John Farnham’s son Rob says the Australian music legend continues to sing at home, despite undergoing multiple surgeries after being diagnosed with oral cancer.
The 77-year-old performer confirmed earlier this year that his health struggles meant he would not return to the live stage.
But speaking to A Current Affair on Friday, Farnham’s eldest son, Rob, 45, revealed that his father still regularly sings for his grandson, Jett.
“He’s so good, he’s back to his old self. You know, super-fast talking,” Rob said. “When I call, he’s like, ‘Hey Robbo, how are you, mate?’”
Rob said the “You’re the Voice” singer also spends plenty of time with Jett, the son of Farnham’s second child, James.
“He chases [Jett] around the house and plays with him. They sing little songs and give each other thumbs up,” Rob explained.
John Farnham’s, 77, son Rob, 45, has revealed the legendary musician still sings at home, despite undergoing several surgeries for oral cancer in recent years
“He sings to Jett all the time. He sings all the jingles on television. Every now and then, he’ll belt out a big note.”
“The voice is still there. It’s just that doing shows and big things like that isn’t something he can do. But he can still sing. He’ll never lose that.”
Farnham previously said the long-term impact of several operations on his mouth and jaw had made a return to performing impossible.
“We can rule that out,” he said.
“Because of the surgeries to my mouth and face over the past few years, singing on stage is not something I can consider again. It’s just not possible.”
Although he has retired from live performances, Farnham remains central to a major tribute concert honouring his career and supporting a cause personally important to him.
The Australian icon revealed earlier this year that he would never perform live again following his health issues
The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend – The Celebration Concert will be held at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on Sunday, with proceeds going to Head and Neck Cancer Australia.
The all-star line-up includes Celine Dion, Hugh Jackman, Keith Urban, Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Mahalia Barnes, Richard Marx, Kate Ceberano, Human Nature, Jessica Mauboy, Jon Stevens, Diesel, Mitch Tambo, Jack Jones, Mark Vincent, Ross Wilson, Hans and Ruby Rodgers.
Interest in the concert was immense, with tickets selling out just hours after they were released earlier this year.
Farnham was initially hesitant about holding a tribute show, but changed his position after organisers explained that it would raise funds for Australians affected by head and neck cancers.
The much-loved entertainer has called the backing from fellow musicians “truly humbling”.
Farnham’s health battle began after his wife, Jill, encouraged him to seek medical advice about a persistent ulcer in his mouth.
However, his oldest son Rob told A Current Affair on Friday that his famous father still belts out a tune at home for his grandson Jett
Doctors discovered a cancerous tumour, leading to a gruelling 12-hour operation in which surgeons removed part of his jaw and reconstructed sections of his face.
He later endured eight weeks of radiation treatment before eventually being declared cancer-free.
In his memoir, The Voice Inside, John revealed the devastating toll the surgeries had taken on the voice that made him one of Australia’s greatest performers.
He explained that the reconstruction left him unable to open his mouth properly and robbed him of the movement needed to produce the sounds required for singing, describing the experience as both painful and deeply confronting.
Fans will also have another opportunity to celebrate John’s remarkable legacy later this year when Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical premieres in Sydney.
Created to mark the 40th anniversary of his record-breaking album Whispering Jack, the production has been developed by Sydney Theatre Company, the Michael Cassel Group, TalentWorks and writer Jack Yabsley, and promises to honour the extraordinary life and career of one of Australia’s most cherished entertainers.
