Daniel Johns forces ABC to remove Silverchair documentary from iView

The former Silverchair frontman claims the ABC ignored his requests to not participate in a recent two-part series of Australian Story.

Silverchair’s Chris Joannou, Daniel Johns and Ben Gillies pose with their awards at the ARIA Awards back in 2007. Photo: WireImage

Daniel Johns claims the ABC breached copyright by using music he did not approve for a recent Australian Story episode.

Johns, the former frontman of the band Silverchair, said he was also not given the opportunity to “fact check” elements of the documentary which canvassed the singer’s health issues.

Johns was noticeably absent from the two-part episode which was broadcast on the ABC across two weeks recently to promote a new book by two of the band’s other members, Ben Gilles and Chris Joannou.

The first episode of A Silver Lining has now been removed from ABC’s online catch up platform, iView, due to licensing concerns.

“I said to Sony and the ABC that I would be open to approving all songs provided I received a copy of the book to ensure I wasn’t having my songs used to promote something I had no visibility on,” Johns said.

The ABC had approached Johns to be involved in the documentary which charted Silverchair’s meteoric rise from teenage musicians jamming in Newcastle to ARIA award-winning, international rock gods in the 1990s.

Johns refused to participate due to Gilles and Joannou refusing him an opportunity to read their book, Love & Pain, before appearing.

“I haven’t been involved in the book nor am I aware of the contents. I’ve asked on many occasions to read the book but haven’t been sent a copy, consequently I was uncomfortable being interviewed to help promote it,” Johns said.

Ben Gillies and Daniel Johns during their Silverchair days. Photo: ABC

Leigh Sales posted to her social media followers the first episode would be unavailable online due to licensing issues. Johns said “she later deleted this post and the ABC proceeded to feature the story on iView without a licence in place”.

Johns claimed he was approached by the ABC, via Silverchair’s label Sony Music, to clear seven songs for the project.

“Most of which were composed solely by me … One particular use related to Ana’s Song being featured as they discussed my battle with anorexia,” John said.

“I was told again that Ben and Chris would not give me a copy to read. That’s why the iView use was denied.”

Johns said despite his refusal and requests for removal, the first instalment of the episode remained available on iView for three days.

“I wish Chris and Ben nothing but success and happiness,” Johns said. “I have never sought to block their book, I merely asked to receive a copy in advance to fact check it. I was concerned about my personal health records being discussed, I don’t think that’s unreasonable.”

Daniel Johns responds to the ABC's Australian Story and host Leigh Sales. Photo: Instagram

An ABC spokeswoman said the door is always open for Johns to appear on Australian Story.

“We negotiated with Sony Music to licence the use of Silverchair’s music video clips in the program for broadcast and for ABC iview. Each band members’ approval was required. While Ben Gillies and Chris Joannou approved the use, Daniel Johns said he would only approve if he had access to an advance copy of their book, which was not a decision for the ABC or Australian Story.

“We made two versions of the program, one for broadcast TV with video clips and one for ABC iview which contained no clips but only music. Because Sony has queried this the ABC has since taken down part one from ABC iview and is reviewing its position,” she told The Australian.