Celine Dion, Keith Urban, Chris Martin and more than 120 Australian and international artists came together Sunday night, Sept. 20, at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena for “The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend – The Celebration Concert,” honoring the career of Australian music icon John Farnham. The sold-out concert also raised funds for Head and Neck Cancer Australia as part of the organization’s Lend Your Voice campaign, which aims to raise $1 million over the next year.
Farnham, 77, was unable to attend the concert. His family recently announced that his health had deteriorated in recent months and that he now requires continuous oxygen support, uses a wheelchair for mobility and receives 24-hour nursing care at home. The singer has remained connected to the event through footage of his past performances shown throughout the evening.
Keith Urban traveled from Nashville to perform Farnham’s “Burn For You,” accompanying himself on guitar. The song was originally recorded by Farnham and won the 1991 ARIA Award for Song of the Year. Urban was joined on a lineup that included Jimmy Barnes, Tina Arena, Jessica Mauboy, Jon Stevens, Kate Ceberano, Human Nature, Diesel, Ross Wilson, Richard Marx, Vanessa Amorosi and others.
Dion appeared live via simulcast from Paris, where she performed Farnham’s signature “You’re the Voice” with four pipers accompanying her inside Rod Laver Arena. Dion recalled previously performing the song with Farnham during her 2018 Melbourne concert and described him as a deep inspiration.
Chris Martin was a surprise addition to the tribute, appearing remotely to perform a new song written specifically for Farnham, “Better Singer Than Me.” The Coldplay frontman based the song around a comment made by the late Australian cricketer Shane Warne, who had previously joked that Farnham was a better singer than Martin.
Hugh Jackman also appeared via simulcast, performing “Talk of the Town” and recalling Farnham’s influence on his own career as a performer. The concert additionally revisited Farnham’s work in musical theatre, with his former “Jesus Christ Superstar” co-stars Jon Stevens and Kate Ceberano performing “Everything’s Alright.”
Farnham’s son Rob also took the stage to perform “Love To Shine,” a song from his father’s landmark 1986 album “Whispering Jack.” Jimmy Barnes and his daughter Mahalia Barnes performed “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby,” reflecting the musical partnership between Barnes and Farnham that produced their 1991 album “Friends for Life.”
The concert concluded with the full cast returning for “You’re the Voice,” with Mitch Tambo and Ezekial Tambo beginning the performance in Gamilaraay language before the wider ensemble joined them. The finale was accompanied by 24 bagpipers as the audience joined in with Farnham’s best-known song.
The tribute also marked a significant night for Rod Laver Arena, where Farnham has performed 94 sold-out shows over his career. The one-night event was also screened in selected cinemas around Australia, allowing audiences outside Melbourne to watch the celebration.
