudo Echo frontman Brian Canham has paid tribute to Wheatley by recounting a story of his failed attempt to be a Harley riding hero with John Farnham.
Brian Canham from Pseudo Echo.
“Glenn managed Pseudo Echo in our heyday, taking the band to America, Japan and the world, for which I am forever grateful,” Canham said on Facebook.
“Glenn was so passionate about the music and artists he believed in. He was a rockin’ bass player in his own right too, but I’ll always remember that funny un-co dance he used to do when listening to our new songs.
“We’d point it out and have a laugh, but it didn’t matter about his rhythm, it was his great ears that scored all the hits.”
Canham also recalled a story where Wheatley and Farnham “bought themselves two brand new Harley Davidsons.”
Canham added: “When it came time to ride them home from the dealership in town, it was a bit of a challenge as they couldn’t do any right hand turns due to our Melbourne tram tracks (tyres wobble when you cross them).
“They had to just keep turning left until they got out of the city. They didn’t keep the Harleys for too long.”
Canham said Wheatley threw himself an “epic” birthday party at his Toorak mansion when he turned 40.
“I couldn’t for the life of me think what to give him as a present, he seemed to have everything already.
“Then I remembered he’d often play golf with his posh executive friends, so I bought him a set of novelty exploding golf balls. The look on his face when I told him what they were was priceless.”
Canham met with Wheatley recently to discuss a possible involvement with Pseudo Echo and his solo career.
“Glenn was super keen to hear my new material. Time flew by with us all being busy … and that was the last time I saw Glenn.”
Pseudo Echo had hits including Funky Town, A Beat For You, and Love An Adventure.
Wheatley with band members of The Masters Apprentices in 1969.
A heartbroken John Farnham said he had been left “devastated” by the passing of his best friend and longtime manager.
Farnham said in a statement on Wednesday: “Our family are devastated at the loss of our friend. We also obviously feel for his family as well. With his passing so many people have lost a part of their lives.
“We will miss you, Glenn, and promise to be there for Gaynor and the family.”
The statement was signed by Farnham, his wife Jill, and their children, Robert and James.
Jimmy Barnes remembered Wheatley as a “great supporter of Australian music” and said watching his band — the Masters Apprentices — on TV inspired him to dream “about one day being in a band of my own”.
“He helped Australia rediscover and fall in love all over again with one of my favourite singers in world, John Farnham,” he wrote in a social media tribute.
“He could see how great a singer John was and wanted the world to see it too.
“He was instrumental in Little River Band conquering the American charts.
“He championed Australian music where ever he went.
“This is a sad day for music.
“My heart goes out to his family and friends. He will be sadly missed.”
Delta Goodrem paid tribute to Wheatley and said he “impacted the lives of so many, including mine”.
“I will always remember him calling my family about my music after hearing a demo CD from when I was just 13 years old,” she said.
“What followed was many treasured memories.
“I am forever grateful for our time together in my early career.
“May he Rest In Peace. All my love and prayers are with his family at this time.”
John Farnham’s longtime musical director, Chong Lim, said Wheatley was “always full of wild ideas,” but more importantly, “he made them all happen”.
“I am still trying to process the fact that Glenn has gone from our lives to a better place,” Lim said on Facebook.
“He always had so much energy he could almost burst. Always full of wild ideas, he made them all happen.
“He and John were an incredible force of nature.
“Thank you Glenn for the years of opportunity and friendship. You will be sorely missed.”
Rock great Joe Camilleri also posted a tribute on Facebook, and said: “We lose another great Australian in Glenn Wheatley who made a big impact. R.I.P.”
Wheatley is being remembered as a pioneer of the Australian music industry.
Ten Tenors singer Luke Kennedy said: “I am in shock. I met Glenn many times over the last decade and I always found him to be warm and engaging, and his achievements and stories deeply impressive.
“Australia has lost a legendary music industry pioneer. There will never be another one like Glenn Wheatley.”
Filmmaker and broadcaster Lee Rogers, who is married to singer Kate Ceberano, said: “Very sad to hear about Glenn Wheatley passing away.
“A true trailblazer; ’70s rock star, pioneer of FM radio, crossed over to management very successfully; worked with Bowie in the UK, was manger of LRB, James Reyne, Farnham, Pseudo Echo, Delta and many more.
“I had the privilege of co-managing Kate with him for a few years in the late ’90s and learnt a lot. Such an enthusiastic and visionary entrepreneur who helped the careers of so many.” Singer Peter Cupples, formerly managed by Wheatley, also made a heartfelt post.
“I’m shocked and deeply saddened to hear the news that my old manager and an icon of the music industry Glenn Wheatley has passed away.
“I won’t waffle on as there’s much I could say about the incredible passion, vision and drive he had and gave to our industry, totally responsible for Stylus being the first white band signed to Motown, my heart goes out to my old friend John (Farnham) and Jill who will be devastated.
“A massive hole has been left in our hearts and the heart of our industry. Vale Glenn. Gone but never forgotten.”
The father-of-three also managed Aussie songstress Delta Goodrem after discovering the pop singer in her late teens.
He helped launch her 2003 debut, Innocent Eyes, which became one of the highest-selling ¬albums in ARIA chart history.
TV presenter Richard Wilkins last night said he was “gutted” at Wheatley’s sudden passing.” Gutted … what a man … what a life … what a beautiful family … R.I.P.” Wilkins tweeted shortly before midnight on Tuesday.
Born in Brisbane in 1948, Wheatley joined The Masters Apprentices – best known for their hits Turn Up Your Radio and Because I Love You – in 1968.
The talented musician went on to manage the Little River Band, who in the 1970s became one of the world’s biggest rock bands.
Wheatley produced the band’s 1975 debut album, and under his guidance enjoyed consistent commercial chart success in the US.
In 2007 Wheatley was convicted of tax fraud and sentenced to a 15-month jail following a probe by the Australian Taxation Office into a system of Swiss trust accounts.
He later said of the period, he had “hit rock bottom”.
In 2010, Wheatley said that during his 10-month stay in prison, he turned to a daily regimen of working out, yoga and meditation to survive.
He had visits every weekend from his wife, Gaynor, and children Tim, Samantha and Kara.
In 2016, Wheatley launched national 24-hour sports radio station, EON Sports Radio.
In 2020, he spoke out against protesters using Farnham’s anthem, You’re the Voice, during anti-vaccination rallies.
“John feels very strongly that he doesn’t want You’re the Voice to be used in these circumstances,” Wheatley wrote in an opinion piece for the Herald Sun.
At the time, Wheatley said he and Farnham had been working on a new album.
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