The October 19 Edition
John Farnham always seemed like a decent guy, even at the height of his 1980s Whispering Jack fame. Devoted to his wife and kids, not prone to throwing TVs out of hotel windows, not known for being lecherous to waitresses. Rock ‘n’ roll but so not rock ‘n’ roll. One of the most wonderful things about him, too, was his enduring friendship with his long-time manager, Glenn Wheatley. At a time when men didn’t always express emotion openly, the love between the pair was palpable. As Farnham writes in his upcoming memoir, “the man was like a brother to me”. So it’s in keeping with his no-nonsense style that he writes plainly in today’s magazine about the struggles we fans didn’t know about. The cigarettes, the cigars and, more recently, during the COVID-19 lockdowns, the multiple bottles of wine a night. He sheds light, too, on his devastation at the 2022 death of Wheatley and, only months later, his oral cancer diagnosis. The depression he fell into is also canvassed, as is his fear that he might never sing in public again (like the rest of us, he still warbles in the shower). All power to you, John, and best wishes for your continued recovery.Editor, Katrina Strickland
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‘Terrified’: John Farnham bares all about his surgery, dark thoughts – and voice
Addiction, oral cancer, facial disfigurement, the loss of his great friend Glenn Wheatley … the musical legend has been through a lot in recent times.
- by John Farnham
Death threats, stalking, dead flowers: My foster siblings’ parents must be in town
Religious zealots, kidnapping, jail and a Hollywood ex … how the love of salt-of-the-earth parents turned a crazy upbringing into something special.
- by Lech Blaine
Teals 2.0: ‘People are dying to express their dislike for the majors’
Inspired by 2022’s teal wave, community independent campaigns are building momentum across the country in lead up to the next federal election.
- by Brook Turner
Two of Us
For subscribers
Whether he’s singing to five fans or 10,000, Dean gets blunt advice from brother Sean
Dean Lewis is a platinum-selling singer-songwriter, whose younger sibling Sean Loaney is his official videographer – and “voice of reason”.
- by Lenny Ann Low
Dicey Topics
For subscribers
Mahalia Barnes grew up in a rock ‘n’ roll world - but sex still wasn’t spoken about
The singer, 42, started performing as a child in The Tin Lids with her three younger siblings and now plays with her band, The Soul Mates. She portrays Mary Magdelene in the upcoming Jesus Christ Superstar.
- by Benjamin Law
Modern Guru
Modern Guru
A mechanic rudely retuned my car radio. Should I try somewhere else?
They all do it, writes our Modern Guru – and more besides.
- by Danny Katz
Cinephiliac
As a teenager, Ann’s movie preferences were more Three Colours: Blue than Pretty Woman. She maintained such standards even after the birth of her daughters decades later. Not on her life would she accompany them to the cinema to see juvenile fare like Tangled or Frozen. Instead, she’d drag them along to Soviet arthouse films about embattled wheat farmers, or Icelandic indie flicks in which burly fishermen wore heavy knits and heavier brows. Once, she even took them to a retrospective featuring David Lynch’s The Elephant Man. To be fair, it made a bigger impression on them than Despicable Me. Words by Paul Connolly. Illustration by Jim Pavlidis.
Like many journos, my mate said she had a screenplay. Now it’s a Kate Winslet film
Plus: get ready for the weekend with these fresh diversions.
- by Various
Stuffed flatbreads with mint yoghurt
These fluffy, fragrant flatbreads are perfect for lunch with a squeeze of lemon and some mint yoghurt for dipping.
- by Julia Busuttil Nishimura
Polenta and strawberry scones
Pre-filled with jam, these delicious little double-decker scones come together and bake up quickly.
- by Danielle Alvarez
Review
Mesa Verde
Ride the vertical version of the City Circle tram to get to this Mexi-Melbourne stalwart
This sky-high saloon in the heart of the city has been in business for 11 years, but there’s something special about where it sits right now.
- by Dani Valent
This suburb has its own Chinese restaurant walk of fame, but this tiny gem is my favourite
Gee, you can eat well and have a beaut old time in the Kwok family’s company.
- by Callan Boys
These iconic Aussie restaurants’ anniversaries are worthy of celebration and recognition
It’s been quite the year for special birthdays, so crack open the champagne and raise your glass to these pioneers.
- by Terry Durack
Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-october-19-edition-20240813-p5k1yo.html