‘John Farnham ‘devastated’ by Glenn Wheatley’s death

John Farnham has paid tribute to his former manager Glenn Wheatley, releasing a photo that shows they were friends ‘til the end.

Australian music legend John Farnham has paid tribute to his late former manager Glenn Wheatley, releasing a photo that shows they were friends ‘til the end.

A statement released by the Farnham family today reads: “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. Love Jill, John, Robert and James Farnham.”

Farnham also issued a recent photo of he and Wheatley together which entertainment reporter Peter Ford stated on social media was the “’official’ pic John wanted released of them together. Older, wiser, devoted, successful and loyal to each other.”

Glenn Wheatley (left) and John Farnham in a photo released by the Farnham family.

Earlier, Delta Goodrem paid tribute to Wheatley, saying she is “forever grateful” for his help in her career.

Wheatley died of complications from Covid-19 after contracting the virus over the Christmas period.

It’s understood Wheatley, 74, had been in intensive care in a Melbourne hospital over recent weeks before his death.

Stream more entertainment news live & on demand with Flash, a dedicated news streaming service. New to Flash? Try 14 days free now >

Music legend Glenn Wheatley has died.

“Glenn 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,” Goodrem wrote on Instagram today.

“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.”

Goodrem’s tribute comes despite the pair parting ways in acrimonious circumstances in 2003, the singer dumping her then-manager the same year her massive debut album Innocent Eyes was released.

Wheatley, who is credited as the mastermind behind the rise to fame of John Farnham, Delta Goodrem and Little River Band, leaves behind wife Gaynor Martin and their three children, Tim, 37, Samantha, 35, and Kara, 35.

Singer Delta Goodrem with then-manager Glenn Wheatley and his wife Gaynor at the Logies in 2003.

He started his career in the music industry in 1968 as an artist himself, in the chart-topping band The Masters Apprentices, and played on two of their best-known songs Turn Up Your Radio and Because I Love You.

Wheatley soon turned his attention to producing, and began working with Little River Band.

As their manager, he negotiated a deal with Capitol Records in Los Angeles that made them one of the biggest rock acts in the world in the 1970s.

In the ‘80s he joined forces with John Farnham, who staged a massive comeback and produced his most successful album, the 24-times platinum Whispering Jack, which Wheatley famously mortgaged his house to finance.

Wheatley and Farnham worked together for decades.

It sold 1.7 million copies and sat at the top of the charts for a remarkable 25 weeks.

Wheatley was also instrumental in helping Delta Goodrem launch her massively successful career, working as her manager for the release of her hit 2003 debut album Innocent Eyes, which went on to become one of the highest-selling albums in ARIA chart history.

Wheatley expanded his media empire to include radio stations in 1980 when he co-founded Melbourne rock radio station EON-FM. In recent years, he bought stations on the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, and took over Sydney’s 2CH in 2017 before selling it three years later.

Wheatley and Goodrem at the opening of the Tiffany’s jewellery store in Melbourne in 2001.

Amid all his glittering success, the music guru faced some well-publicised low points over the years.

He was left on the brink of bankruptcy after a failed investment of $12 million in The Ivy nightclub in Melbourne.

Writing about the “disastrous decision” in his 1999 autobiography, Paper Paradise, Wheatley said: “I had a premonition that storm clouds were brewing over my life. What I didn’t know was that it would be a full-force ­cyclone.”

However, his worst moment was yet to come: in 2007, he was handed a 15-month sentence for tax evasion following an investigation by the Australian Taxation Office.

“I’m ashamed of what I have done,” Wheatley told the court at the time. “It was something that I have regretted for a long, long time and I’m ashamed of what I’ve brought on my family, who have had to suffer a lot.”

Veteran entertainment journalist Richard Wilkins was among the first to pay tribute to Wheatley as news of his death was shared.

He tweeted: “Gutted… what a man… what a life… what a beautiful family… R.I.P.”